Field Inspection Pocket Vane Tester

Field Inspection Pocket Vane Tester

Brand Chemical Supplies provides the Field Inspection Pocket Vane Tester, a critical instrument for geotechnicians, agronomists, and civil engineers. This portable tool is specifically designed for the rapid, in-situ determination of the undrained shear strength (C_u) of cohesive soils, such as clays and silts. It is particularly effective for assessing the stability of foundations, excavations, and trenches directly in the field.

Technical Specifications

Key Features & Benefits

• Interchangeable Vanes: Supplied with three different vane sizes to ensure accuracy across a wide range of soil consistencies—from very soft to stiff cohesive soils.

• Direct Reading Dial: Features a graduated scale ring that retains the peak value (failure point), allowing the operator to focus on the testing process without missing the measurement.

• Portable & Rugged: Housed in a compact carrying case, the stainless steel design is built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and repeated penetration into firm clay.

• Immediate Site Evaluation: Eliminates the wait for laboratory results by providing instant shear strength data, which is crucial for making on-the-spot safety decisions regarding trench stability.

• Extension Capability: The kit includes extension rods that allow for testing at depths up to 3 meters, reaching beyond the surface drying layer for more representative soil data.

• Minimal Disturbance: The thin-bladed vanes penetrate the soil with minimal structural displacement, preserving the natural matrix for a more accurate reading.

How to Use

1. Preparation: Select the appropriate vane size based on expected soil strength and screw it onto the shaft.

2. Penetration: Push the vane into the soil to the desired depth (at least $5 \sim 6 cm$). Do not twist the device during insertion.

3. Testing: Zero the scale ring. Rotate the T-handle slowly and at a constant speed clockwise until the soil fails.

4. Reading: The scale ring will stay at the maximum torque value reached. Record this reading and multiply it by the specific vane constant provided in the manual to get the value in $kPa$.

Primary Applications

• Geotechnical Engineering: Rapid checking of soil bearing capacity for foundation design.

• Construction Safety: Assessing the integrity of trench walls and excavation slopes to prevent cave-ins.

• Agronomy: Evaluating soil compaction and structural strength in agricultural lands.

• Quality Control: Checking the consistency of undisturbed samples in thin-walled or split-core tubes.

Contact our geotechnical technical team today to secure your Field Inspection Pocket Vane Tester and bring professional laboratory precision to your on-site soil evaluations