H-10 Field Vane Shear Apparatus

SL842
Impact Test Equipment Ltd
www.impact-test.co.uk & www.impact-test.com

User Guide
User Guide

Impact Test Equipment Ltd.

Building 21 Stevenston Ind. Est.
Stevenston
Ayrshire
KA20 3LR
T: 01294 602626
F: 01294 461168
E: sales@impact-test.co.uk

Test Equipment Web Site

www.impact-test.co.uk
Test Sieves & Accessories Web Site
www.impact-test.com

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

H-10
FIELD SHEAR VANE BORER

CONTENTS
1 PURPOSE .................................................................................... 1
2 DESCRIPTION ........................................................................ 1
2.1 Vane borer ...................................................................................................... 1
2.2 Vane borer instrument ............................................................................................ 1
2.2.1 Equipment for the instrument ............................................................................... 1
2.2.2 Principles and function .......................................................................................... 2

3 WORKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VANE BORER AND

INSTRUMENT .................................................................................. 3
3.1 Vane borer ........................................................................................................... 3
3.1.1 Assembly .................................................................................................. 3
3.1.2 Control ..................................................................................................... 4
3.1.3 Driving ..................................................................................................... 4
3.1.4 Preparation for measurements ................................................................................... 4
3.2 Vane boring instrument ........................................................................................... 4
3.2.1 To dismantle the instrument .................................................................................. 4
3.2.2 Zero adjustment ................................................................................................ 5
3.2.3 Mounting and clamping ........................................................................................ 5
3.2.4 Loading and reading ............................................................................................. 6
3.2.5 Undisturbed shear strength ..................................................................................... 6
3.2.6 Remoulded shear strength ....................................................................................... 6
3.2.7 Removing the instrument ....................................................................................... 6
3.2.8 Taking up the vane ................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Maintenance .............................................................................................................. 7
3.3.1 Vane borer .............................................................................................................. 7
3.3.2 Instrument .............................................................................................................. 7

4 OPTION - ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE

4.1 Operating instructions

4.2 Reading

7
8

4.3 Updating

4.4 Caution

5 COMPONENT LIST FOR PART NO. 23000 (H-10) VANE

BORER FOR 30 M DEPTH, COMPLETE .............................................9
6 COMPONENT LIST FOR PART NO. 23500 (H-300) LOWER
PART FOR VANE BORER, COMPLETE .............................. 10
Enclosures:
H-10 part list with drawings

PURPOSE

The vane borer instrument, together with the vane borer, is used for in situ
measurements of the undrained shear strength in clays for short-time stability
calculations.

2 DESCRIPTION
2.1 Vane borer
The main part of the vane borer is the vane which is secured to a steel rod by
welding. There are two vane sizes, which are interchangeable. In order to avoid
adherence between the vane rod and the clay during rotation of the vane, the rod is
protected by a protection tube. To reduce friction in the system, the space between
the rod and the protection tube is filled with grease under pressure and a thrust
ball-bearing is placed between the coupling piece and the protection tube.
During penetration, the vane is withdrawn into the protection shoe and locked in this
position by the retaining spring which is pressed into the groove in the locking
sleeve. The vane is unlocked by a blow on the extension rod.
The vane is extended with 16 mm diameter rods and the housing with 36 mm
diameter pipes, both of one metre length.

2.2 Vane borer instrument

The purpose of the instrument is to set up shear stresses in the clay at the vane and
to measure the torque on the vane at failure.

2.2.1 Equipment for the instrument

Qty

Equiment
2 handles
1 crank handle

Item No.
23 106
For S.no. 0 to 1500: 23103
For S.no. from 1500: 23104

1 hexagonal adaptor and extension piece 23 102

1 tommy bar 11 mm diameter

23 105

1 liner for 36 mm diameter pipes

24 000

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2.2.2 Principles and function

The instrument consists mainly of the following components:
1.

The stem with a clamping device.

2.

The instrument's torque-transmitting shaft.

3.

Housing containing the measuring spring

4.

The reading dial position on top of the spring housing

5.

Gearbox with double wormgear - for instruments with serial numbers 1000 1500 the reduction is 1/3600, for serial numbers from 1500 the reduction is
1/1800.

Re 1.

The stem is the backbone of the instrument around which the instrument
is built. The stem also acts as a foot, anchoring the instrument to the
outer pipe by means of a clamp.

Re 2.

The instrument's torque-transmitting shaft can be seen through the slots

in the stem below the gearbox. The shaft is ball-bearing mounted inside
the stem and connected to the measuring spring. It is free and fits into
the hexagonal adaptor.

Re 4.

