SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP10319S

The In-Situ Measurement of the Undrained Shear Strength of Clays Using the Field Vane

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A brief review of the standard dimensions, insertion procedures, and rates of rotation of the field vane is followed by consideration of those factors that influence the undrained shear strength measured by the field vane. These factors include the disturbance effects of vane insertion, the consequences of a “rest” period before shear, strain-rate effects, the rotation rate necessary to ensure undrained conditions during shear, and the method of calculation of cu. Following a discussion of the relative magnitude of cu, measured by the field vane, it is concluded that there is a consistent relationship with other measures of cu, depending on the plasticity index, provided the other strength measurements are made on specimens reconsolidated to the in-situ stresses. After consideration of a number of case records reported in the literature, it is suggested that for “standard” clays the approximate expression, cuσv = S1 (OCR)0.95, may be useful as a check on the measured field vane strength, or as an estimate of OCR. In this equation the strength ratio S1 = (cuv) is that given by Bjerrum for “Young” clays, for which OCR ≅ 1.0.

Author Information

Chandler, RJ
Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 13–44
DOI: 10.1520/STP10319S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5030-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1188-2