ASTM D5856-95(2002)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers laboratory measurement of the hydraulic conductivity (also referred to as ) of laboratory-compacted materials with a rigid-wall, compaction-mold permeameter.
1.2 This test method may be used with laboratory-compacted specimens that have a hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1 X 10 -5 m/s. The hydraulic conductivity of compacted materials that have hydraulic conductivities greater than 1 X 10 -5 m/s may be determined by Test Method D 2434.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard, unless other units are specifically given. By tradition in U.S. practice, hydraulic conductivity is reported in centimetres per second, although the common SI units for hydraulic conductivity are metres per second.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D5856–95 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material
Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5856; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Equation 11 was corrected editorially in January 2003.
1. Scope D2434 Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils
(Constant Head)
1.1 This test method covers laboratory measurement of the
D4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
hydraulic conductivity (also referred to as coeffıcient of per-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
meability)oflaboratory-compactedmaterialswitharigid-wall,
Construction Materials
compaction-mold permeameter.
D5084 Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Con-
1.2 This test method may be used with laboratory-
ductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible
compacted specimens that have a hydraulic conductivity less
−5
Wall Permeameter
than or equal to 1 310 m/s. The hydraulic conductivity of
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
compacted materials that have hydraulic conductivities greater
−5
Ventilation Ovens
than1 310 m/smaybedeterminedbyTestMethodD2434.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3. Terminology
standard, unless other units are specifically given. By tradition
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
in U.S. practice, hydraulic conductivity is reported in centime-
3.1.1 flux—quantity of flow per unit area per unit time.
tres per second, although the common SI units for hydraulic
3.1.2 hydraulic conductivity, k—the rate of discharge of
conductivity are metres per second.
water under laminar flow conditions through a unit cross-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sectional area of a porous medium under a unit hydraulic
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gradient and standard temperature conditions (20°C).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The term coeffıcient of permeability is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
often used instead of hydraulic conductivity, but hydraulic
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
conductivity is used exclusively in this test method. A more
2. Referenced Documents complete discussion of the terminology associated with Dar-
cy’s law is given in the literature .
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.3 pore volume of flow—the cumulative quantity of
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
outflow from a test specimen divided by the volume of pore
Fluids
space in the specimen.
D698 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3 2
see Terminology D653.
KN-m/m ))
D854 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils Solids by
4. Significance and Use
Water Pycnometer
4.1 This test method applies to one-dimensional, laminar
D1557 TestMethodforLaboratoryCompactionCharacter-
flow of water within laboratory-compacted, porous materials
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56000 ft-lbf/ft (2700
3 2
such as soil.
KN-m/m ))
4.2 The hydraulic conductivity of porous materials gener-
D2216 Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
2 ally decreases with an increasing amount of air in the pores of
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
the material. This test method applies to porous materials
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Properties of Soil and Rock. Olson, R. E., and Daniel, D. E., “Measurement of the Hydraulic Conductivity
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1995. Published January 1996. ofFine-GrainedSoils,” Symposium on Permeability and Groundwater Contaminant
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Transport, ASTM STP 746, ASTM, 1981, pp. 18–64.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5856–95 (2002)
containing little or no air. The test method is designed to Head of liquid in a standpipe may be measured with a
minimize the amount of air in the test specimen. However, this graduated pipette, ruler, scale, or other device of suitable
test method does not ensure complete saturation of the test accuracy.
specimen with water. In cases where it is essential to saturate 5.1.2 Falling Head—The system shall allow for measure-
the test specimen fully with water, the compacted specimen ment of the applied head loss, thus hydraulic gradient, to
may be tested using Test Method D5084. within6 5% or better at any time. In addition, the ratio of
initial head loss divided by final head loss over an interval of
4.3 This test method applies to permeation of porous mate-
timeshallbemeasuredsuchthatthiscomputedratioisaccurate
rials with water. Permeation with other liquids, such as
to within 6 5%. The head loss shall be measured with a
chemical wastes, can be accomplished using procedures simi-
pressure gage, electronic pressure transducer, engineer’s scale,
lar to those described in this test method. However, this test
graduated pipette, or any other device of suitable accuracy.
