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IS : 2720 (Part XXX) - 1980

(Reaffirmed 2011)
(Reaffirmed 2016)
Indian Standard (Reaffirmed 2021)

METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS

(Reaffirmed 2015)
PART XXX LABORATORY VANE SHEAR TEST

(First Revision)
(Reaffirmed 2014)
Third Reprint JULY 2004

UDC 624.131.377
(Reaffirmed 2013)

(Reaffirmed 2012)

(Reaffirmed 2011)

(Reaffirmed 2010)

(Reaffirmed 2009)

© Copyright 1980 (Reaffirmed 2008)

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
(Reaffirmed 2007)

Gr 2 December 1980

(Reaffirmed 2006)
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IS. 2720 ( Part XXX) .1980

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART xxx LABORATORY VANE SHEAR TEST

( First Revision)
Soil Engineering and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee, BDC 23

Chatrman Representing
DR JAOUISH NAIlAIN University of Roorkee, Roorkee

Members
ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR, IRI Irriganon Department, Government of Bihar,
Pat na
ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR Rfl:8f'ARCH Mlnutry of Railways
l,
( F. E. RDSQ
DEPUTY DIRECTOR RE8FARcH
( SOlI, Mzort ), RD.)O (Alternale)
PROF ALAM SINon Umversjt y of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
COL AVTAR ::"NOU Lngi neer-m-Chref ts Branch, Army Headquarters
LT-COL V K. KANITKAR ( Alternate )
DR A. BA!'of'I!JFE Cernindra Co Ltd, Bombay
SURI s, GuP rA ( Alternau )
DB R. K. BHANDAnI Central BUilding Research Institute, Roorkee
CHIEF ENGINEER ( B&R ) Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
On G. S. 0111 IIon ( Alternate )
SHill M. G. DANnAvATE The Concrete Assocratron of India, Bombay
SIIRI N. C. DUGOUL (Allnnate)
Snnr A. G. DASTIDAR In personal capacity (5 lJungtrford Court, 12/1
Hungerford Street, Calcutta 700017 )
DR G. S. DHILLON Indian Geotechmcal Society, New Delhi
DIRECTOIl, JRI Irrrgatron Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Roorkee

@ Copyright 1980
BUREAU OF INDIAN SfANDARDS
This publication is protected under the Indian CoPYflght Act (XIV of 1957) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except wuh written permission of til"
publisher shaH be deemed to be an infringement of copy fight under the ,aId Act.
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18 I 2720 ( Part XXX) • 1980

( Cofll",wd from POI' I )

Members Repres,nllng
SJlIU A H lJlvANJI Asia Foundations & Construcuon (P) Ltd,
Bombay
SHIU A. N. JANGLE ( Alternate)
PnoF GOPAL RANJAN University of Roorkee, Roorkee
PHO!' GOPAL RANJAN Insruunon of Engineers ( India), Calcutta
DR SUA8HI K. GUI,IfATI Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR G. B RAO ( Alternate)
SU1\I O. P. MALUOTRA Public Works Department, Chandigarh Adminis-
tration, Chandigarh
SUIlI T. K. NA'rRAJAN Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi
Pili 81l>FNT ( IMDA) All India Instrument Manufacturers & Dealers
Association, Bombay
DIPI]TY 51rCIlIrrAilY ( AlIMDA ) (Alternate)
~JJ III H V It I '1T'IIDP'V IN Cr-ntr al W.lter Commission, New Delhi
Dur-u r v Dr n i« Ifill (C'lMR'» (Alternllte)
R,cYI'AIl( If O~ I ' l l ' Il ( B&RRL ) Public Works Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandruar h
Su n r K R SAXINA Public Work, Depart menr, Government of Andhr a
I'r ad esh, Hydvr abad
~1 (I<I r s u v C.entral Board of Irrrganon & Power, New Delhi
DI I'll I Y Si« UnAllY ( Alternate)
Su u r N ~IVA!lITllU Roads Wmg, Mirua tr y of Sluppmg & Transport
5111<1 D V ~JKKA ( Alternate )
Sum K. S. ~1"'1IVA~AN Nat ion.rl Buildrngs Orgaruzatron, New Delhi
~II'U Su vt r BEIWY (AII"nllte)
~II'IIlINI"NVJNO L NO INK E R Pub lie Works Department, Government of Tarnrl
( P&D ) Nadu, Madra,
I'XI'CI1T1VIl. ENOINElm ( ~MRD ) ( Alternate)
~IlIU H. C VEllMA All India Instrument Manufacturers & Dealers
Association, Bombay
SnRI H. K GUHA (Alternate)
SHill S. D. VlDYARTIlI Public Works Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
DIl Il L. DUAWAN ( Alternare )
SIJIlI G. RAMAN, Director General, lSI (Ex-officIO Memlllr )
DIrector (Civ Engg )

