ASTM E2396-11

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method addresses performance characteristics for vegetative (green) roof systems with respect to the water permeability of the drainage media.
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.
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.
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.
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 inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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 and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Feb-2011
• 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 E2396-05 - Standard Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [Falling-Head Method] for Green Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2011
• Replaced By: 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-Jun-2015

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: E2396 − 11
StandardTest 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; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the 3.1 Definitions:
water permeability of coarse granular materials used in the 3.1.1 For terms related to building construction, refer to
drainage layers of vegetative (green) roof systems. Terminology E631.
3.1.2 For terms related to sustainability relative to the
1.2 This test method addresses water permeability under the
performance of buildings, refer to Terminology E2114.
low-head conditions that typify horizontal flow in vegetative
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(green) roof applications.
3.2.1 water permeability—the coefficient which when mul-
1.3 This test method is suitable for coarse-grained materials
tiplied by the hydraulic gradient will yield the apparent
with 100 % of the material retained on the U.S. #8 (2.25 mm)
velocity with which water (at 68°F) will move through a
sieve. It is not suitable for finer-grained materials.
cross-section of media.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.2 wet density—the density of coarse granular drainage
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
course materials determined after immersion for 24 hours.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4. Summary of Test Method
and are not considered standard.
4.1 This procedure involves measuring the water permeabil-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ity of coarse granular materials under the low-head conditions
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
that characterize the environment in vegetative (green) roof
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
systems. A falling-head technique is used. Incidental to the
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
procedure is the measurement of the wet density of the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
medium.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 This test method addresses performance characteristics
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
for vegetative (green) roof systems with respect to the water
and Voids in Aggregate
permeability of the drainage media.
C130 Specification for LightweightAggregates for Concrete
5.1.1 Water permeability of coarse materials is highly influ-
3
(Withdrawn 1954)
enced by the head conditions under which it is measured. In
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
vegetative (green) roofs, coarse materials are frequently used
E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Perfor-
to create drainage zones for percolated rainfall.
mance of Buildings
5.1.2 This test method is intended to provide water perme-
ability data that is relevant to this design condition that is
characterized by horizontal flow under low-head.This will also
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofing
allowtheperformanceofgranulardrainagelayersinvegetative
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.24 on
(green) roof systems to be compared directly to alternative
Sustainability.
components, such as geocomposite drain layers.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2011. Published April 2011. Originally
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E2396 – 05. DOI:
5.2 Determining the performance characteristics of vegeta-
10.1520/E2396-11.
2
tive (green) roof systems provides information to facilitate the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
assessment of related engineering aspects of the facility. Such
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
aspects may include structural design requirements, mechani-
the ASTM website.
3
cal engineering and thermal design requirements, and fire and
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. life safety requirements.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2396 − 11
5.3 Determining the performance characteristics of vegeta- (20.3-cm) mark. If the specific gravity of the pa
...

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:E2396–05 Designation: E2396 – 11
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; 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 Thistestmethodcoversaprocedurefordeterminingthewaterpermeabilityofcoarsegranularmaterialsusedinthedrainage
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 Thistestmethodissuitableforcoarse-grainedmaterialswith100 %ofthematerialretainedontheU.S. #8(2.25 mm)sieve.
It is not suitable for finer-grained materials.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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 and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
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
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.
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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E60 on Sustainability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E60.01 on Buildings and
Construction.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2005. Published August 2005. DOI: 10.1520/E2396-05.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2011. Published April 2011. Originally approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E2396 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/E2396-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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
Withdrawn. 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 – 11
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 Thistestmethodisintendedtoprovidewaterpermeabilitydatathatisrelevanttothisdesignconditionthatischaracterized
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 t
...