ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1

Standard Practice for Field Pneumatic Slug (Instantaneous Change in Head) Tests to Determine Hydraulic Properties of Aquifers with Direct Push Groundwater Samplers (Withdrawn 2022)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Combining slug test methods with the use of direct push installed groundwater sampling devices provides a time and cost-effective method that was previously not available for evaluating spatial variations of hydraulic conductivity (K) in unconsolidated aquifers. Current research (Ref (4)) has found that small (decimeter) scale variations in hydraulic conductivity may have significant influence on solute transport and therefore design of groundwater remediation systems. Other investigators (Ref (5)) report that spatial variation in K is believed to be the main source of uncertainty in the prediction of contaminant transport in aquifers. They found that increasing the data density for K in model input noticeably reduced the uncertainty of model prediction. Because of increased efficiency and reduced costs, the combination of slug test methods with DP groundwater sampling devices makes it possible to obtain the additional information required to reduce uncertainty in contaminant transport models and improve remedial action design.  
5.2 The data obtained from application of this practice may be modeled with the appropriate analytical method to provide information on the transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity of the screened formation in a timely and cost effective manner.  
5.3 The appropriate analytical method selected for analysis of the data will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, the aquifer type (confined, unconfined, leaky) well construction parameters (partially or fully penetrating), and the type of aquifer response observed during the slug test (overdamped or underdamped). Some of the appropriate methods may include Test Methods D4104, D5785, D5881 and D5912. A thorough review of many slug test models and analytical methods is provided in Ref (1).  
5.4 Slug tests may be conducted in materials of lower hydraulic conductivity than are suitable for pumping tests. Slug tests may be used to obtain estimates of K for aquitards consi...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard practice covers the field methods used to conduct an instantaneous change in head (slug) test when pneumatic pressure is used to initiate the change in head pressure within the well or piezometer. While this practice specifically addresses use of pneumatic initiation of slug tests with direct push tools these procedures may be applied to wells or piezometers installed with rotary drilling methods when appropriate.  
1.2 This standard practice is used to obtain the required field data for determining hydraulic properties of an aquifer or a specified vertical interval of an aquifer. Field data obtained from application of this practice are modeled with appropriate analytical procedures (Test Methods D4104, D5785, D5881, D5912, Ref (1)2).  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
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.  
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “standard” in the title means that the ...

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2013
• Withdrawal Date: 18-Jul-2022
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

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
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Designation: D7242/D7242M − 06 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Practice for
Field Pneumatic Slug (Instantaneous Change in Head) Tests
to Determine Hydraulic Properties of Aquifers with Direct
Push Groundwater Samplers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7242/D7242M; 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.
ε NOTE—Designation was editorially corrected to match units information in December 2013.
1. Scope* be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
1.1 This standard practice covers the field methods used to
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
conduct an instantaneous change in head (slug) test when
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
pneumatic pressure is used to initiate the change in head
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “standard” in the
pressure within the well or piezometer. While this practice
title means that the document has been approved through the
specifically addresses use of pneumatic initiation of slug tests
ASTM consensus process.
withdirectpushtoolstheseproceduresmaybeappliedtowells
or piezometers installed with rotary drilling methods when
2. Referenced Documents
appropriate.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Thisstandardpracticeisusedtoobtaintherequiredfield
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
data for determining hydraulic properties of an aquifer or a
Fluids
specified vertical interval of an aquifer. Field data obtained
D2434 Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils
from application of this practice are modeled with appropriate
(Constant Head) (Withdrawn 2015)
analytical procedures (Test Methods D4104, D5785, D5881,
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
D5912, Ref (1) ).
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
D4104 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Over-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
(Slug Tests)
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
D5084 Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Con-
with the standard.
ductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Wall Permeameter
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Monitoring Wells
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
D5521 Guide for Development of Groundwater Monitoring
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Wells in Granular Aquifers
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
D5785 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
mining Transmissivity of Confined NonleakyAquifers by
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
Underdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay
Head (Slug Test)
D5856 Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conduc-
tivity of Porous Material Using a Rigid-Wall,
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013. Published January 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D7242 – 06. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7242-06R13. the ASTM website.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this standard. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7242/D7242M − 06 (2013)
Compaction-Mold Permeameter conducting replicate tests after development and visually
D5881 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining comparing the replicate data sets.
Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Criti-
4.3 Aquifer response data obtained from the pneumatic slug
cally Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
tests are modeled with the appropriate analysis method (Test
Head (Slug)
Methods D4104, D5785, D5881, D5912, Refs (1, 3))to
D5912 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining
calculate the transmissivity and/or hydraulic conductivity of
Hydraulic Conductivity of an Unconfined Aquifer by
the screened formation.
Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
Head (Slug) (Withdrawn 2013)
5. Significance and Use
D6001 Guide for Direct-Push Groundwater Sampling for
5.1 Combining slug test methods with the use of direct push
Environmental Site Characterization
installed groundwater sampling devices provides a time and
D6282 Guide for Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environ-
cost-effective method that was previously not available for
mental Site Characterizations
evaluating spatial variations of hydraulic conductivity (K) in
D6724 Guide for Installation of Direct Push Groundwater
unconsolidated aquifers. Current research (Ref (4)) has found
Monitoring Wells
that small (decimeter) scale variations in hydraulic conductiv-
D6725 Practice for Direct Push Installation of Prepacked
ity may have significant influence on solute transport and
Screen Monitoring Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers
therefore design of groundwater remediation systems. Other
3. Terminology
investigators (Ref (5)) report that spatial variation in K is
believed to be the main source of uncertainty in the prediction
3.1 Terminology used within this practice is in accordance
of contaminant transport in aquifers. They found that increas-
with Terminology D653 with the addition of the following:
ing the data density for K in model input noticeably reduced
3.2 Definitions:
the uncertainty of model prediction. Because of increased
3.2.1 direct-push (DP) sampling—sampling devices that are
efficiency and reduced costs, the combination of slug test
directly inserted into the soil without drilling or borehole
methods with DP groundwater sampling devices makes it
excavation. D6001
possibletoobtaintheadditionalinformationrequiredtoreduce
3.2.2 two-tube system—a system whereby inner and outer
uncertainty in contaminant transport models and improve
tubes are advanced simultaneously into the subsurface strata to
remedial action design.
collect a soil sample, sometimes referred to as dual-tube. The
5.2 The data obtained from application of this practice may
outer tube is used for borehole stabilization. The inner tube for
be modeled with the appropriate analytical method to provide
sampler insertion and recovery. D6282
informationonthetransmissivityandhydraulicconductivityof
3.2.3 single-tube system—a system whereby single
the screened formation in a timely and cost effective manner.
extension/drive rods with samplers attached are advanced into
5.3 The appropriate analytical method selected for analysis
the subsurface strata to collect a soil sample. D6282
of the data will depend on several factors, including, but not
3.2.4 slug test—a single well test to measure aquifer prop-
limited to, the aquifer type (confined, unconfined, leaky) well
erties such as transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity.Aslug
construction parameters (partially or fully penetrating), and the
test is conducted by inducing a near instantaneous change in
type of aquifer response observed during the slug test (over-
the static water level in a well and observing the recovery of
damped or underdamped). Some of the appropriate methods
the water level to static condition over time. Also called an
may include Test Methods D4104, D5785, D5881 and D5912.
instantaneous change in head test.
A thorough review of many slug test models and analytical
methods is provided in Ref (1).
4. Summary of Practice
5.4 Slug tests may be conducted in materials of lower
4.1 This practice describes the field procedures used to
hydraulicconductivitythanaresuitableforpumpingtests.Slug
conduct an instantaneous change in head (slug) test in a direct
tests may be used to obtain estimates of K for aquitards
push (DP) installed groundwater sampling device or monitor-
consisting primarily of silts and clays. Special field procedures
ing well using air pressure to cause a sudden change in the
may be required.
water level. A pneumatic manifold is installed on a developed
well or DP installed device to control the pressure in the
5.5 Thepneumaticslugtestprovidessomeadvantageswhen
wellhead. Positive pressure or vacuum may be applied with the
compared to pumping tests or slug tests conducted by other
pneumatic manifold to induce a rising head test or falling head
methods.
test, respectively. The changing water level in the well is
5.5.1 Someoftheadvantagesrelativetopumptestsinclude:
monitored with a transducer and data acquisition device and
5.5.1.1 No water added to or removed from the well. An
the data is saved for curve fitting and analysis.
importantconsiderationwhenwaterqualitymustnotbealtered
for purposes of environmental sampling.
