ASTM D5881-20

Standard Practice for (Analytical Procedures) Determining Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Critically Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 The assumptions of the physical system are given as follows:  
6.1.1 The aquifer is of uniform thickness, with impermeable upper and lower confining boundaries.  
6.1.2 The aquifer is of constant homogeneous porosity and matrix compressibility and constant homogeneous and isotropic hydraulic conductivity.  
6.1.3 The origin of the cylindrical coordinate system is taken to be on the well-bore axis at the top of the aquifer.  
6.1.4 The aquifer is fully screened.  
6.1.5 The well is 100 % efficient, that is, the skin factor, f, and dimensionless skin factor, σ, are zero.  
6.2 The assumptions made in defining the momentum balance are as follows:  
6.2.1 The average water velocity in the well is approximately constant over the well-bore section.  
6.2.2 Frictional head losses from flow in the well are negligible.  
6.2.3 Flow through the well screen is uniformly distributed over the entire aquifer thickness.  
6.2.4 Change in momentum from the water velocity changing from radial flow through the screen to vertical flow in the well are negligible.  
Note 1: Slug and pumping tests implicitly assume a porous medium. Fractured rock and carbonate settings may not provide meaningful data and information.
Note 2: The function of wells in any unconfined setting in a fractured terrain might make the determination of k problematic because the wells might only intersect tributary or subsidiary channels or conduits. The problems determining the k of a channel or conduit notwithstanding, the partial penetration of tributary channels may make a determination of a meaningful number difficult. If plots of k in carbonates and other fractured settings are made and compared, they may show no indication that there are conduits or channels present, except when with the lowest probability one maybe intersected by a borehole and can be verified, such problems are described by (5) Smart (1999). Additional guidance can be found in Guide D5717.
Note 3: The quality of the resu...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers determination of transmissivity from the measurement of water-level response to a sudden change of water level in a well-aquifer system characterized as being critically damped or in the transition range from underdamped to overdamped. Underdamped response is characterized by oscillatory changes in water level; overdamped response is characterized by return of the water level to the initial static level in an approximately exponential manner. Overdamped response is covered in Guide D4043; underdamped response is covered in Practice D5785/D5785M, Guide D4043.  
1.2 The analytical procedure in this practice is used in conjunction with Guide D4043 and the field procedure in Test Method D4044/D4044M for collection of test data.  
1.3 Limitations—Slug tests are considered to provide an estimate of the transmissivity of an aquifer near the well screen. The method is applicable for systems in which the damping parameter, ζ, is within the range from 0.2 through 5.0. The assumptions of the method prescribe a fully penetrating well (a well open through the full thickness of the aquifer) in a confined, nonleaky aquifer.  
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.  
1.5 Un...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 07.060 - Geology. Meteorology. Hydrology
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D5881 −20
Standard Practice for
(Analytical Procedures) Determining Transmissivity of
Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Critically Damped Well
1
Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5881; 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* this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
methods for engineering design.
1.1 This practice covers determination of transmissivity
from the measurement of water-level response to a sudden 1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
changeofwaterlevelinawell-aquifersystemcharacterizedas asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
being critically damped or in the transition range from under- standard.ReportingofresultsinunitsotherthanSIshallnotbe
damped to overdamped. Underdamped response is character- regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
ized by oscillatory changes in water level; overdamped re-
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
sponseischaracterizedbyreturnofthewaterleveltotheinitial
one or more specific operations.This document cannot replace
static level in an approximately exponential manner. Over-
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
damped response is covered in Guide D4043; underdamped
professional judgment. Not all aspects of the practice may be
responseiscoveredinPracticeD5785/D5785M,GuideD4043.
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
1.2 The analytical procedure in this practice is used in intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
conjunction with Guide D4043 and the field procedure in Test the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
Method D4044/D4044M for collection of test data. nor should this document be applied without the consideration
ofaproject’smanyuniqueaspects.Theword“Standard”inthe
1.3 Limitations—Slug tests are considered to provide an
title of this document means only that the document has been
estimate of the transmissivity of an aquifer near the well
approved through he ASTM consensus process.
screen. The method is applicable for systems in which the
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
dampingparameter, ζ,iswithintherangefrom0.2through5.0.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
The assumptions of the method prescribe a fully penetrating
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
well (a well open through the full thickness of the aquifer) in
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
a confined, nonleaky aquifer.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Practice D6026.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
2. Referenced Documents
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to com-
Fluids
mensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
2
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D5881–18. DOI: Standards volume information, refer t
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D5881 − 18 D5881 − 20
Standard Practice for
(Analytical Procedure)Procedures) Determining
Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Critically
Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
1
(Slug)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5881; 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*
1.1 This practice covers determination of transmissivity from the measurement of water-level response to a sudden change of
water level in a well-aquifer system characterized as being critically damped or in the transition range from underdamped to
overdamped. Underdamped response is characterized by oscillatory changes in water level; overdamped response is characterized
by return of the water level to the initial static level in an approximately exponential manner. Overdamped response is covered in
Guide D4043; underdamped response is covered in Practice D5785/D5785M, Guide D4043.
1.2 The analytical procedure in this practice is used in conjunction with Guide D4043 and the field procedure in Test Method
D4044/D4044M for collection of test data.
1.3 Limitations—Slug tests are considered to provide an estimate of the transmissivity of an aquifer near the well screen. The
method is applicable for systems in which the damping parameter, ζ, is within the range from 0.2 through 5.0. The assumptions
of the method prescribe a fully penetrating well (a well open through the full thickness of the aquifer) in a confined, nonleaky
aquifer.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate with these considerations. It
is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 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 the 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 the 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 he ASTM consensus process.
1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This test method 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.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018June 1, 2020. Published December 2018June 2020. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
D5881 – 13.D5881 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D5881-18.10.1520/D5881-20.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 1
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