ASTM D4648/D4648M-24
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for Saturated Fine-Grained Soil
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for Saturated Fine-Grained Soil
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The miniature vane shear test may be used to obtain estimates of the undrained shear strength of fine-grained soils. The test provides a rapid determination of the undrained shear strength on undisturbed, or remolded or reconstituted soils.
Note 2: Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias contained in this test method: The precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means for evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the miniature vane test in saturated fine-grained, cohesive clay and silt soils for the estimation of undrained shear strength. Knowledge of the nature of the soil in which each vane test is to be made is necessary for assessment of the applicability and interpretation of the test results. These test methods are not applicable to sandy soils or non-plastic silts, which may allow drainage during the test. These test methods are intended for soils which have an undrained shear strength less than 1.0 tsf [100 kPa].
Note 1: Vane failure conditions in higher strength clay and predominately silty soils may deviate from the assumed cylindrical failure surface, thereby causing error in the measured strength.
1.2 These test methods include the use of both conventional calibrated torque spring units (Method A) and electrical torque transducer units (Method B) with a motorized miniature vane shear device.
1.3 Laboratory vane is an ideal tool to investigate strength anisotropy in the vertical and horizontal directions, if suitable samples (specimens) are available.
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Reporting of test results in units other than inch-pound shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4648/D4648M − 24
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for Saturated
1
Fine-Grained Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4648/D4648M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.1 These test methods cover the miniature vane test in
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
saturated fine-grained, cohesive clay and silt soils for the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
estimation of undrained shear strength. Knowledge of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
nature of the soil in which each vane test is to be made is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
necessary for assessment of the applicability and interpretation
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
of the test results. These test methods are not applicable to
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sandy soils or non-plastic silts, which may allow drainage
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
during the test. These test methods are intended for soils which
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
have an undrained shear strength less than 1.0 tsf [100 kPa].
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE 1—Vane failure conditions in higher strength clay and predomi- Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
nately silty soils may deviate from the assumed cylindrical failure surface,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
thereby causing error in the measured strength.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 These test methods include the use of both conventional
calibrated torque spring units (Method A) and electrical torque 2. Referenced Documents
2
transducer units (Method B) with a motorized miniature vane
2.1 ASTM Standards:
shear device.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
1.3 Laboratory vane is an ideal tool to investigate strength
D1587/D1587M Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of
anisotropy in the vertical and horizontal directions, if suitable
Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes (Withdrawn
samples (specimens) are available.
3
2024)
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
[presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently
(Visual-Manual Procedures)
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
D2573/D2573M Test Method for Field Vane Shear Test in
result in non-conformance with the standard. Reporting of test
Saturated Fine-Grained Soils
results in units other than inch-pound shall not be regarded as
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
nonconformance with this standard.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used Used in Engineering Design and Construction
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound D4220/D4220M Practices for Preserving and Transporting
3
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass Soil Samples (Withdrawn 2023)
is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
(F = ma) calculations are involved.
cords in Geotechnical Data
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Compressibility of Soils. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2024. Published February 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4648/D4648M – 16. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D4648_D4648M-24. www.astm
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4648/D4648M − 16 D4648/D4648M − 24
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for Saturated
1
Fine-Grained Clayey Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4648/D4648M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the miniature vane test in very soft to stiff saturated fine-grained clayey soils (φ = 0). saturated
fine-grained, cohesive clay and silt soils for the estimation of undrained shear strength. Knowledge of the nature of the soil in
which each vane test is to be made is necessary for assessment of the applicability and interpretation of the test results.
NOTE 1—It is recommended that the miniature vane test be conducted in fine-grained, predominately clay soils with an undrained shear strength less than
1.0 tsf [100 kPa]. Vane failure conditions in higher strength clay and predominantly silty soils may deviate from the assumed cylindrical failure surface,
thereby causing error in the measured strength.These test methods are not applicable to sandy soils or non-plastic silts, which may allow
drainage during the test. These test methods are intended for soils which have an undrained shear strength less than 1.0 tsf [100
kPa].
NOTE 1—Vane failure conditions in higher strength clay and predominately silty soils may deviate from the assumed cylindrical failure surface, thereby
causing error in the measured strength.
1.2 These test methods include the use of both conventional calibrated torque spring units (Method A) and electrical torque
transducer units (Method B) with a motorized miniature vane shear device.
1.3 Laboratory vane is an ideal tool to investigate strength anisotropy in the vertical and horizontal directions, if suitable samples
(specimens) are available.
1.4 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.4 The values stated in either SIinch-pound units or inch-pound units SI units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately
as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Reporting of test results
in units other than inch-pound shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F =
ma) calculations are involved.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
Compressibility of Soils.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Jan. 15, 2024. Published January 2016February 2024. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20132016 as
D4648/D4648M – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D4648_D4648M-16.16. DOI: 10.1520/D4648_D4648M-24.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4648/D4648M − 24
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained F
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.