The spring housing is mounted on the stem in bush-bearings. The

measuring spring, being of a circular type with rectangular cross-section,
is incorporated between the spring housing and the shaft. By turning the
spring housing a torque will, therefore, be transmitted from this to the
shaft via the spring.
The spring will deform corresponding to the torque transmitted. The
spring deformation is registered on the dial.
The vanes and the vane borer are designed for a maximum torque of
6000 Ncm. The standard instrument is therefore delivered with a
6000 Ncm spring. With this spring and the standard vanes, the following
shear-stresses can be measured:
Vane 55 x 110 from 0 to 100 kPa
Vane 65 x 130 from 0 to 60 kPa
The spring housing is fitted with two external sockets for the handles
enabling the housing to be rotated directly.

Re 4.

The reading dial is positioned in the lid of the spring housing. The dial
contains two hands. The red hand indicates at any time the spring
deformation, while the white hand merely is a slave hand following the
first and indicating the maximum reading.

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Re 5.

The gearbox is mounted rigidly to the stem. For instruments with serial
numbers from 1000 to 1500 the reduction will be 1/3600, for serial
numbers from 1500 the reduction is 1/1800.
A crank handle fits into the ingoing shaft of the reduction gear.
The spring housing can be rotated clockwise by means of the crank
handle. The gear will reduce the crank speed by 3600 or 1800 depending
on the serial number.
A ratchet wheel and pawl allow the spring housing to be rotated clockwise
independent of the gear.

3 WORKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VANE

BORER AND INSTRUMENT
3.1 Vane borer
3.1.1 Assembly
Place the bushing (23503) and the rubber packing (23504) in position in the
protection shoe (vane shoe) (23501). Screw the vane tube guide (23800) loosely
into the vane shoe (23501). Insert the vane protection tube (23505) through the
vane tube guide (23800), rubber packing (23504), bushing (23503) and vane shoe
(23501). Slide the vane rod into position through the vane protection tube (23505).
Locate the thrust ball-bearing (23506) and screw the vane rod on to the locking
piece (23600). Place the protection shoe over the vane and screw the locking piece
(23600) tightly on to the vane (23502 or 23521). Inject grease in the nipple on the
locking piece (23600) until grease extrudes from the bottom end of the protection
tube (23505). Screw the vane tube guide (23800) tightly on to the vane shoe (23501)
and then to the cover tube (23510) to vane tube guide (23800), and the locking tube
(23507) and ring (23508) onto the cover tube (23510). The locking tube (23507) and
ring (23508) is so located that the spring (23603) at the locking piece (23600) goes
into the socket at the locking tube (23507),when the vane is inside the shoe. Secure
with the locking ring (23508). Inject grease in the nipple on the vane tube guide
(23800). Finally screw the adaptor (23509) on to the cover tube (23510). The lower
section is now mounted.

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3.1.2 Control
With the short steel rod (24300) in position in the locking piece (23600), screw on a
1 m steel rod (41111) and 1 m outer pipe (41101) (on to the lower part of the vane
borer without a coupling (41100). Screw the hexagonal adaptor (23102) on to the
steel rod. Take out the vane by placing the tommy bar (23105) mounted in the
instrument case in the bottom of the adaptor, and knocking this carefully with a
heavy hammer. If everything is assembled correctly, the vane should reach 50 cm
outside the cover, and the instrument should be in place on the pipe and in the
socket. Check that the vane can be rotated without noticeable friction.

3.1.3 Driving
Lock the vane in place inside the protection shoe, and press the vane borer down to
the required depth, using a hydraulic rig. Alternatively a rack jack or a tripod
arrangement with anchoring frame and earth screws may be used.
NB: The vane borer is not designed for hammering

3.1.4 Preparation

for measurements

When the vane borer is at the required depth, screw on the hexagonal adaptor
(23102) to the inner rod (41111/-110), place the tommy bar (23105) horizontally
through the adaptor and line it up with a distant point (this to ensure easy re-entering
of the vane into the protection shoe). Insert the above mentioned tommy bar (23105)
vertically in the adaptor. A blow on top of the hexagonal adaptor (23102) with a
hammer will knock the vane out of the locking device, and drive the inner rod
downwards (approx. 50 cm) until the vane is in place.
NB: Do not turn the inner rod during driving

3.2 Vane boring instrument

3.2.1 To dismantle the instrument
Unscrew the three countersunk screws that secure the cover to the spring housing
and remove the cover, complete with dial and glass, from the instrument.

