ASTM D4043-96(2010)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
Standard Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
An aquifer test method is a controlled field experiment made to determine the approximate hydraulic properties of water-bearing material. The hydraulic properties that can be determined are specific to the test method. The hydraulic properties that can be determined are also dependent upon the instrumentation of the field test, the knowledge of the aquifer system at the field site, and conformance of the hydrogeologic conditions at the field site to the assumptions of the test method. Hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficient of the aquifer are the basic properties determined by most test methods. Test methods can be designed also to determine vertical and horizontal anisotropy, aquifer discontinuities, vertical hydraulic conductivity of confining beds, well efficiency, turbulent flow, and specific storage and vertical permeability of confining beds.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers an integral part of a series of standards that are being prepared on the in situ determination of hydraulic properties of aquifer systems by single- or multiple-well tests. This guide provides guidance for development of a conceptual model of a field site and selection of an analytical test method for determination of hydraulic properties. This guide does not establish a fixed procedure for determination of hydrologic properties.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 Limitations—Well techniques have limitations in the determination of hydraulic properties of groundwater flow systems. These limitations are related primarily to the simplifying assumptions that are implicit in each test method. The response of an aquifer system to stress is not unique; therefore, the system must be known sufficiently to select the proper analytical method.
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 guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide 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 of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
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Designation: D4043 − 96 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Aquifer Test Method in Determining Hydraulic
Properties by Well Techniques
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4043; 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—The units statement in 1.2 was revised editorially in September 2010.
1. Scope unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
document means only that the document has been approved
1.1 This guide covers an integral part of a series of
through the ASTM consensus process.
standards that are being prepared on the in situ determination
of hydraulic properties of aquifer systems by single- or
2. Referenced Documents
multiple-well tests. This guide provides guidance for develop-
ment of a conceptual model of a field site and selection of an
2.1 ASTM Standards:
analytical test method for determination of hydraulic proper-
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
ties. This guide does not establish a fixed procedure for
Fluids
determination of hydrologic properties.
D4044 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Properties of Aquifers
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
D4050 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
standard.
and Injection Well Testing for Determining Hydraulic
1.3 Limitations—Well techniques have limitations in the
Properties of Aquifer Systems
determination of hydraulic properties of groundwater flow
D4104 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining
systems. These limitations are related primarily to the simpli-
Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Over-
fying assumptions that are implicit in each test method. The
damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
response of an aquifer system to stress is not unique; therefore,
(Slug Tests)
the system must be known sufficiently to select the proper
D4105 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
analytical method.
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Modified Theis Nonequi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
librium Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D4106 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
Method
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
D4630 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
Storage Coefficient of Low-Permeability Rocks by In Situ
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
D4631 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Mea-
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
surements Using Pressure Pulse Technique
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
D5269 Test Method for DeterminingTransmissivity of Non-
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Recovery Method
D5270 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM 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 Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D4043–96(2004). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4043-96(2010)E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4043 − 96 (2010)
Storage Coefficient of Bounded, Nonleaky, Confined 3.1.9 piezometer—a device used to measure static head at a
Aquifers point in the subsurface.
D5472 Test Method for Determining Specific Capacity and
3.1.10 specific capacity—the rate of discharge from a well
Estimating Transmissivity at the Control Well
divided by the drawdown of the water level within the well at
D5473 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure for) Analyz-
a specific time since pumping started.
ing the Effects of Partial Penetration of Control Well and
3.1.11 specific storage—the volume of water released from
Determining the Horizontal and Vertical Hydraulic Con-
ortakenintostorageperunitvolumeoftheporousmediumper
ductivity in a Nonleaky Confined Aquifer
unit change in head.
D5716 Test Method for Measuring the Rate of Well Dis-
3.1.12 specific yield—the ratio of the volume of water that
charge by Circular Orifice Weir
the saturated rock or soil will yield by gravity to the volume of
D5785 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
the rock or soil. In the field, specific yield is generally
mining Transmissivity of Confined NonleakyAquifers by
determined by tests of unconfined aquifers and represents the
Underdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
change that occurs in the volume of water in storage per unit
Head (Slug Test)
area of unconfined aquifer as the result of a unit change in
D5786 Practice for (Field Procedure) for Constant Draw-
head. Such a change in storage is produced by the draining or
down Tests in Flowing Wells for Determining Hydraulic
filling of pore space and is, therefore, mainly dependent on
Properties of Aquifer Systems
particle size, rate of change of the water table, and time of
D5850 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining
drainage.
Transmissivity, Storage Coefficient, and Anisotropy Ratio
from a Network of Partially Penetrating Wells
3.1.13 storage coeffıcient—the volume of water an aquifer
D5881 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining releases from or takes into storage per unit surface area of the
Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Criti-
aquifer per unit change in head. For a confined aquifer, the
cally Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in storage coefficient is equal to the product of specific storage
Head (Slug)
and aquifer thickness. For an unconfined aquifer, the storage
D5912 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining coefficient is approximately equal to the specific yield.
Hydraulic Conductivity of an Unconfined Aquifer by
3.1.14 transmissivity—the volume of water at the existing
Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
kinematic viscosity that will move in a unit time under a unit
Head (Slug) (Withdrawn 2013)
hydraulic gradient through a unit width of the aquifer.
D5920 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Tests of
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see
Anisotropic Unconfined Aquifers by Neuman Method
Terminology D653.
