ASTM D6391-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity Using Borehole Infiltration
Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity Using Borehole Infiltration
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a means to measure the hydraulic conductivity of isotropic materials and the maximum vertical and minimum horizontal hydraulic conductivities of anisotropic materials, especially in the low ranges associated with fine-grained clayey soils, 1×10–7 m/s to 1×10–11 m/s.
This test method is useful for measuring liquid flow through soil hydraulic barriers, such as compacted clay barriers used at waste containment facilities, for canal and reservoir liners, for seepage blankets, and for amended soil liners, such as those used for retention ponds or storage tanks. Due to the boundary condition assumptions used in deriving the equations for the limiting hydraulic conductivities, the thickness of the unit tested must be at least 600 mm. This requirement is increased to 800 mm if the material being tested is underlain by a material that is far less permeable.
The soil layer being tested must have sufficient cohesion to stand open during excavation of the borehole.
This test method provides a means to measure infiltration rate into a moderately large volume of soil. Tests on large volumes of soil can be more representative than tests on small volumes of soil. Multiple installations properly spaced provide a greater volume and an indication of spatial variability.
The data obtained from this test method are most useful when the soil layer being tested has a uniform distribution of hydraulic conductivity and of pore space and when the upper and lower boundary conditions of the soil layer are well defined.
Changes in water temperature can introduce errors in the flow measurements. Temperature changes cause fluctuations in the water levels that are not related to flow. This problem is most pronounced when a small diameter standpipe or Marriotte bottle is used in soils having hydraulic conductivities of 5×10–10 m/s or less.
The effects of temperature changes and other environmental perturbations are taken into account using a temperature effec...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers field measurement of hydraulic conductivity (also referred to as coefficient of permeability) of porous materials using a cased borehole technique. When isotropic conditions can be assumed and a flush borehole is employed, the method yields the hydraulic conductivity of the porous material. When isotropic conditions cannot be assumed, the method yields limiting values of the hydraulic conductivity in the vertical direction (upper limit) if a single stage is conducted and the horizontal direction (lower limit) if a second stage is conducted. For anisotropic conditions, determination of the actual hydraulic conductivity requires further analysis by qualified personnel.
1.2 This test method may be used for compacted fills or natural deposits, above or below the water table, that have a mean hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1×10–5 m/s (1×10–3 cm/s).
1.3 Hydraulic conductivity greater than 1×10–5 m/s may be determined by ordinary borehole tests, for example, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 7310 (1) ; however, the resulting value is an apparent conductivity.
1.4 For this test method, a distinction must be made between “saturated” (Ks) and “field-saturated” (Kfs) hydraulic conductivity. True saturated conditions seldom occur in the vadose zone except where impermeable layers result in the presence of perched water tables. During infiltration events or in the event of a leak from a lined pond, a “field-saturated” condition develops. True saturation does not occur due to entrapped air (2). The entrapped air prevents water from moving in air-filled pores, which may reduce the hydraulic conductivity measured in the field by as much as a factor of two compared with conditions when trapped air is not present (3). This test method develops the “field-saturated” condition.
1.5 Experience with this test method has been predominantly in materials having a degree of saturation of 70 % or more,...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6391 −11
Standard Test Method for
Field Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity Using
1
Borehole Infiltration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6391; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope conditionswhentrappedairisnotpresent (3).Thistestmethod
develops the “field-saturated” condition.
1.1 This test method covers field measurement of hydraulic
conductivity (also referred to as coeffıcient of permeability)of 1.5 Experience with this test method has been predomi-
porous materials using a cased borehole technique. When nantly in materials having a degree of saturation of 70% or
isotropic conditions can be assumed and a flush borehole is more, and where the stratification or plane of compaction is
employed, the method yields the hydraulic conductivity of the relatively horizontal. Its use in other situations should be
porousmaterial.Whenisotropicconditionscannotbeassumed, considered experimental.
themethodyieldslimitingvaluesofthehydraulicconductivity
1.6 As in the case of all tests for hydraulic conductivity, the
in the vertical direction (upper limit) if a single stage is
resultsofthistestpertainonlytothevolumeofsoilpermeated.
conductedandthehorizontaldirection(lowerlimit)ifasecond
Extending the results to the surrounding area requires both
stage is conducted. For anisotropic conditions, determination
multiple tests and the judgment of qualified personnel. The
oftheactualhydraulicconductivityrequiresfurtheranalysisby
number of tests required depends on among other things: the
qualified personnel.
size of the area, the uniformity of the material in that area, and
1.2 This test method may be used for compacted fills or the variation in data from multiple tests.
natural deposits, above or below the water table, that have a
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
–5
mean hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1×10 m/s
standard unless other units specifically are given. By tradition
–3
(1×10 cm/s).
in U.S. practice, hydraulic conductivity is reported in cm/s
–5
1.3 Hydraulic conductivity greater than 1×10 m/s may be although the common SI units for hydraulic conductivity are
determined by ordinary borehole tests, for example, U.S. m/s.