S"rlta~

SURI K. M. MATHUR
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), lSI

( Cofll"uud on page 8 )

2
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IS 12720 (Part XXX) .1980

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART XXX LABORATORY VANE SHEAR TEST

( First Revision)
O. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part XXX) (First Revision) was adopted
by the Indian Standards Institution on 31 October 1980, after the draft
finalized by the Soil and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 The laboratory vane shear test for the measurement of shear strength
of cohesive soils is useful for soils of low shear strength of less than about
0'5 kgf/cm l . This test gives the undrained strength of the soil and the
undisturbed and rernoulded strengths obtained are used for eva lua ti ng the
sensitivity of the soil. This standard was first published in the year 1968.
This revision has been prepared to incorporate revised shape of vane
found useful for this test.
0.3 In reporting the result of a test of analysis made in accordance with
this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.

I. SCOPE
1.1 This standard (Part XXX) covers the procedure of conducting
laboratory vane shear test on cohesive soils of low shear strength for
determining their undrained shear strength.

2. APPARATUS
2.1 Vane - The vane shall consist of four blades each fixed at 90° to the
adjacent blades as illustrated in Fig. I. The vane should not deform
under the maximum torque for which it is designed. The penetrating
----------
• Rules for rounding off numerical val ues ( rtVlud).

3
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IS I 2720 ( Part XXX) • 1980

edge of the vane blades shall be sharpened having an included angle of

900. The vane blades shall be welded together suitably to a central rod,
the maximum diameter of which should preferably not exceed 2 5 mm in
the portion of the rod which goes into the specimen during the test. The
vane should be pr oper ly treated to prevent rusting and corrosion.

p
p

60

-i 24 ~ 0 25

~
-~ 1--2'5 ¢

All dirnensrons in millimetres.

Essential drrnensiom underhncd.
FlO. 1 PRINCIPLE OF VANE SHEAR TEST

4
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18 I 2720 ( Part XXX ) ·1980

2.2 The apparatus may be either of the hand-operated type or motorized.

Provisions should be made in the apparatus for the following:
a) Fixing of vane and shaft to the apparatus in such a way that
the vane can be lowered gradually and vertically into the soil
specimen.
b) Fixing the tube containing the soil specimen to the base of the
equipment for which it should have suitable hole.
c) Arrangement for lowering the vane into the soil specimen
( contained in the tube fixed to the base) gradually and vertically
and for holding the vane properly and securely in the lowered
position.
d) Arrangement for rotating the vane steadily at a rate of approxi-
mately 1/60 rev/min (O'lo/s) and for measuring the rotation of
the vane.
e) A torque applicator to rotate the vane in the soil and a device for
measuring the torque applied to an accuracy of 0'05 cm.kgf.
f) A set of springs capable of measuring shear strength of
0'5 kgf/cm l .
2.2.1 A typical form of the hand operated apparatus is shown in Fig 2.

3. PROCEDURE

3.1 The specimen in the tube should be at least 37'5 mm in diameter and
75 mm long. Mount the specimen container with the specimen on the
base of the vane shear apparatus and fix it securely to the base. If the
specimen container is closed at one end it should be provided at the
bottom with a hole of about I rnrn diameter. Lower the shear vanes into the
specimen to their full length gradually with minimum disturbance of the
soil specimen so that the top of the vane is at least 10 mm below the top
of the specimen. Note the readings of the strain and torque indicators.
Rotate the vane at a uniform rate approximately 0'1 o/s by suitably operat-
ing the torque applicator handle until the specimen fails. Note the final
reading of the torque indicator. Torque readings and the corresponding
strain readings may also be noted at desired intervals of time as the test
proceeds.