3. Terminology
4. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions:
4.1 An aquifer test method is a controlled field experiment
3.1.1 aquifer, confined—an aquifer bounded above and be-
made to determine the approximate hydraulic properties of
low by confining beds and in which the static head is above the
water-bearing material. The hydraulic properties that can be
top of the aquifer.
determined are specific to the test method. The hydraulic
3.1.2 aquifer, unconfined—an aquifer that has a water table.
properties that can be determined are also dependent upon the
instrumentation of the field test, the knowledge of the aquifer
3.1.3 barometric effıciency—the ratio of the change in depth
to water in a well to the change in barometric pressure, system at the field site, and conformance of the hydrogeologic
conditions at the field site to the assumptions of the test
expressed in length of water.
method. Hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficient of the
3.1.4 conceptual model—a simplified representation of the
aquifer are the basic properties determined by most test
hydrogeologic setting and the response of the flow system to
methods. Test methods can be designed also to determine
stress.
vertical and horizontal anisotropy, aquifer discontinuities, ver-
3.1.5 confining bed—ahydrogeologicunitoflesspermeable
tical hydraulic conductivity of confining beds, well efficiency,
material bounding one or more aquifers.
turbulent flow, and specific storage and vertical permeability of
3.1.6 control well—wellbywhichtheaquiferisstressed,for
confining beds.
example, by pumping, injection, or change of head.
5. Procedure
3.1.7 hydraulic conductivity (field aquifer tests)—the vol-
ume of water at the existing kinematic viscosity that will move 5.1 The procedure for selection of an aquifer test method or
in a unit time under unit hydraulic gradient through a unit area
methods is primarily based on selection of a test method that is
measured at right angles to the direction of flow. compatible with the hydrogeology of the proposed test site.
Secondarily, the test method is selected on the basis of the
3.1.8 observation well—a well open to all or part of an
testing conditions specified by the test method, such as the
aquifer.
method of stressing or causing water-level changes in the
aquifer and the requirements of a test method for observations
of water level response in the aquifer. The decision tree in
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. Table 1 is designed to assist, first, in selecting test methods
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D4043 − 96 (2010)
TABLE 1 Decision Tree for Selection of Aquifer Test Method
applicable to specific hydrogeologic site characteristics. on the basis of the nature of the stress on the aquifer imposed
Secondly,thedecisiontreewillassistinselectingatestmethod
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D4043 − 96 (2010)
by the control well.The decision tree references the sections in extensive, leaky, and nonleaky confined aquifers or any situa-
this guide where the test methods are cited. tion where the response to a unit stress is known. Hantush (7)
developed drawdown functions for three types of decreases in
5.2 Pretest-Selection Procedures—Aquifer test methods are
control-well discharge. Abu-Zied and Scott (8) presented a
highly specific to the assumptions of the analytical solution of
generalsolutionfordrawdowninanextensiveconfinedaquifer
the test method. Reliability of determination of hydraulic
in which the discharge of the control well decreases at an
properties depends upon conformance of the hydrologic site
exponential rate. Aron and Scott (9) proposed an approximate
characteristics to the assumptions of the test method. A
test method of determining transmissivity and storage from an
prerequisite for selecting an aquifer test method is knowledge
aquifer test in which discharge decreases with time during the
of the hydrogeology of the test site. A conceptual understand-
early part of the test. Lai et al (10) presented test methods for
ing of the hydrogeology of the aquifer system at the prospec-
determining the drawdown in an aquifer taking into account
tive test site should be gained in as much detail as possible
storage in the control well and having an exponentially and
from existing literature and data, and a site reconnaissance. In
developing a site characterization, incorporate geologic linearly decreasing discharge.
mapping, driller’s logs, geophysical logs, records of existing
5.3.1.3 Constant Drawdown—Test methods have been pre-
wells, water-level and water-quality data, and results of geo-
sented to determine hydraulic-head distribution around a dis-
physical surveys. Include information on the thickness,
charging well in a confined aquifer with near constant draw-
lithology, stratification, depth, attitude, continuity, and extent
down. Such conditions are most commonly achieved by
of the aquifer and confining beds.
shutting in a flowing well long enough for the head to fully
recover, then opening the well. The solutions of Jacob and
5.3 Select Applicable Aquifer Test Methods—Select a test
method based on conformation of the site hydrogeology to Lohman (11) and Hantush (7) apply to aerially extensive,
assumptions of the test model and the parameters to be nonleaky aquifers. Rushton and Rathod (12) used a numerical
determined. A summary of principal aquifer test methods and
model to analyze aquifer-test data. Reed (13) presents a
their applicability to hydrogeologic site conditions is given in computer program that includes some of the above procedures
the following paragraphs. The decision tree for aquifer test
and also includes discharge as a fifth-degree polynomial of
selection, Table 1, provides a graphic display of the hydrogeo-
time.
logic site conditions for each test method and references to the
5.3.1.4 Slug Test Methods—Test methods for estimating
section where each test method is cited.
transmissivity by injecting a given quantity or slug of water
5.3.1 Extensive, Isotropic, Homogeneous, Confined, Non-
into a well were introduced by Hvorslev (14) and Ferris and
leaky Aquifer:
Knowles (15). Solutions to overdamped well response to slug
5.3.1.1 Constant Discharge—Test method in which the
tests have also been presented by Cooper et al (16). The
discharge or injection rate in the control well is constant are
solution presented by Cooper et al (16) is given inTest Method
given by the nonequilibrium method of Theis (1) for the
D4104. Solutions for slug tests in wells that exhibit oscillatory
drawdown and recovery phases. The Theis test method is the
water-level fluctuations caused by a sudden injection or re-
most widely referenced and applied aquifer test method and is
moval of a volume of water have been presented by Krauss
the basis for the solution to other more complicated boundary
(17), van der Kamp (18), and Shinohara and Ramey (19). The
condition problems. The Theis test method for the pumping or
van der Kamp (18) solution is given in Test Method D5785.
injection phase is given in Test Method D4106. Cooper and
Kipp
...
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