ASTM D4491/D4491M-15

Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods are considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments of geotextiles since the methods have been used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing.  
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in reported test results when using these test methods for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens should then be randomly assigned in numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be compared using Student's t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before the start of testing. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or the purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future test results in light of the known bias.  
5.1.2 When the dispute involves test results produced with either the Method B Falling Head Test or the Method C Air Flow Test, the Method A Constant Head Test, performed with a 50-mm head should be used as the referee method.  
5.1.3 When the dispute involves Method C, the actual water temperature used for the water flow tests must be recorded and the viscosity of water at the test temperature must be used in the conversion from the air flow to water flow as described in Section 16, without the application of the temperature correction.  
5.1.4 Permittivity is an indicator of the quantity of water that can pass through a geotextile in an isolated condition.  
5.1.5 As there are many applications and environmental conditions under which a geotextile may be used, care should be taken whe...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the hydraulic conductivity (water permeability) of geotextiles in terms of permittivity under standard testing conditions, in the uncompressed state. Included are three procedures: the constant head and falling head methods using a water flow apparatus, and the air flow method using an air flow apparatus.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4491-99a(2014)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM D4491/D4491M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D7351/D7351M-21 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Sediment Retention Device (SRD) Effectiveness in Sheet Flow Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5494-93(2023) - Standard Test Method for the Determination of Pyramid Puncture Resistance of Unprotected and Protected Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6917-16(2022) - Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6461/D6461M-22 - Standard Specifications for Silt Fence Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6636-01(2023) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Ply Adhesion Strength of Reinforced Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5885/D5885M-20 - Standard Test Method for Oxidative Induction Time of Polyolefin Geosynthetics by High-Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6707/D6707M-06(2019) - Standard Specification for Circular-Knit Geotextile for Use in Subsurface Drainage Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5820-95(2018) - Standard Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of Dual-Seamed Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D4439-23b - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D7273/D7273M-08(2020) - Standard Guide for Acceptance Testing Requirements for Geonets and Geonet Drainage Geocomposites
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D1987-22 - Standard Test Method for Biological Clogging of Geotextile, Drainage Geocomposites, or Soil/Geotextile Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6365-99(2018) - Standard Practice for Nondestructive Testing of Geomembrane Seams Using the Spark Test
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5567-94(2018) - Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity Ratio (HCR) Testing of Soil/Geotextile Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-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: D4491/D4491M − 15
StandardTest Methods for
1
Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4491/D4491M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
3
1. Scope 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
Detailed Drawings and Materials List for Construction, 10
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
Drawings
the hydraulic conductivity (water permeability) of geotextiles
in terms of permittivity under standard testing conditions, in
3. Terminology
the uncompressed state. Included are three procedures: the
3.1 Definitions:
constant head and falling head methods using a water flow
3.1.1 geotextile, n—a permeable geosynthetic comprised
apparatus, and the air flow method using an air flow apparatus.
solely of textiles.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1.2 permeability, n—the rate of flow of a liquid under a
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
differential pressure through a material.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The nominal thickness is used as it is
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
difficult to evaluate the pressure on the geotextile during the
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
test, thereby making it difficult to determine the thickness of
with the standard.
the fabric under these test conditions.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 permeability, n—of geotextiles, hydraulic conductiv-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ity.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.4 permittivity, (ψ), (T−1), n—of geotextiles, the volu-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
metric flow rate of water per unit cross sectional area per unit
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
head under laminar flow conditions, in the normal direction
2. Referenced Documents
through a geotextile.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.5 For the definitions of other terms relating to
D123Terminology Relating to Textiles
geotextiles, refer toTerminology D4439. For the definitions of
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
textile terms, refer to Terminology D123. For the definition of
Fluids
coefficient of permeability, refer to Terminology D653.
D4439Terminology for Geosynthetics
4. Summary of Test Method
D5199Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness
of Geosynthetics
4.1 Water Flow Test Methods—These test methods describe
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
proceduresfordeterminingthepermittivityofgeotextilesusing
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
constant head or falling head test procedures with a water flow
apparatus:
1
4.1.1 Method A - Constant Head Test—Ahead of 50 mm of
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on
water is maintained on the geotextile throughout the test. The
Permeability and Filtration.
quantity of flow is measured versus time. The constant head
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2015.PublishedJuly2015.Originallyapproved
ɛ1 test is used when the flow rate of water through the geotextile
in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4491–99a(2014) . DOI:
is so large that it is difficult to obtain readings of head change
10.1520/D4491_D4491M-15.
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 Detailed drawings and a materials list for construction are available from
the ASTM website. ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD4491.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4491/D4491M − 15
versustimeinthefallingheadtest.Theconstantheadtestisthe be taken when attempting to apply the results of these test
referee method for this standard. methods to the field performance of a geotextile.
NOTE 1—Data has shown agreement between the falling and constant
5.2 Sincetherearegeotextilesofvariousthicknessesinuse,
4
head methods of determining permittivity of geotextiles. Selection of the
evaluation in terms of their Darcy coefficient of permeabilities
test method, that is,
...

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.
´1
Designation: D4491 − 99a (Reapproved 2014) D4491/D4491M − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4491;D4491/D4491M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in February 2014.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the hydraulic conductivity (water permeability) of geotextiles in terms
of permittivity under standard testing conditions, in the uncompressed state. Included are twothree procedures: the constant head
method and the falling head method.falling head methods using a water flow apparatus, and the air flow method using an air flow
apparatus.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The inch-pound units
stated in parentheses are provided for information only.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.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
Detailed Drawings and Materials List for Construction, 10 Drawings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 geotechnics, n—the application of scientific methods and engineering principles to the acquisition, interpretation, and use
of knowledge of materials of the earth’s crust to the solution of engineering problems.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
Filtration.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014July 1, 2015. Published February 2014July 2015. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20092014 as
ɛ1
D4491 – 99a(2009).(2014) . DOI: 10.1520/D4491-99AR14E01.10.1520/D4491_D4491M-15.
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
Detailed drawings and a materials list for construction are available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD4491.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Geotechnics embraces the fields of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and many of the engineering aspects of geology, geophysics,
hydrology, and related sciences.
3.1.1 geotextile, n—a permeable geosynthetic comprised solely of textiles.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D4491/D4491M − 15
3.1.2 permeability, n—the rate of flow of a liquid under a differential pressure through a material.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
The nominal thickness is used as it is difficult to evaluate the pressure on the geotextile during the test, thereby making it difficult
to determine the thickness of the fabric under these test conditions.
3.1.3 permeability, n—of geotextiles, hydraulic conductivity.
3.1.4 permittivity, (ψ), (T−1), n—of geotextiles, the volumetric flow rate of water per unit cross sectional area per unit head
under laminar flow conditions, in the normal direction through a geotextile.
3.1.5 For the definitions of other terms relating to geotextiles, refer to Terminology D4439. For the definitions of textile terms,
refer to Terminology D123. For the definition of coefficient of permeability, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Methods Method
4.1 W
...