ASTM D4630-96

Standard Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Low-Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test

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  [mu]m  (1 millidarcy) using constant head injection.  
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.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-1996
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.21 - Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4630-96(2002) - Standard Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Low-Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

Designation: D 4630 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Determining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Low-
Permeability Rocks by In Situ Measurements Using the
1
Constant Head Injection Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4630; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
where:
S 5 specific storage.
1.1 This test method covers a field procedure for determin-
s
The ebrss is the specific storage of a material if it were
ing the transmissivity and storativity of geological formations
−3 2
homogeneous and porous over the entire interval. The specific
having permeabilities lower than 10 μm (1 millidarcy) using
storage is given as follows:
constant head injection.
1.2 The transmissivity and storativity values determined by
S 5rg ~C 1 nC ! (4)
s b w
this test method provide a good approximation of the capacity
where:
of the zone of interest to transmit water, if the test intervals are
C 5 bulk rock compressibility,
b
representative of the entire zone and the surrounding rock is
C 5 fluid compressibility, and
w
fully water-saturated.
n 5 formation porosity.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
2.2 Symbols:
standard.
−1 2
2.2.1 C —bulk rock compressibility (M LT ).
b
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
−1 2
2.2.2 C —compressibility of water (M LT ).
w
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.2.3 G—dimensionless function.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
−1
2.2.4 K—hydraulic conductivity (LT ).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2.2.4.1 Discussion—The use of symbol K for the term
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
hydraulic conductivity is the predominant usage in ground
water literature by hydrogeologists, whereas the symbol k is
2. Terminology
commonly used for this term in the rock and soil mechanics
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and soil science literature.
2.1.1 transmissivity, T—the transmissivity of a formation of
−1 −2
2.2.5 P—excess test hole pressure (ML T ).
thickness, b, is defined as follows:
3 −1
2.2.6 Q—excess water flow rate (L T ).
T 5 K·b (1)
3 −1
2.2.7 Q —maximum excess water flow rate (L T ).
o
2.2.8 S—storativity (or storage coefficient) (dimensionless).
where:
−1
2.2.9 S —specific storage (L ).
K 5 hydraulic conductivity. s
2 −1
2.2.10 T—transmissivity (L T ).
The hydraulic conductivity, K, is related to the permeability,
2.2.11 b—formation thickness (L).
k, as follows:
2.2.12 e—fracture aperture (L).
K 5 krg/μ (2)
−2
2.2.13 g—acceleration due to gravity (LT ).
2
2.2.14 k—permeability (L ).
where:
r5 fluid density, 2.2.15 n—porosity (dimensionless).
μ 5 fluid viscosity, and 2.2.16 r —radius of test hole (L).
w
g 5 acceleration due to gravity.
2.2.17 t—time elapsed from start of test (T).
2.1.2 storage coeffıcient, S—the storage coefficient of a
2.2.18 a—dimensionless parameter.
−1 −1
formation of thickness, b, is defined as follows: 2.2.19 μ—viscosity of water (ML T ).
−3
2.2.20 r—density of water (ML ).
S 5 S ·b (3)
s
3. Summary of Test Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil
3.1 A borehole is first drilled into the rock mass, intersecting
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water
the geological formations for which the transmissivity and
and Vadose Zone Investigations.
storativity are desired. The borehole is cored through potential
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1996. Published June 1997. Originally
e1
zones of interest, and is later subjected to geophysical borehole
published as D 4630 – 86. Last previous edition D 4630 – 86 (1991) .
1

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D 4630
logging over these intervals. During the test, each interval of
interest is packed off at top and bottom with inflatable rubber
packers attached to high-pressure steel tubing.
3.2 The test itself involves rapidly applying a constant
pressure to the water in the packed-off interval and tubing
string, and recording the resulting changes in water flow rate.
The water flow rate is measured by one of a series of flow
meters of different sensitivities located at the surface. The
initial transient water flow rate is dependent on the transmis-
sivity and storativity of the rock surrounding the test interval
and on the volume of water contained in the packed-off interval
and tubing string.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Test Method—The constant pressure injection test
method is used to determine the transmissivity and storativity
of low-permeability
...