Existing vane testers tend to have a low accuracy and only basic control functions, thus operational limitations. The FFL 100 overcomes these limitations: it is a sophisticated PLC controlled device with a high precision torque sensor. Furthermore, the testing process and the data acquisition are fully software controlled.

With a nominal torque of 100Nm all standard but also customised vanes can be applied, allowing for the determination of the undrained shear strength of cohesive soils.

The rotational speed can be adjusted from 0.1° per second up to 15° per second, while the sampling rate can be user defined. The logging and control software is based on a Visual Basic module, communicating with the PLC and interacting with the user by an Excel spread sheet. According to the chosen vane dimension the software monitors the actual torsion and limits the applied force when the shear strength reaches 100kN/m².

In contrast to all existing measuring devices, the FFL 100 also allows for load controlled shear tests. An optional add-on module enables the user to define different torsion ramps as test constraints.

The GeoMil FFL 100 comes with two rectangular vane types as standard. These are the 100mm x 50mm and the 150mm x 75mm vanes. However, other vane dimensions, rectangular as well as tapered, can be used.

The drive shaft of the vane is provided with a hexagonal 27mm socket. By using an adapter various types of rods can be applied to actuate the vane. As standard the vanes, regardless the type, can be driven with either inner rods (with or without CPT tubes as outer casing), or with CPT tubes (with or without casing tubes as outer casing).