ASTM D8121/D8121M-19
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the Handheld Vane Shear Device
Standard Test Method for Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the Handheld Vane Shear Device
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The handheld shear vane method provides a rapid method of measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of a fine-grained, cohesive soil either in the field or laboratory. This standard does not supplement or replace D4648.
5.2 The device is intended for use in saturated cohesive soils for determining their approximate undrained shear strength. Cohesive soils with appreciable amounts of silt or fine sand may experience some degree of drainage during shear and adversely affect the results.
Note 2: The user will probably not know at the time of testing if the material is saturated. However, that would not preclude using the device for less than saturated conditions based on the knowledge and experience of the user.
5.3 The presence of coarse materials or heterogeneous soils within the testing volume will adversely affect the results and may preclude the use of this test method.
5.4 The handheld shear vane test is not used to duplicate any particular field conditions but supplements the overall investigative program. However, consistent physical parameters are used in the test such that correlations of shear strength data can be made to evaluate variability of a deposit, assess sample quality, assist in planning of laboratory testing programs, and to classify the consistency.
Note 3: The quality of the result produced by this standard 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/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes approximating the shear strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear device.
1.2 The device allows for a simple and portable method for measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of saturated, fine-grained, cohesive soils. The test method can be used in the field or in the laboratory, on the ends of sample tubes, on the surface of block samples or excavations, or on the surface of other test specimens with rigid confinement.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units [given 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. Tables of critical dimensions and tolerances of the described vanes are provided in separate units of inches and mm.
Note 1: The original shear vane device was developed when shear strength was often reported in tons per square foot (TSF) or kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm2) which are approximately equivalent. These units have prevailed within the industry and are adopted herein.
1.4 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.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this test method to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
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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: D8121/D8121M − 19
Standard Test Method for
Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the
1
Handheld Vane Shear Device
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8121/D8121M; 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 of this test method to consider significant digits used in
analysis methods for engineering design.
1.1 This test method describes approximating the shear
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
device.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 The device allows for a simple and portable method for
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
saturated, fine-grained, cohesive soils. The test method can be
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
used in the field or in the laboratory, on the ends of sample
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tubes, on the surface of block samples or excavations, or on the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
surface of other test specimens with rigid confinement.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
SI units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently 2. Referenced Documents
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
result in non-conformance with the standard. Tables of critical
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
dimensions and tolerances of the described vanes are provided
Fluids
in separate units of inches and mm.
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
NOTE 1—The original shear vane device was developed when shear
strength was often reported in tons per square foot (TSF) or kilograms per D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
2
square centimeter (kg/cm ) which are approximately equivalent. These
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
units have prevailed within the industry and are adopted herein.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D4648 Test Methods for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Test for SaturatedFine-Grained Clayey Soil
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
3. Terminology
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
3.1 Definitions:
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
3.1.1 For common definitions of technical terms used in this
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
test method, refer to Terminology D653.
ations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
3.2.1 vane multiplier (VM), n—a multiplier to correct the
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
vane’sdialreadingbasedonthestandard(mid-size)vanetothe
larger or smaller vane (4.2).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
2
Compressibility of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D8121/D8121M – 18. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D8121_D8121M-19 the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr H
...
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: D8121/D8121M − 18 D8121/D8121M − 19
Standard Test Method for
Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the
1
Handheld Vane Shear Device
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8121/D8121M; 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 This test method describes approximating the shear strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear device.
1.2 The device allows for a simple and portable method for measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of saturated,
fine-grained, cohesive soils. The test method can be used in the field or in the laboratory, on the ends of sample tubes, on the surface
of block samples or excavations, or on the surface of other test specimens with rigid confinement.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units [given 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. Tables of critical dimensions and
tolerances of the described vanes are provided in separate units of inches and mm.
NOTE 1—The original shear vane device was developed when shear strength was often reported in tons per square foot (TSF) or kilograms per square
2
centimeter (kg/cm ) which are approximately equivalent. These units have prevailed within the industry and are adopted herein.
1.4 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.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures
used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s
objectives, and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these
considerations. It is beyond the scope of this test method to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering
design.
1.5 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.
1.6 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 Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4648 Test Methods for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for SaturatedFine-Grained Clayey Soil
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
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 June 1, 2018May 1, 2019. Published July 2018June 2019. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
D8121/D8121M – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D8121_D8121M-1810.1520/D8121_D8121M-19
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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