Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The hydraulic conductivity function (HCF) is fundamental to hydrological characterization of unsaturated soils and is required for most analyses of water movement in unsaturated soils. For instance, the HCF is a critical parameter to analyze the movement of water during infiltration or evaporation from soil specimens. This is relevant to the evaluation of water movement in landfill cover systems, stiffness changes in pavements due to water movement, recharge of water into aquifers, and extraction of pore water from soils for sampling.
Examples of HCFs reported in the technical literature are shown in Fig. 1(a), Fig. 1(b), and Fig. 1(c), for clays, silts, and sands, respectively. The decision to report a HCF in terms of suction or volumetric water content depends on the test method and instruments used to measure the HCF. The methods in Categories A and C will provide a HCF in terms of either suction or volumetric water content, while the methods in Category B will provide a HCF in terms of suction.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the quantitative measurement of data points suitable for defining the hydraulic conductivity functions (HCF) of unsaturated soils. The HCF is defined as either the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and matric suction or that between hydraulic conductivity and volumetric water content, gravimetric water content, or the degree of saturation. Darcy’s law provides the basis for measurement of points on the HCF, in which the hydraulic conductivity of a soil specimen is equal to the coefficient of proportionality between the flow rate of water through the specimen and the hydraulic gradient across the specimen. To define a point on the HCF, a hydraulic gradient is applied across a soil specimen, the corresponding transient or steady-state water flow rate is measured (or vice versa), and the hydraulic conductivity calculated using Darcy’s law is paired with independent measurements of matric suction or volumetric water content in the soil specimen.
1.2 These test methods describe a family of test methods that can be used to define points on the HCF for different types of soils. Unfortunately, there is no single test that can be applied to all soils to measure the HCF due to testing times and the need for stress control. It is the responsibility of the requestor of a test to select the method that is most suitable for a given soil type. Guidance is provided in the significance and use section of these test methods.
1.3 Similar to the Soil Water Retention Curve (SWRC), defined as the relationship between volumetric water content and matric suction, the HCF may not be a unique function. Both the SWRC and HCF may follow different paths whether the unsaturated soil is being wetted or dried. A test method should be selected which replicates the flow process occurring in the field.
1.4 These test methods describe three categories of methods (Categories A through C) for direct measurement of the HCF. Category A (column tests) involves methods used to define the HCF using measured one-dimensional profiles of volumetric water content or suction with height in a column of soil compacted into a rigid wall permeameter during imposed transient and steady-state water flow processes. Different means of imposing water flow processes are described in separate methods within Category A. Category B (axis translation tests) involves methods used to define the HCF using outflow measurements from a soil specimen underlain by a saturated high-air entry porous disc in a permeameter during imposed transient water flow processes. The uses of rigid-wall or flexible-wall permeameters are described in separate methods within Category B. Category C (centrifuge permeameter test) includes a method to define the HCF using measured volumetric water content or suction profiles in a column of soil confined in a centrifuge permeameter during imposed steady-state water flow processes. The m...

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ASTM D7664-10 - Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils
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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: D7664 − 10
Standard Test Methods for
Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated
1
Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7664; 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 HCF using measured one-dimensional profiles of volumetric
water content or suction with height in a column of soil
1.1 These test methods cover the quantitative measurement
compacted into a rigid wall permeameter during imposed
of data points suitable for defining the hydraulic conductivity
transient and steady-state water flow processes. Different
functions (HCF) of unsaturated soils. The HCF is defined as
means of imposing water flow processes are described in
either the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and
separate methods within Category A. Category B (axis trans-
matric suction or that between hydraulic conductivity and
lation tests) involves methods used to define the HCF using
volumetric water content, gravimetric water content, or the
outflow measurements from a soil specimen underlain by a
degree of saturation. Darcy’s law provides the basis for
saturated high-air entry porous disc in a permeameter during
measurement of points on the HCF, in which the hydraulic
imposed transient water flow processes. The uses of rigid-wall
conductivity of a soil specimen is equal to the coefficient of
or flexible-wall permeameters are described in separate meth-
proportionality between the flow rate of water through the
ods within Category B. Category C (centrifuge permeameter
specimen and the hydraulic gradient across the specimen. To
test) includes a method to define the HCF using measured
define a point on the HCF, a hydraulic gradient is applied
volumetricwatercontentorsuctionprofilesinacolumnofsoil
across a soil specimen, the corresponding transient or steady-
confined in a centrifuge permeameter during imposed steady-
state water flow rate is measured (or vice versa), and the
statewaterflowprocesses.Themethodsinthisstandardcanbe
hydraulic conductivity calculated using Darcy’s law is paired
used to measure hydraulic conductivity values ranging from
with independent measurements of matric suction or volumet-
the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil to approxi-
ric water content in the soil specimen.
-11
mately 10 m/s.
1.2 These test methods describe a family of test methods
1.5 The methods of data analysis described in these test
thatcanbeusedtodefinepointsontheHCFfordifferenttypes
methods involve measurement of the water flow rate and
of soils. Unfortunately, there is no single test that can be
hydraulic gradient, and calculation of the hydraulic conductiv-
appliedtoallsoilstomeasuretheHCFduetotestingtimesand
2
ity using Darcy’s law (direct methods) (1). Alternatively,
the need for stress control. It is the responsibility of the
inversemethodsmayalsobeusedtodefinetheHCF (2).These
requestor of a test to select the method that is most suitable for
employ an iterative, regression-based approach to estimate the
a given soil type. Guidance is provided in the significance and
hydraulicconductivitythatasoilspecimenwouldneedtohave
use section of these test methods.
given a measured water flow response. However, as they
1.3 Similar to the Soil Water Retention Curve (SWRC),
require specialized engineering analyses, they are excluded
defined as the relationship between volumetric water content
from the scope of these test methods.
and matric suction, the HCF may not be a unique function.
1.6 These test methods apply to soils that do not change
Both the SWRC and HCF may follow different paths whether
significantly in volume during changes in volumetric water
the unsaturated soil is being wetted or dried. A test method
content or suction, or both (that is, expansive clays or collaps-
should be selected which replicates the flow process occurring
ing soils). This implies that these methods should be used for
in the field.
sands, silts, and clays of low plasticity.
1.4 Thesetestmethodsdescribethreecategoriesofmethods
1.7 The methods apply only to soils containing two pore
(Categories A through C) for direct measurement of the HCF.
fluids: a gas and a liquid. The liquid is usually water and the
CategoryA(column tests) involves methods used to define the
gas is usually air. Other fluids may also be used if requested.
Caution shall be exercised if the liquid being used causes
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
shrinkage or swelling of the soil.
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic
Properties and Hydraulic Barriers.
2
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