Downhole Electrical Shear Vane

The Icone Vane is a sophisticated device that has the motor and measuring sensors in one unit, just above the vane, that is pushed into the ground (downhole). The motor can apply a torque of up to 100 Nm to three standard rectangular vane types (70mm x 35mm, 100mm x 50mm and 150mm x 75mm). High precision torque and rotation sensors measure the test results and transfer the data digitally to the ground surface.

Typically a rotation speed of 0.1 degrees/second is used to measure the peak undrained shear strength in clays and a higher rate, of up to 6 degrees/second, is used for remoulding followed by measuring the residual undrained shear strength at the lower rotation speed. Different rotation speeds can be used between 0.1 - 6 degrees/second.

A protection shoe is used to encase the shear vane while pushing through harder layers to the desired test depth.

The Icone Vane uses CPT rods to hold the vane and casing tubes are used to hold a protection shoe.