Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus

STANDART: ASTM D6951

LT-S0100 Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus

LT-S0102 Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus

PRODUCT DETAILS

The Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus is designed for rapid determination of the undrained shear strength of soft, saturated and cohesive fine-grained soils. The system measures the torque required to rotate a vane inserted into the soil specimen until shear failure occurs.

Undrained shear strength testing: Suitable for soft cohesive clay and silt specimens.
Manual and motorized models: LT-S0100 manual and LT-S0102 motorized versions are available.
Standard vane: Supplied with a 12.7 × 12.7 mm square vane.
Calibrated spring system: Allows applied torque to be evaluated during testing.
Direct specimen testing: Can be used directly on prepared soil specimens.
Sampling tube testing: Suitable attachments support Ø38 mm and Ø100 mm sampling tubes.
BS test speed: Motorized configuration can operate at 6–12°/min.
ASTM test speed: ASTM configuration operates at 60–90°/min.
Compact construction: Suitable for both laboratory and selected site applications.
Manual model weight: Approximately 11 kg.
Motorized model weight: Approximately 20 kg.
Product codes: LT-S0100 and LT-S0102.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Product Code	Product Name	Dimensions	Weight (kg)
LT-S0100	Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus	240 × 210 × 50*	11
LT-S0102	Motorized Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus	62 × 25 × 65 cm	20

TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

Description

What Is a Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus?

The Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus is designed to determine the undrained shear strength of soft, saturated and cohesive fine-grained soils. The method is particularly useful when specimens are too soft or sensitive for conventional specimen preparation.

During testing, a vane is inserted into the soil specimen and rotated at a controlled rate. The torque required to cause shear failure is measured. This value is then used to estimate the soil’s undrained shear strength.

ASTM D4648/D4648M-24a specifically covers laboratory miniature vane testing of saturated fine-grained cohesive clay and silt soils. The method is intended primarily for soils with undrained shear strength below approximately 100 kPa.

12.7 mm Square Vane and Calibrated Springs

The standard configuration uses a 12.7 × 12.7 mm square vane together with calibrated springs.

The selected spring reacts to the torque applied during rotation. This allows the operator to determine the load required to produce shear failure in the specimen.

Similar laboratory vane systems based on the original UK Transport and Road Research Laboratory design also use a 12.7 mm square vane and calibrated torque springs.

Direct and Sampling Tube Testing

Testing can be performed directly on a prepared soil specimen. Alternatively, the sample can remain inside a sampling tube.

Attachments for Ø38 mm and Ø100 mm sampling tubes allow the apparatus to accommodate different laboratory sample configurations. This arrangement can reduce unnecessary specimen disturbance before the test.

Manual and Motorized Models

Liya Test offers the LT-S0100 manual model and the LT-S0102 motorized model.

The motorized arrangement provides controlled vane rotation. The BS configuration uses approximately 6–12°/min, while the ASTM laboratory vane configuration uses approximately 60–90°/min. These speed ranges are consistent with established laboratory vane equipment configurations.

ASTM D4648 and BS 1377-7

The correct ASTM reference for this product family is ASTM D4648/D4648M, not ASTM D6951.

ASTM D6951 covers the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer used in pavement applications, so it should be removed from this product page.

BS 1377-7 also includes a laboratory vane procedure for determining the shear strength of soft to firm cohesive soils.

Overall, the Laboratory Vane Shear Apparatus provides a compact and practical method for assessing the undrained shear strength of soft cohesive soils using either manual or controlled motorized operation.