ASTM_D_4648_-_D_4648M_-_13.pdf

Designation:D4648/D4648M13Standard Test Method forLaboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for SaturatedFine-Grained Clayey Soil1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4648/D4648M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the miniature vane test in verysoft to stiff saturated fine-grained clayey soils(=0).Knowl-edge of the nature of the soil in which each vane test is to bemade is necessary for assessment of the applicability andinterpretation of the test results.NOTE1It is recommended that the miniature vane test be conductedin fine-grained,predominately clay soils with an undrained shear strengthless than 1.0 tsf 100 kPa.Vane failure conditions in higher strength clayand predominantly silty soils may deviate from the assumed cylindricalfailure surface,thereby causing error in the measured strength.1.2 This test method includes the use of both conventionalcalibrated torque spring units(Method A)and electrical torquetransducer units(Method B)with a motorized miniature vaneshear device.1.3 Laboratory vane is an ideal tool to investigate strengthanisotropy in the vertical and horizontal directions,if suitablesamples(specimens)are available.1.4 All measured and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils forGeotechnical PurposesD2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils(Visual-Manual Procedure)D2573 Test Method for Field Vane Shear Test in CohesiveSoilD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting SoilSamplesD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalData3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 torquethe product of the magnitude of a force andthe perpendicular distance of the line of action of the forcefrom a specified axis of rotation.3.1.2 torque springan elastic spring that can be calibratedto provide a measure of torque that is proportional to therotation(about a central longitudinal axis)of one end of thespring relative to a fixed condition at the opposite end of thespring.3.1.3 torque transduceran electronic measuring devicethat can be calibrated to provide a measure of torque.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The miniature vane shear test consists of inserting afour-bladed vane in the end of an undisturbed tube sample orremolded sample and rotating it at a constant rate to determinethe torque required to cause a cylindrical surface to be shearedby the vane.This torque is then converted to a unit shearing1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength andCompressibility of Soils.Current edition approved Feb.1,2013.Published March 2013.Originallyapproved in 1987.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D4648/D4648M 10.DOI:10.1520/D4648_D4648M-13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 resistance of the cylindrical surface area.The torque is mea-sured by a calibrated torque spring or torque transducer that isattached directly to the vane.5.Significance and Use5.1 The miniature vane shear test may be used to obtainestimates of the undrained shear strength of fine-grained soils.The test provides a rapid determination of the shear strength onundisturbed,or remolded or reconstituted soils.NOTE2Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-tained in this test method:The precision of this test method is dependenton the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of theequipment and fac