3.2 Just after the determination of the maximum torque rotate the vane
rapidly through a minimum of ten revolutions. The remoulded strength
should then be determined within I minute after completion of the
revolution.

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IS I 2720 ( Part XXX) • 1980

-9

PLAN OF GEAR
SYSTEM

~~~;tJ~=12
'~r 13

----14
17

Irt------I.5

~-----~

TIll, j, only a t)plca[ r xarnplr- and any design or appar atus sati'f) mg the
requirements 'peClIIl'd 11\ 2 may be usvd.

1 Base 10 Torque sptiu~

2 Lead serew 11 Locating pins
3 Nut 12 Strain ind « al i"g pointer
4 Support pillar 13 Maxi mum pointer
5 Lead screw handle 14 Van .. fixing screw
6 Ge"r bracket 15 ~IH ar vane-s
7 Torque applicator handle 16 Normal sp-ed gear
II Slow motion bevel & work gears 17 Gear bracket clamp screws
9 Dr..lckt't

FIG. 2 LABORATORY VANE SHEAR ApPARATUS

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IS : 2720 ( Part XXX ) • 1980

4. COMPUTATIONS
4.1 For vane testing instruments that do not read tile torque directly, a
calibration curve to convert the readings to em k~f of torque shall be
provided. These calibration curves shall be checked periodically.
4.2 Calculate the shear strength of the soil using the following formula:
S=}T
19
where
S = shear strength in kgf/cm 2 , and
T =torque in cm.kgf.
NOlL 1 - This Ior ruul.i IS b"oeJ on the follo\\wg ,'''''filp1l0n.:
a) Shr-ar iug vtrerigt hs in I he hor izon t al .mrl v e rt« al d IT! ciIOIlS are the
sarnr;
b) At til!' peak valui , shear st n ng t h i, cqu.u ly mulnhz cd at the end
s ur fai.e as wr II as at rh« cr ntr e , aud
c) The shear surface I> cy hndric al and has a d iarn etr r "qual to the
d rarn eter of the vane.
N01J" 2 - II IS Important that the d nnensrons 01 the vane arc chr-cked perrodi-
cally to ensure that the vane is not drstor n.d or wor n ,

7
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IS I 2720 (Part XXX ) • 1980

( Con/i_d from pa" 2 )

Soil Testing Procedures and Equipment Subcommittee, BOG 23:3

Convener IUpm,nting
PROI' ALAM SINOH University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
MmlbfrS

SIlBI AMAR SINon Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee

DEPUTY DIll ECTOR REBEAllCH Ministry of Railways
(}<'E-Il ), RDSO
DEPUTY DJJlECTOR RESEARCH
( SM-Ill ), RDSa (Alternale )
DmEcToR ( CSMRS ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
Dl':l'uTY DIRr,;CTrm ( CSMRS ) ( Alternate )
PROF COPAr. RANJAN University of Roorkee, Roorkee
Dn S. C. HANDA ( Alumau )
DR SllABIII K. GULllATI Indian Institut e of Technology, New Delhi
SURI H. K. GUllA Geologists Syndicate Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
SIIRI H. N. BIIATTACl1ARAYA (Alternat,)
Snnr O. P. MAl.llOTRA Public Works Department, Chandigarh Adminis-
tration
SURI M. D. NAIR Associated Instruments Manufacturers ( I ) Pvt
Ltd, New Delhi
PnOF T. S. NAOAIUJ ( Alternate)
SHRI N. M. PATEL Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi
SHill P. JAGANA'I'lIA RAO Central Road Research Institute, New Dclh i
COL AVTAR SINOH Engmeer-in-Chief's Branch, Army Headquarters
LT-COL V. K, KANITKAR ( Alternate )
SaRI S. D. VlDYARTIl1 Public Works Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
Dn B. L. DHAWAN (A/lnnate)

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