Interpretation of Stress History from FVT

Jamiolkowski et al. (1985) presented the results of normalized field vane undrained shear strength as a function of laboratory OCR and suggested a reasonable fit to the data as follows:

where

s, = undrained vane strength ratio for OCR = 1.

Data from nine different sites gave mean values of s, = 0.22 and m = 1 (disregarding one extreme value of s, = 0.74; m = 1.51). The value of s, may be related to RI. as suggested by Bjerrum (1973).

Mayne & Mitchell (1988) used a database consisting of 262 data points of both field vane results and laboratory measured overconsolidation ratio, OCR, and suggested that the preconsolidation stress Op could be estimated as follows:

The parameter a_FV was found to be related to the soil P.I. as follows:

Figure 5.21 Vane shear test results from four clay sites.

Summary of FVT

The FVT is still a valuable and an important in situ test. In the author’s opinion, it is the preferred field method for estimating the undrained shear strength of soft to medium stiff clays. The results obtained from the vane are influenced by delay time, vane geometry (especially blade thickness), and rate of shearing. It is recommended that a rectangular vane with H/D = 2 and constant blade thickness be used for routine work. A vane with a perimeter ratio generally less than about 6% should be used, and in all cases, the exact dimensions of the vane should always be reported to allow the engineer to adjust for disturbance. The vane should be rotated a sufficient amount in order to obtain the postpeak strength, and a remolded test should be conducted at each test depth to obtain the sensitivity. Figure 5.21 shows typical FVT results obtained at four different sites.

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