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NB: The cover is located by dowel pins. The measuring spring and recording
mechanism are now accessible. Remove the bracket that carries the
pointer. Then remove the two screws that secure the measuring spring
to the spring-housing. The taper pin is then driven out from the spring
arm and the spring arm drawn off the main shaft complete with the
spring
Remove the Seegerring, and the spring housing can be lifted up. The gearbox is
now uncovered. For taking out the gears, start by unscrewing the setscrew under the
ingoing shaft (underneath the crank handle), and pull out the cap with the smaller
wormgear. Unscrew the three screws for the larger cap and the shaft with the
wormwheel and gear comes out. The big wormwheel can now be lifted up.

3.2.2 Zero adjustment

Adjust the zero reading at regular intervals, at least once for every bore hole. Before
mounting the instrument, place a screw driver in the slot (on the foot) and secure the
hexagonal torque-transmitting shaft while the spring housing is rotated clockwise
until the hands respond. The red hand is allowed to return slowly and the scale is set
to zero as follows:
The setscrew positioned immediately below the dial on the outside of the
instrument's lid is unscrewed and the dial is turned so that zero coincides with the
hand.
NB: Take care to retighten the setscrew

3.2.3 Mounting and clamping

Ensure that the wingscrews are sufficiently far out to allow the instrument to enter on
the outer pipe. Place the instrument carefully on top of the pipe ensuring that the
main shaft enters the adaptor on top of the inner rods.
NB: Be careful not to twist or bump the hexagonal adaptor, as this can disturb
the clay at the vane, thereby giving incorrect values of the undisturbed
shear strength

NB: When the instrument sits properly on the pipe, fasten the three
wingscrews. If large readings are expected, it is necessary to lock the
outer pipe to prevent it from rotating counterclockwise during loading

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NB: The three clamp screws, retaining the instrument to the outer casing
tube, must be screwed up tight to prevent the instrument from slipping,
otherwise this can damage the pointer spindle. The energy stored in the
measuring spring will be released causing a very high acceleration on
the pointer

3.2.4 Loading and reading

The preferable way of obtaining accurate readings is by means of the crank handle.

3.2.5

Undisturbed shear strength

Push the crank handle as far as possible into the crank opening on the gearbox and
turn the crank clockwise until it grips the gear.
NB: Always rotate the crank clockwise
Rotate the crank clockwise with as constant a speed as possible: 1 rev/sec. is
recommended. The spring housing will then rotate 0.1 per sec. for instruments with
serial number below 1500, respectively 0.2 per sec. for serial numbers over 1500.
Watch the hands in the dial. When the hands stop and the red one returns, failure is
obtained in the clay at the vane.
Take all readings off the white hand and note them together with the depth, boring
position etc. Compare these readings with the calibration curve for the instrument
and read off the undisturbed shear strength.

3.2.6

Remoulded shear strength

Rotate the vane by rotating the spring housing with the handle bars, 25 complete
revolutions. Use the crank handle and take two readings at 90 to each other to
check a possible non-verticality in the system. Record the smaller reading.

3.2.7 Removing the instrument

Unscrew the wingscrews and lift off the instrument.

3.2.8 Taking up the vane

Place the tommy bar in the hexagonal adaptor. Line up to the same point as before
and push the vane sharply into its housing.

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NB: Make sure that the retaining spring has engaged in the slot before
proceeding to the next depth

3.3 Maintenance
3.3.1 Vane borer
Grease should be injected into the nipples for each bore hole. The whole vane borer
should be completely dismantled and thoroughly cleaned, usually at every third bore
hole.
NB: If the vane borer is left lying unused on the ground, it must be
dismantled and cleaned

3.3.2 Instrument
The instrument is rigidly built and does not require much attention, provided that it is
used carefully and kept away from dirt and mud as much as possible.
To ensure that correct shear strengths are obtained it is, however, adviseable to
have the instrument calibrated at regular intervals, normally once a year.

4 OPTION - ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE

4.1 Operating instructions
The electric motor drive is an alternative to the standrd crank handle supplied with
the vane borer instrument. Suitable for instruments with serial numbers over 1500.
It is driven from a 12VDC supply and is suitably geared to rotate the input shaft at 66
rpm which is the requirement for the correct operation of the instrument.
The gear motor is inserted into the socket in the same way as the crank handle is. It
is secured to the instrument by means of the knurled locking ring which is screwed
firmly to the threaded insert protruding from the H-10 instrument.

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4.2 Reading
The motor is switched on and drives the gear until shear is registered on the reading
dial whereupon it is switched off.

NB: The standard crank handle supplied with the instrument can still be
used when the motor is removed

4.3 Updating
The electric motor option can be built into all Geonor vane borer instruments less
than 10 years old. The existing insert for the crank handle must be replaced by an
insert with external threads to suit the motor coupling. This is supplied with the
modification.

