ASTM E2396/E2396M-19

Standard Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [Falling-Head Method] for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method addresses performance characteristics for vegetative (green) roof systems with respect to the water permeability of the drainage media.  
5.1.1 Water permeability of coarse materials is highly influenced by the head conditions under which it is measured. In vegetative (green) roofs, coarse materials are frequently used to create drainage zones for percolated rainfall.  
5.1.2 This test method is intended to provide water permeability data that is relevant to this design condition that is characterized by horizontal flow under low-head. This will also allow the performance of granular drainage layers in vegetative (green) roof systems to be compared directly to alternative components, such as geocomposite drain layers.  
5.2 Determining the performance characteristics of vegetative (green) roof systems provides information to facilitate the assessment of related engineering aspects of the facility. Such aspects may include structural design requirements, mechanical engineering and thermal design requirements, and fire and life safety requirements.  
5.3 Determining the performance characteristics of vegetative (green) roof systems provides information to facilitate assessment of the performance of one vegetative (green) roof system relative to another.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the water permeability of coarse granular materials used in the drainage layers of vegetative (green) roof systems.  
1.2 This test method addresses water permeability under the low-head conditions that typify horizontal flow in vegetative (green) roof applications.  
1.3 This test method is suitable for coarse-grained materials with 100 % of the material retained on the U.S. #8 [2.25 mm] sieve. It is not suitable for finer-grained materials.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2019
• ICS: 65.020.20 - Plant growing
• ICS: 91.060.20 - Roofs
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.24 - Sustainability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2396/E2396M-15 - Standard Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [Falling-Head Method] for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM E2114-17 - Standard Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM C29/C29M-16 - Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Refers: ASTM C29/C29M-17 - Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E2788/E2788M-18 - Standard Specification for Use of Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Component in the Growing Media and the Drainage Layer for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E2777-20 - Standard Guide for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E2397/E2397M-19 - Standard Practice for Determination of Dead Loads and Live Loads Associated with Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019

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: E2396/E2396M − 19
Standard Test Method for
Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media
1
[Falling-Head Method] for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2396/E2396M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
and Voids in Aggregate
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
C130 Specification for LightweightAggregates for Concrete
water permeability of coarse granular materials used in the
3
(Withdrawn 1954)
drainage layers of vegetative (green) roof systems.
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.2 This test method addresses water permeability under the
E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Perfor-
low-head conditions that typify horizontal flow in vegetative
mance of Buildings
(green) roof applications.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method is suitable for coarse-grained materials
with 100 % of the material retained on the U.S. #8 [2.25 mm]
3.1 Definitions:
sieve. It is not suitable for finer-grained materials.
3.1.1 For terms related to building construction, refer to
Terminology E631.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1.2 For terms related to sustainability relative to the
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
performance of buildings, refer to Terminology E2114.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
3.2.1 water permeability—the coefficient which when mul-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
tiplied by the hydraulic gradient will yield the apparent
with the standard.
velocity with which water (at 68°F) will move through a
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cross-section of media.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 wet density—the density of coarse granular drainage
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
course materials determined after immersion for 24 hours.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and to
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
4. Summary of Test Method
use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Thisprocedureinvolvesmeasuringthewaterpermeabil-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ity of coarse granular materials under the low-head conditions
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
that characterize the environment in vegetative (green) roof
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
systems. A falling-head technique is used. Incidental to the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
procedure is the measurement of the wet density of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
medium.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 This test method addresses performance characteristics
for vegetative (green) roof systems with respect to the water
permeability of the drainage media.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofing
5.1.1 Water permeability of coarse materials is highly influ-
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.24 on
enced by the head conditions under which it is measured. In
Sustainability.
vegetative (green) roofs, coarse materials are frequently used
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2396/E2396M – 15.
to create drainage zones for percolated rainfall.
DOI: 10.1520/E2396_E2396M-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2396/E2396M − 19
5.1.2 This test method is intended to provide water perme- 7. Conditioning
ability data that is relevant to this design condition that is
7.1 Before conducting the tests, wi
...

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: E2396/E2396M − 15 E2396/E2396M − 19
Standard Test Method for
Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media
1
[Falling-Head Method] for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2396/E2396M; 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 test method covers a procedure for determining the water permeability of coarse granular materials used in the drainage
layers of vegetative (green) roof systems.
1.2 This test method addresses water permeability under the low-head conditions that typify horizontal flow in vegetative
(green) roof applications.
1.3 This test method is suitable for coarse-grained materials with 100 % of the material retained on the U.S. #8 [2.25 mm] sieve.
It is not suitable for finer-grained materials.
1.4 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.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and to determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
3
C130 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete (Withdrawn 1954)
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For terms related to building construction, refer to Terminology E631.
3.1.2 For terms related to sustainability relative to the performance of buildings, refer to Terminology E2114.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 water permeability—the coefficient which when multiplied by the hydraulic gradient will yield the apparent velocity with
which water (at 68°F) will move through a cross-section of media.
3.2.2 wet density—the density of coarse granular drainage course materials determined after immersion for 24 hours.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.24 on
Sustainability.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015Feb. 1, 2019. Published July 2015February 2019. Originally approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 20112015 as
E2396 – 11.E2396/E2396M – 15. DOI: 10.1520/E2396_E2396M-15.10.1520/E2396_E2396M-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2396/E2396M − 19
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This procedure involves measuring the water permeability of coarse granular materials under the low-head conditions that
characterize the environment in vegetative (green) roof systems. A falling-head technique is used. Incidental to the procedure is
the measurement of the wet density of the medium.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method addresses performance characteristics for vegetative (green) roof systems with respect to the water
permeability of the drainage media.
5.1.1 Water permeability of coarse materials is highly influenced by the head conditions under which it is measured. In
vegetative (green) roofs, coarse materials are frequently used t
...