Comparison of Field Vane and Laboratory Undrained Shear Strength in Soft Sensitive Clays

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to compare, at two different sites, the field vane strength with the undrained shear strength measured in laboratory on intact clay specimens cut from block samples. The laboratory tests included triaxial compression, triaxial extension, and direct simple shear tests on specimens anisotropically reconsolidated to the in-situ stresses. The laboratory undrained shear strength was determined on averaged stress strain curves built from the three types of laboratory tests in order to account for strain compatibility. At both sites, the undrained shear strengths obtained by the field vane and by the laboratory tests are nearly identical. The comparison is discussed in terms of field vane correction.