4.2 Appropriatewelldesignandconstructionisnecessaryto
obtain representative slug test results. Furthermore, without 5.5.1.2 Large volumes of water not removed from the well
adequatedevelopment(PracticeD6725,GuideD5521,Refs (1, as during a pumping test. An important consideration if the
2)) of the well or groundwater sampling device slug tests may groundwater is contaminated and will require disposal as a
yield biased data. Field quality control may be monitored by regulated waste.
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D7242/D7242M − 06 (2013)
5.5.1.3 Slug tests usually require only a fraction of the time tion and multiple re-use, and can minimize the need for
needed to complete a pump test. permanent well installations.
5.6.3 Short screens may be used to slug test discrete depth
5.5.1.4 No large diameter pumping well or down well pump
required. intervalstodocumentverticalandlateralvariationsofKwithin
an aquifer in a cost and time effective manner.
5.5.1.5 Slug tests provide information on K for the forma-
tion in the vicinity of the well. 5.6.4 Equipment required to install DPwells and temporary
groundwater samplers are often smaller and more mobile than
5.5.2 Some advantages relative to slug tests using water or
conventional rotary drilling equipment. This can make site
a mechanical slug include:
access easier and more rapid.
5.5.2.1 No water added to or removed from the well or DP
5.6.5 Otherdirectpushscreeningandsamplingmethods,for
sampler to conduct the test. Generally does not change water
example Guide D6282 on soil sampling, can be used to detect
quality for sampling. Use of vacuum to induce a falling head
test zones in advance of slug testing, which helps with
test could result in loss of volatiles from water in the well
knowledge of test location.
column. Additional purging may be required before sampling
5.6.6 Direct push tests are minimally intrusive.
for volatile contaminants.
5.6.7 Direct push tests are generally more rapid and less
5.5.2.2 Pneumatic initiation of the slug test provides clean,
expensive than other drilling methods.
high quality data with minimal noise, especially important in
high hydraulic conductivity formations and small diameter
5.7 Some disadvantages of DP methods as compared to
wells.
conventional rotary drilling include:
5.5.2.3 In small diameter DP tools, inserting a mechanical
5.7.1 DPmethodsgenerallyprovideasmallerdiameterbore
slug or adding water may be difficult or even preclude accurate
hole than traditional rotary drilling. This may limit the size of
measurement of changing water levels.
equipment than can be placed down hole.
5.5.3 Some disadvantages of slug tests as compared to
5.7.2 Direct push tools are designed to penetrate unconsoli-
pumping tests include:
dated materials only. Other rotary drilling methods will be
5.5.3.1 Slug tests provide information on K for the forma-
required to penetrate consolidated rock.
tion only in the vicinity of the well, not a large scale average
5.7.3 Some subsurface conditions may limit the depth of
value as obtained from a pumping test.
penetration of DP methods and tools. Some examples include
5.5.3.2 Most slug test analytical methods can provide infor-
thick caliche layers, cobbles or boulders, or very dense
mation only on aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conduc-
materials, such as high density glacial tills.
tivity. Pumping test analysis can provide additional informa-
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
tion on aquifer parameters such as specific storage, etc.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
5.5.4 Somedisadvantagesofthepneumaticslugtestrelative
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
to slug tests using water or a mechanical slug include: criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
5.5.4.1 Airtight seals needed on the well casing or drive
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
rods.
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
5.5.4.2 The screen must remain below the water level
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors. Practice D3740 was
throughout the slug test. Wells screened across the water table developed for agencies engaged in the testing or inspection of soils and
rock, or both. As such, it is not totally applicable to agencies performing
cannot be slug tested with the pneumatic method.
this practice. However, users of this practice should recognize that the
5.5.4.3 Pressure transducers and electronic acquisition
framework of Practice D3740 is appropriate for evaluating the quality of
methods us
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