Numerical Simulation of Field Vane Shear Test Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

One of the most versatile and widely used devices for investigating the undrained shearing strength and sensitivity of soft deposits of clay is the field vane shear test. However, despite its common usage, the interpretation of the vane test has been quite often a controversial issue. Thus, this paper aims to analyze the effects of vane blade thickness and the conventional interpretation of determining shear strength from the vane shear test using the finite element method. The soil stress–strain response has been simulated using the Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model and the Hardening soil model. The sensitivity analysis of boundary conditions has been performed to select the best boundary condition among the different alternatives and to use it properly to get better output for further analysis. The results of numerical simulations have been compared with the conventional interpretation results in verifying and analyzing the performance of the numerical model. It is observed that the measured torque at failure obtained from PLAXIS 3D using the Hardening soil model fits well with the result from the theoretical calculation. However, the Mohr–Coulomb gave too large the torque at failure and the big difference between simulated and hand calculation. The measured undrained shear strengths are inversely proportional to the perimeter ratio of the vane and the same type of soil but different blade thickness, the undrained shear strength can vary significantly. The failure geometry around the blade is recognized in the plastic points, more emphasized at the top than in the middle of the device. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.