ASTM D5389-93(2019)

Standard Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement by Acoustic Velocity Meter Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used where high accuracy of velocity or continuous discharge measurement over a long period of time is required and other test methods of measurement are not feasible due to low velocities in the channel, variable stage-discharge relations, complex stage-discharge relations, or the presence of marine traffic. It has the additional advantages of requiring no moving parts, introducing no head loss, and providing virtually instantaneous readings (1 to 100 readings per second).  
5.2 The test method may require a relatively large amount of site work and survey effort and is therefore most suitable for permanent or semi-permanent installations.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of flow rate of water in open channels, streams, and closed conduits with a free water surface.  
1.2 The test method covers the use of acoustic transmissions to measure the average water velocity along a line between one or more opposing sets of transducers—by the time difference or frequency difference techniques.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 6.  
1.5 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-Oct-2019
• ICS: 17.120.20 - Flow in open channels
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.07 - Sediments, Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3850-19 - Standard Test Method for Rapid Thermal Degradation of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials By Thermogravimetric Method (TGA)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D5674-22 - Standard Guide for Operation of a Gaging Station
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM C1745/C1745M-18 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Characteristics of Hydrodynamic Stormwater Separators and Underground Settling Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM C1814/C1814M-20 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Characteristics of Stormwater Filtration Elements
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-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: D5389 − 93 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Open-Channel Flow Measurement by Acoustic Velocity
1
Meter Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5389; 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 D3858 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
of Water by Velocity-Area Method
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of flow rate of
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water in open channels, streams, and closed conduits with a 2.2 ISO Standard:
free water surface. ISO 6416 Liquid Flow Measurements in Open Channels—
Measurement of Discharge by the Ultrasonic (Acoustic)
1.2 Thetestmethodcoverstheuseofacoustictransmissions
Method
tomeasuretheaveragewatervelocityalongalinebetweenone
or more opposing sets of transducers—by the time difference
3. Terminology
or frequency difference techniques.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
standard.
Terminology D1129.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 acoustic path, n—the straight line between the centers
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of two acoustic transducers.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2 acoustic path length, n—the face-to-face distance
Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 6.
between transducers on an acoustic path.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.3 acoustic transducer, n—a device that is used to gen-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
erate acoustic signals when driven by an electric voltage, and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conversely, a device that is used to generate an electric voltage
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
when excited by an acoustic signal.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.4 acoustic travel time, n—the time required for an
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
acoustic signal to propagate along an acoustic path, either
upstream or downstream.
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.2.5 discharge, n—the rate of flow expressed in units of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
volume of water per unit of time. The discharge includes any
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
sediment or other materials that may be dissolved or mixed
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
with it.
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3850 Test Method for RapidThermal Degradation of Solid
3.2.6 line velocity, n—the downstream component of water
Electrical Insulating Materials By Thermogravimetric
velocity averaged over an acoustic path.
Method (TGA)
3.2.7 measurement plane, n—the plane formed by two or
more parallel acoustic paths of different elevations.
3.2.8 path velocity, n—the water velocity averaged over the
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
acoustic path.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
3.2.9 stage, n—the height of a water surface above an
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published January 2020. Originally
established (or arbitrary) datum plane; also gage height.
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5389 – 93 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/D5389-93R19.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5389 − 93 (2019)
FIG. 1 Velocity Component Used in Developing Travel-Time
Equations
FIG. 3 Example of Acoustic Velocity/Flow Measuring System
principle that the point-to-point upstream traveltime of an
acoustic pulse is longer than the downstream traveltime and
that this difference in travel time can be accurately measured
by electron
...