ASTM D4631-95(2008)

Standard Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using Pressure Pulse Technique (Withdrawn 2017)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Test Method—The pulse test method is used to determine the transmissivity and storativity of low-permeability formations surrounding the packed-off intervals. This test method is considerably shorter in duration than the pump and slug tests used in more permeable rocks. To obtain results to the desired accuracy, pump and slug tests in low-permeability formations are too time consuming, as indicated in Fig. 1 (from Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1)).  
Analysis—The transient pressure data obtained using the suggested method are evaluated by the curve-matching technique described by Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1), or by an analytical technique proposed by Wang et al (2). The latter is particularly useful for interpreting pulse tests when only the early-time transient pressure decay data are available.
Units:  
Conversions—The permeability of a formation is often expressed in terms of the unit darcy. A porous medium has a permeability of 1 darcy when a fluid of viscosity 1 cP (1 mPa·s) flows through it at a rate of 1 cm3/s (10−6 m 3/s)/1 cm2  (10−4 m2) cross-sectional area at a pressure differential of 1 atm (101.4 kPa)/1 cm (10 mm) of length. One darcy corresponds to 0.987 μm2. For water as the flowing fluid at 20°C, a hydraulic conductivity of 9.66 μm/s corresponds to a permeability of 1 darcy.
Viscosity of Water—Table 1 shows the viscosity of water as a function of temperature.
TABLE 1 Viscosity of Water as a Function of Temperature  Temperature, °CAbsolute Viscosity, mPa·s  01.79  21.67  41.57  61.47  81.39 10 1.31 12 1.24 14 1.17 16 1.11 18 1.06 20 1.00 22 0.96 24 0.91 26 0.87 28 0.84 30 0.80 32 0.77 34 0.74 36 0.71 38 0.68 40 0.66
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a field procedure for determining the transmissivity and storativity of geological formations having permeabilities lower than 10−3  μm2  (1 millidarcy) using the pressure pulse technique.
1.2 The transmissivity and storativity values determined by this test method provide a good approximation of the capacity of the zone of interest to transmit water, if the test intervals are representative of the entire zone and the surrounding rock is fully water saturated.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This test method covers a field procedure for determining the transmissivity and storativity of geological formations having permeabilities lower than 10−3 μm2 (1 millidarcy) using the pressure pulse technique.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, this test method was withdrawn in January 2017 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-2008
• Withdrawal Date: 08-Jan-2017
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4631-95(2000) - Standard Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using Pressure Pulse Technique
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D4631-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using Pressure Pulse Technique
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D5876/D5876M-17 - Standard Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Wireline Casing Advancement Drilling Methods for Geoenvironmental Exploration and Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D420-18 - Standard Guide for Site Characterization for Engineering Design and Construction Purposes
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6000/D6000M-15e1 - Standard Guide for Presentation of Water-Level Information from Groundwater Sites
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2008

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: D4631 − 95 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Transmissivity and Storativity of Low
Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using
1
Pressure Pulse Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4631; 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
ρ = fluid density,
µ = fluid viscosity, and
1.1 This test method covers a field procedure for determin-
g = acceleration due to gravity.
ing the transmissivity and storativity of geological formations
−3 2
havingpermeabilitieslowerthan10 µm (1millidarcy)using 2.1.2 storativity, S—thestorativity(orstoragecoefficient)of
the pressure pulse technique. a formation of thickness, b , is defined as follows:
1.2 The transmissivity and storativity values determined by S 5 S ·b (3)
s
this test method provide a good approximation of the capacity
where:
of the zone of interest to transmit water, if the test intervals are
S = equivalent bulk rock specific storage (ebrss).
s
representative of the entire zone and the surrounding rock is
The ebrss is defined as the specific storage of a material if it
fully water saturated.
were homogeneous and porous over the entire interval. The
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
specific storage is given as follows:
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
S 5 ρg C 1nC (4)
s ~ b w!
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
where:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C = bulk rock compressibility,
b
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
C = fluid compressibility, and
w
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
n = formation porosity.
2.2 Symbols:
2. Terminology
−1 2
2.2.1 C —bulk rock compressibility [M LT ].
b
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
−1 2
2.2.2 C —compressibility of water [M LT ].
2.1.1 transmissivity, T—the transmissivity of a formation of w
−1
thickness, b, is defined as follows:
2.2.3 K—hydraulic conductivity [ LT ].
2.2.3.1 Discussion—The use of the symbol K for the term
T 5 K·b (1)
hydraulic conductivity is the predominant usage in groundwa-
where:
ter literature by hydrogeolists, whereas the symbol k is com-
K = equivalent formation hydraulic conductivity (efhc).
monly used for this term in rock mechanics and soil science.
Theefhcisthehydraulicconductivityofamaterialifitwere
2.2.4 L—length of packed-off zone [ L].
homogeneous and porous over the entire interval. The hydrau-
−1 −2
2.2.5 P—excess test hole pressure [ ML T ].
lic conductivity, K, is related to the equivalent formation, k,as
−1 −2
2.2.6 P —initial pressure pulse [ML T ].
o
follows:
2.2.7 S—storativity (or storage coefficient) (dimensionless).
K 5 kρg/µ (2)
−1
2.2.8 S —specific storage [ L ].
s
where:
2 −1
2.2.9 T—transmissivity [L T ].
3
2.2.10 V —volume of water pulsed [L ].
1 w
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
2.2.11 b—formation thickness [ L].
Vadose Zone Investigations.
2.2.12 e—fracture aperture [ L].
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally
−2
approved in 1986. Discontinued April 1995 and reinstated as D4631–95. Last
2.2.13 g—acceleration due to gravity [ LT ].
previous edition approved in 2000 as D4631–95 (2000). DOI: 10.1520/D4631-
2
95R08. 2.2.14 k—permeability [L ].
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D4631 − 95 (2008)
2.2.15 n—porosity (dimensionless). formationsaretootimeconsuming,asindicatedinFig.1(from
2
Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1)).
2.2.16 r —radius of test hole [L].
w
4.2 Analysis—Thetransientpressuredataobtainedusingthe
2.2.17 t—time elapsed from pulse initiation [T].
suggested method are evaluated by the curve-matching tech-
2.2.18 α—dimensionless parameter.
nique described by Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1),orbyan
2.2.19 β—dimensionless parameter.
analytical technique proposed by Wang et al (2). The latter is
−1 −1
2.2.20 µ—viscosity of water [ML T ].
particularly useful for interpreting pulse tests when only the
−3
2.2.21 ρ—density of water [ ML ].
early-time transient pressure decay data are available.
4.3 Units:
3. Summary of Test Method
4.3.1 Conversions—The permeability of a formation is of-
3.1 Aboreholeisfirstdrilledintotherockmass,intersecting
ten expressed in terms of the unit darcy.Aporous medium has
the geologi
...