4.4 Caution
The motor should not be exposed to mechanical shock, i.e. falling on a concrete
floor, as it is a precision product of high quality.

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5 COMPONENT LIST FOR PART NO. 23000 (II-10)

VANE BORER FOR 30 M DEPTH, COMPLETE
QTY ITEM NO TEXT
1 23 500 Complete lower part, type SGI, with vane 55x110 mm
1

23 100

Complete instrument with cranking, w/plywood transport case

30

41 101

Extension tube (036x1000 mm)

30

41 100

Connection piece, M30/17 mm

30

41 111

Extension rod (016x1000 mm)

30

41 110

Connection piece, M10/40 mm

43 259

Wrench for extension tubes (41101)

41 112

Wrench for extension rods (41111)

Spare parts:
1 23 502 Vane, 55x110 mm
2 23 521 Vane, 65x130 mm
1 23 505 Vane protection tube
Equipment for preboring/insertion/extraction:
5" auger

1
3

01.02.02.15C

43 258

5" steel tube for top vane hole, casing 6 ft.

43 200

Ball cone clamp, 27-38 mm

19 200

Anchoring frame

19 300

Soil screw, 8"

19 500

Handle for soil screw

19 400

Clamp for anchoring screw

14 800

Rack jack, 5 ton capacity

19 201

Locking bolt for anchoring frame

01.12.12.0

Extension tube, 3/4" x 1000 mm

1 01.10.10.01.0 Handle for auger

Equipment for transportation:

4 19 100 Transport case in steel

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6 COMPONENT LIST FOR PART NO. 23500 (11-300)

LOWER PART FOR VANE BORER, COMPLETE
QTY
1

ITEM NO. TEXT

23 501 Vane shoe, 65 mm

23 502 Vane, 55x110 mm

23 503 Bushing

23 504 Packing, rubber

23 505 Vane protection tube

23 506 Thrust bearing

23 507 Locking tube

23 508 Locking ring

23 509 Adaptor

23 510 Cover tube

23 511 Wrench, 55 mm

23 600 Locking piece, complete

23 603 Spring for locking piece

23 700 Grease gun

23 800 Vane tube guide

24 300 Adaptor for vane borer, dia. 16x420 mm

23 512 Hook spanner

26 100 Allen key for locking piece

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.VAINE BORER.H -10

(23000-complete standard equipment for 30 m depth)

23600

2310Q

________________________

of2 3 6 0 1
23604'
023603

2 43 00

23509

-/3602

(Qat
-23512

mi-23506

23510

trt

en

U1

.0

to

to

(N1
O
111
fri

23800
0=-2

3504
23503

24500
23501

23 11

41110

41100

41111
41101

70. Box 99 Roa

he field vane shear test (FVST) is the most

widely used method for measuring the
undrained shear strength and sensitivity of
soft clays in-situ. FVST is a more economic
method than for example CPT, as its operation
does not require a drilling rig or highly qualified
personnel.
Some criteria have nevertheless to be respected if
the chosen FVST equipment is to be used as a
professional, detailed investigation instrument:
The instrument should allow direct penetration
boring, in order to avoid inaccuracy due to
rod-clay friction. The vane itself must be

protected against any bending due to stones or

harder layers of soil.
The H-10 is a fully protected, pressure
push-in, field vane instrument. No rod-soil
friction is possible due to its tube-protected rods.
No need either to check the vane, nor to clean it
between each shearing (clay adhering to the vane
may increase its area ratio considerably):
The protection shoe of the H-10 not only
protects the vane but also cleans it automatically
before each measurement. The shoe is particularly useful for testing in stratified, sandy, stony
and marine sediment clays.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
GEONOR H-10 FIELD SHEAR VANE BORER
Installation: Pressure push-in, no hammering. By hand with the ground-anchored jacking
system or with a hydraulic drilling rig.
Instrument: Gear driven, accuracy of torque reading: + - 0.5% of range.
Measurement range: From 0-60 kPa (0-6 T/m2) and 0-100 kPa (0-10 T/m2).
Lower part:
Total length with the vane extended:
1430 mm
Max outer diameter:
77 mm
Weight:
15 kg
Two different sizes of vanes: 55 mm x 110 mm and 65 mm x 130 mm
Instrument:
Max outer diameter
Weight including instrument box

320 mm
16 kg

Vane Borer H-10 complete for 30m depth, consists mainly of:
Readout instrument complete
Vane borer lower part with vanes
Set of spare vanes and protection tube
30 extension tubes and rods
Preboring equipment complete
Complete insertion/extraction with rack jack, ball cone clamp, anchoring screws etc.
Steel transport cases.