methodisonlyintendedtobeusedwhenwateristhepermeant
Falling head tests may be performed with either a constant
liquid.
tailwater elevation (Test Method B), rising tailwater elevation
4.4 It is assumed that Darcy’s law is valid and that the
(Test Method C), or increasing tailwater elevation (Test
hydraulic conductivity is essentially unaffected by hydraulic
Method D).
gradient. The validity of Darcy’s law may be evaluated by
5.1.3 Constant Rate of Flow—The system must be capable
measuring the hydraulic conductivity of the specimen at three
of maintaining a constant rate of flow through the specimen to
hydraulic gradients; if all measured values are similar (within
within 6 5% or better. Flow measurement or control shall be
25%),thenDarcy’slawmaybetakenasvalid.However,when
by calibrated syringe, graduated pipette, or other device of
thehydraulicgradientactingonatestspecimenischanged,the
suitable accuracy. The head loss across the specimen shall be
state of stress will also change, and, if the specimen or pore
measuredtoanaccuracyof 65%orbetterusinganelectronic
fluid is compressible, the volume of the test specimen or pore
pressure transducer or other device of suitable accuracy. A
fluidwillchange.Thus,somechangeinhydraulicconductivity
meanstoensurethattheheadbeingmeasuredisnotaffectedby
mayoccurwhenthehydraulicgradientisaltered,evenincases
sidewall leakage should be included. More information on
where Darcy’s law is valid.
testing with a constant rate of flow is given in the literature .
4.5 One potential problem with this method of testing is the
5.2 Flow Measurement System—Both inflow and outflow
possibility that water will flow along the interface between the
volumes shall be measured or controlled. Flow volumes shall
test specimen and the compaction/permeameter ring. The
be measured by a graduated accumulator, graduated pipette,
problem tends to be of minimal significance for materials that
graduated cylinder, vertical standpipe in conjunction with an
swell when exposed to water (for example, compacted, clayey
electronic pressure transducer, marriotte bottle, or other
soils) but can be a very serious problem for materials that
volume-measuring device of suitable accuracy. For long-term
might tend to shrink and pull away from the walls of the
tests, evaporative losses may be significant and should be
permeameter. Test Method D5084 is recommended for any
accounted for using a suitable correction procedure.
material that tends to shrink when exposed to the permeant
5.2.1 Flow Accuracy—Required accuracy for the quantity
liquid.
of flow measured over an interval of time is 6 5% or better.
4.6 The correlation between results obtained with this test 5.2.2 Head Losses—Head losses in the tubes, valves, po-
rous end pieces, and filter paper may lead to error. To guard
method and the hydraulic conductivities of in-place, com-
pacted materials has not been fully investigated. Experience against such errors, the permeameter shall be assembled with
no specimen inside (but with any porous end pieces or sheets
has sometimes shown that flow patterns in small, laboratory-
prepared test specimens do not necessarily follow the same of filter paper that will be used) and then the hydraulic system
filled. If a constant or falling head test is to be used, the
patterns on large field scales and that hydraulic conductivities
hydraulic pressures or heads that will be used in testing a
measured on small test specimens are not necessarily the same
specimen shall be applied, and the rate of flow measured with
as larger-scale values. Therefore, the results should be applied
an accuracy of 6 5% or better. This rate of flow shall be at
to field situations with caution and by qualified personnel.
least ten times greater than the rate of flow that is measured
when a specimen has been compacted inside the permeameter
5. Apparatus
and the same hydraulic pressures or heads are applied. If a
5.1 Hydraulic System—Constant head (Test Method A),
constant rate of flow test is to be used, the rate of flow to be
falling head (Test Methods B, C, and D), or constant rate of
usedintestingaspecimenshallbesuppliedtothepermeameter
flow(TestMethodE)systemsmaybeusedprovidedtheymeet
and the head loss measured. The head loss without a specimen
the criteria outlined as follows:
shall be less than 0.1 times the head loss when a specimen is
5.1.1 Constant Head—The system must be capable of
present.
maintaining a constant hydraulic pressure or head to within 6
5.3 Permeameter Cell—The permeameter cell shall consist
5% and shall include means to measure hydraulic pressures or
of a rigid-wall compaction mold into which the material to be
heads to within the prescribed tolerance. In addition, the head
lossacrossthetestspecimenmustbeheldconstanttowithin 6
5% and shall be measured with the same accuracy or better.
