ASTM D6467-21e1 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Torsional Ring Shear Test to Determine Drained Residual Shear Strength of Fine‑Grained Soils — procedure for performing a torsional ring shear test under drained conditions on reconstituted, overconsolidated, presheared specimens to determine the drained residual shear strength envelope of fine‑grained soils.

Abstract

This test method (designation D6467‑21e1) describes the torsional ring shear apparatus and stepwise procedure (consolidation, preshear/overconsolidation, drained shearing, multi‑stage or single‑stage options) used to measure the constant (residual) drained shear resistance of fine‑grained soils. It is intended for soils with restricted sand content and is used to obtain residual shear strength parameters for research, laboratory testing, and geotechnical design purposes.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition published and in force).
• Publication date: September 1, 2021 (editorial update noted January 27, 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 13.080.20 (Physical properties of soils).
• Edition / version: D6467‑21e1 (sometimes shown as D6467‑21E01; edition year 2021 with editorial change e1).
• Number of pages: 8 pages.

Scope

This Test Method provides a procedure for performing a torsional ring shear test under drained conditions to determine the residual shear strength of fine‑grained soils. The method is applied to reconstituted specimens that can be overconsolidated and presheared prior to drained shearing, and is restricted to fine‑grained soils containing no more than 15% fine sand (100% passing the 425 µm (No. 40) sieve and no more than 15% retained on the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve). The test can be run in multi‑stage mode (several effective normal stresses on one specimen) or single‑stage mode (new specimen per stress) to determine a drained residual failure envelope.

Key topics and requirements

• Apparatus: torsional ring shear device providing unlimited rotation in one direction and constant shear surface geometry.
• Specimen preparation: reconstituted specimens, overconsolidation and preshear to reduce displacement to reach residual state.
• Drained test conditions: controlled drainage and displacement rate to establish constant drained shear resistance.
• Multi‑stage vs single‑stage testing: application of multiple effective normal stresses or separate specimens per stress.
• Limitations: soil grading restrictions (fine‑grained soils with limited fine sand content) and user‑verification for special materials.
• Reporting: residual shear strength results, effective normal stresses, test configuration and any preparatory consolidation/preshear history.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical laboratories, research institutions, geotechnical and civil engineers, consultants, and quality control teams for slope stability analyses, landslide investigations, foundation and earthworks design where residual shear strength of cohesive/fine‑grained soils is required. Laboratories follow the procedure to produce reproducible residual strength envelopes for design and research.

Related standards

Commonly referenced or complementary ASTM standards and practices include ASTM D2974 (moisture content of organic soils/peat), Practice D3740 (evaluation of testing reliability and laboratory practices), and Practice D6026 (significant digits and rounding); earlier superseded edition: ASTM D6467 (2013) replaced by the 2021/e1 edition.

Keywords

torsional ring shear, ring shear test, residual shear strength, drained shear, fine‑grained soils, overconsolidation, preshear, multi‑stage test, geotechnical laboratory, D6467‑21e1

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D6467‑21e1 is a test method that specifies how to perform a torsional ring shear test to measure the drained residual shear strength of fine‑grained soils.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation (reconstituted, overconsolidated, presheared), apparatus requirements, drained testing procedures, options for multi‑stage or single‑stage tests, and reporting of residual shear strength for soils meeting the grading limits described in the scope.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical and civil engineers, testing laboratories, consultants, and researchers use the standard to obtain residual shear strength parameters for slope stability, landslide assessment, and design tasks requiring residual shear data.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D6467‑21e1 edition is the current active edition published September 1, 2021, with an editorial update recorded January 27, 2022; it supersedes the earlier (2013) edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM’s geotechnical/soil testing portfolio (Book of Standards section related to soil and rock testing) and is often used alongside other ASTM soil test methods and practices for a complete geotechnical testing program.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Torsional ring shear, residual shear strength, drained conditions, fine‑grained soils, overconsolidation, preshear, D6467.