The Surface Shear Test Apparatus features a blue mechanical device with a metal dial, sliding mechanism, six brass weights of assorted sizes, and two round black and yellow pads, displayed on a white background.

Surface Shear Test Apparatus

The determination of very thin soil layers, such as soil crusts, requires very sensitive and very accurate equipment, requring the Surface Shear Test Apparatus. In addition, the equipment should allow very small vertical stress application during measurement. Our surface shear test apparatus meets these requirements. Included in the set are:

  • Erosion test apparatus
  • Weights 50-2000 gr
  • Various accessories

The apparatus was developed in cooperation with Christian Albrechts University Kiel in Germany, a leading institution in soil compaction research. Read the interview with Prof. Horn of Kiel University for more information.

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Shear strength measurement 

The surface shear test apparatus is for altered soil functions, in particular reduced hydraulic conductivities and impeded aeration, influence the top soil layers. This has an important effect on vulnerability to erosion, in particular.

Soil stability is a decisive factor for erosion risk reduction. Soil stability is determined by shear resistance or the angle of internal friction, depending on or varying through soil-water pressure and humus content. Soil shear resistance will increase with increasing organic carbon content. Air-dry soil state samples will result in the smallest resistance to shearing in comparison with the range of water content applied. The effect of bulk density on soil shear strength depends on the water content and is distinct for a higher range of vertical loads.

Specifications – Weight

Weight container: for about 40 g – 1.08 hPa

  • Weight 1: 50 g – 1.35 hPa
  • Weight 2: 100 g – 2.70 hPa
  • Weight 3: 200 g – 5.40 hPa
  • Weight 4: 500 g – 13.51 hPa
  • Weight 5: 1000 g – 27.01 hPa
  • Weight 6: 2000 g – 54.02 hPa

Total set weight of approximately 10 kg

Specifications – Size

  • Dimensions of 50.5 x 24 x 24 cm
  • Sample size of  Ø 103 x 100 x 30 mm
  • Shear container diameter of 68 mm

Applications

  • Erosion
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Geo-Hydrologic research
  • Basic material research

User groups

  • Laboratories
  • Universities
  • Research institutes
  • Educational institutes

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