Olsen, H. W., Gill, J. D., Willden, A. T., and Nelson, N. R.,“ Innovations in
Pressures shall be measured by a pressure gage, electronic
HydraulicConductivityMeasurements,” Transportation Research Record No. 1309,
pressure transducer, or any other device of suitable accuracy. TransportationResearchBoard,NationalResearchCouncil,Washington,DC,1991.
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D5856–95 (2002)
tested is compacted and in which the compacted material is
permeated; and two end plates to control flow into and out of
thetestspecimen.Aswellringmaybeprovidedasdiscussedin
5.3.2. The permeameter shall be designed and operated so that
permeant water flows downward through the test specimen,
although upward flow may be used if the top of the specimen
isprotectedfromupwardmovementbyarigidporouselement.
5.3.1 Compaction Mold/Permeameter Ring—The compac-
tion mold/permeameter ring shall be constructed of a rigid
materialthatwillnotbedamagedduringcompactionofthetest
specimen and that will not undergo adverse chemical reactions
with the test material or permeant water. Materials such as
steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and glass have been used. The
mold shall be sufficiently rigid so that its expansion when the
permeameter is pressurized is negligibly small. The mold can
be any cylindrical shape so long as: the cross-sectional area
along the direction of flow does not vary by more than 62%;
height and diameter are each$ 25 mm; height does not vary
by more than 6 1%, and the largest particle and clod size in
the compacted specimen is # ⁄6 the lesser of the height or
FIG. 2 Compaction-Mold Permeameter in Which Test Specimen
diameter. Cannot Swell
5.3.2 Swell Ring—The top of the permeameter may be
designed to function in one of three ways: (1) to allow no
restraint against swelling (see Fig. 1), in which case a swell
ringseparatesthecompactionmold/permeameterringfromthe
topplate;(2)toallownoswellingofthetestspecimen(seeFig.
2),inwhichcasenoswellringisprovided;or(3)tocontrolthe
vertical stress that is applied to the test specimen (see Fig. 3),
in which case a swell ring may or may not be needed,
depending upon how the top plate is designed and how the
vertical stress is applied. If a swell ring is used, it shall be
constructedofarigidmaterialthatwillnotreactadverselywith
the test material or permeant water, shall have the same
diameter or width as the compaction mold/permeameter ring,
and shall be sufficiently high to allow free swelling of the test
specimen or to accommodate stress-control apparatus. Sand
FIG. 3 Compaction-Mold Permeameter With a Controlled Vertical
Stress Applied to the Top of the Test Specimen
may be placed in the swell ring to minimize erosion of the
specimen from influent flow provided that the sand is included
in the measurement of head losses in the permeameter (see
5.2.2).
5.3.3 Stress-Control Apparatus—If the upper surface of the
compacted test specimen is subjected to a controlled vertical
stress,thestressshallbeappliedthrougharigidplateusingany
means that maintains the stress within 6 5% of the desired
value.
5.3.4 Bottom Plate—The bottom plate shall be constructed
of rigid material that does not react adversely with the test
material or permeant liquid. The plate shall serve the purpose
of preventing the test specimen from swelling downward,
supportingthetestspecimen,collectingeffluentliquidfromthe
base of the test specimen, and ensuring one-dimensional flow
FIG. 1 Compaction-Mold Permeameter with No Restraint Against
Swelling at Top of Test Specimen near the effluent end of the test specimen. The base plate shall
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D5856–95 (2002)
be sealed to the compaction mold/permeameter ring, for 5.4 Filter Paper—If necessary to prevent intrusion of ma-
example, with an O-ring, to prevent leakage. Checks for leaks, terial into the pores of the porous end pieces, one or more
conducted without soil in the cell, are helpful to ensure sheets of filter paper shall be placed between the top and
adequacy of the seals. Careful examination of the seal is bottom porous end pieces and the specimen. The paper shall
particularly important when the apparatus is disassembled and have a negligibly small hydraulic impedance. The require-
re-assembled during the test. The bott
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