2
BureauofReclamation7310 (1) ;however,theresultingvalue
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
is an apparent conductivity.
guideforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
1.4 Forthistestmethod,adistinctionmustbemadebetween D6026.
“saturated” (K ) and “field-saturated” (K ) hydraulic conduc- 1.8.1 Theproceduresinthisstandardthatareusedtospecify
s fs
tivity. True saturated conditions seldom occur in the vadose how data are collected, recorded, and calculated are regarded
zoneexceptwhereimpermeablelayersresultinthepresenceof as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of
perched water tables. During infiltration events or in the event the significant digits that should generally be retained. The
of a leak from a lined pond, a “field-saturated” condition procedures do not consider material variation, purpose for
develops. True saturation does not occur due to entrapped air obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
(2).The entrapped air prevents water from moving in air-filled ations for the objectives of the user. Increasing or reducing the
pores, which may reduce the hydraulic conductivity measured significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with
in the field by as much as a factor of two compared with these considerations is common practice. Consideration of the
significantdigitstobeusedinanalysismethodsforengineering
design is beyond the scope of this standard.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
1.9 This standard does not purport to address the safety
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
Properties and Hydraulic Barriers.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published January 2012. Originally
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6391–06. DOI:
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
10.1520/D6391-11.
2 limitations prior to use. This test method does not purport to
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
this standard. address environmental protection problems, as well.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6391–06 Designation: D6391 – 11
Standard Test Method for
Field Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity Limits of
Porous Materials Using Two Stages of Infiltration from a
BoreholeField Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity Using
1
Borehole Infiltration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6391; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1This test method covers field measurement of limiting values for vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivities (also
referred to as coeffıcients of permeability) of porous materials using the two-stage, cased borehole technique. These limiting
hydraulic conductivity values are the maximum possible for the vertical direction and minimum possible for the horizontal
direction. Determination of actual hydraulic conductivity values requires further analysis by qualified personnel.
1.2This test method may be utilized for compacted fills or natural deposits, above or below the water table, that have a mean
hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1310
1.1 This test method covers field measurement of hydraulic conductivity (also referred to as coeffıcient of permeability)of
porous materials using a cased borehole technique. When isotropic conditions can be assumed and a flush borehole is employed,
the method yields the hydraulic conductivity of the porous material. When isotropic conditions cannot be assumed, the method
yields limiting values of the hydraulic conductivity in the vertical direction (upper limit) if a single stage is conducted and the
horizontal direction (lower limit) if a second stage is conducted. For anisotropic conditions, determination of the actual hydraulic
conductivity requires further analysis by qualified personnel.
1.2 This test method may be used for compacted fills or natural deposits, above or below the water table, that have a mean
–5
–3
hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1310 m/s (1310 cm/s).
–5
1.3 Hydraulic conductivity greater than 1310 m/s may be determined by ordinary borehole tests, for example, U.S. Bureau
2
of Reclamation 7310 (1) ; however, the resulting value is an apparent conductivity.
1.4 For this test method, a distinction must be made between “saturated” (K ) and “field-saturated” (K ) hydraulic conductivity.
s fs
Truesaturatedconditionsseldomoccurinthevadosezoneexceptwhereimpermeablelayersresultinthepresenceofperchedwater
tables. During infiltration events or in the event of a leak from a lined pond, a “field-saturated” condition develops.True saturation
does not occur due to entrapped air (2). The entrapped air prevents water from moving in air-filled pores that, in turn,pores, which
may reduce the hydraulic conductivity measured in the field by as much as a factor of two compared with conditions when trapped
air is not present (3). This test method simulatesdevelops the “field-saturated” condition.
1.5 Experience with this test method has been predominantly in materials having a degree of saturation of 70 % or more, and
where the stratification or plane of compaction is relatively horizontal. Its use in other situations should be considered
experimental.
1.6 As in the case of all tests for hydraulic conductivity, the results of this test pertain only to the volume of soil permeated.
Extending the results to the surrounding area requires both multiple tests and the judgment of qualified personnel. The number of
tests required depends on among other things: the size of the area, the uniformity of the material in that area, and the variation in
data from multiple tests.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard unless other units specifically are given. By tradition in U.S.
practice, hydraulic conductivity is reported in cm/s although the common SI units for hydraulic conductivity are m/s.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.8.1 The procedures in this standard that are used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated are regarded as
the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained.The procedures
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibilit
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.