ASTM F1815-11(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity, and Bulk Density of Athletic Field Rootzones
Standard Test Methods for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity, and Bulk Density of Athletic Field Rootzones
ABSTRACT
These test methods cover the standard procedures and related calculations for determining the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, porosity, and bulk density of sand-based root zone mixtures used in the construction and topdressing of golf course putting greens including United States Golf Association (USGA) recommended greens, golf course tees, sand-based sports fields, and other highly trafficked turfgrass areas. These test methods are not designed for use with fine or medium textured soils such as sandy loams and loams. Test Method A is used to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity by maintaining water flow through the core at a constant hydraulic head until a steady flow rate is achieved, at which time aliquots of the outflow are collected. Test Method B, on the other hand, is used to determine water retention and bulk density. Water retention is obtained at a soil suction, wherein water is extracted from a prepared core by means of a tension table or other water extraction apparatus. And when equilibrium is achieved after the core has been oven dried, the weight is recorded. Bulk density is, then, calculated from the mix or sand dry weight and volume. Test Method C is used to calculate the total porosity from the bulk density and particle density. And lastly, Test Method D is used to calculate the capillary and air-filled porosities. Capillary porosity is calculated from the bulk density and water retention information, while, the air-filled or aeration porosity is calculated from the difference of the total and capillary porosities.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the measurements of saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, porosity (including distribution of capillary and air-filled porosity at a known soil suction), and bulk density on sand-based root zone mixes to be used for construction and topdressing of golf course putting greens including United States Golf Association (USGA) recommended greens, golf course tees, sand-based sports fields, or other highly trafficked turfgrass areas. These test methods are designed for sand-based mixes and are not intended for use with fine or medium textured soils, for example, sandy loams and loams.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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
Relations
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: F1815 − 11 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity,
and Bulk Density of Athletic Field Rootzones
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1815; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2974Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
1.1 Thesetestmethodscoverthemeasurementsofsaturated
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
hydraulic conductivity, water retention, porosity (including
D4643Test Method for Determination of Water Content of
distribution of capillary and air-filled porosity at a known soil
Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating
suction),andbulkdensityonsand-basedrootzonemixestobe
D4959Test Method for Determination of Water Content of
used for construction and topdressing of golf course putting
Soil By Direct Heating
greens including United States Golf Association (USGA)
D5550Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
recommended greens, golf course tees, sand-based sports
Gas Pycnometer
fields, or other highly trafficked turfgrass areas. These test
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
methods are designed for sand-based mixes and are not
Sieves
intended for use with fine or medium textured soils, for
F1647Test Methods for Organic Matter Content ofAthletic
example, sandy loams and loams.
Field Rootzone Mixes
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for 3. Summary of Test Method
information only.
3.1 Test Method A—Saturated hydraulic conductivity is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determined on compacted, saturated mix or sand soil cores.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Water flow through the core is maintained at a constant
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- hydraulic head until a steady flow rate is achieved, at which
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- time aliquots of the outflow are collected.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Test Method B—Water retention is obtained at a soil
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
suction as defined by the design architect or engineer in the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specifications.Inlieuofaspecification,oriftestingforUSGA
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
greens,thewaterretentionshallbedeterminedatasoilsuction
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of30cm.Thewatershallbeextractedfromapreparedcoreby
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
means of a tension table or other water extraction apparatus.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Whenequilibriumisachieved,theweightisrecorded.Thecore
is oven dried at 105°C until a constant weight is obtained.
2. Referenced Documents
Water retention is calculated on an oven dried basis. Bulk
2.1 ASTM Standards:
density is calculated from the mix or sand dry weight and
D854Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
volume.
Water Pycnometer
3.3 Test Method C—Total porosity is calculated from the
D2216TestMethodsforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
bulk density and particle density.
3.4 Test Method D—Capillary porosity is calculated from
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on
the bulk density and water retention information. Air-filled or
Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and are the direct responsibility
aeration porosity is calculated from the difference of total and
of Subcommittee F08.64 on Natural Playing Surfaces.
capillary porosity.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F1815–11. DOI:
4. Apparatus
10.1520/F1815-11R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1 Cylinders, made of metal, PVC, or similar rigid mate-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
rials shall have an inside diameter of 51 or 76+2mm(2or3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. + 0.08 in.), and a height of 76+2mm(3+ 0.08 in.).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1815 − 11 (2018)
4.4 Tension or Porous Plate Apparatus, capable of extract-
ing water out of the cores at a soil suction of up to 4 kPa (40
cm suction). Fig. 2 shows an example of a tension table.
4.5 Oven, capable of maintaining a constant temperature of
105 6 5°C.
4.6 Balance—A balance sensitive to 0.1 g.
4.7 Thermometer, accurate to 0.5°C.
4.8 Sieves, No. 5 (4 mm).
5. Preparation of Samples
5.1 Premixed Samples:
5.1.1 The cylinders should be prepared by attaching a
double layer of cheesecloth or other suitable cloth material,
includingbrass,stainlesssteel,orfiberglass,ontothebottomof
each cylinder. The cheesecloth or other material should be
trimmed to a consistent size prior to or after placement on the
cylinder. Weigh and record the weight of each cylinder.
5.1.2 Screen the root zone mixture through a No. 5 (4 mm)
sieve to remove peat clods and other debris. Peat clods should
be broken up and returned to the sample.
5.1.3 In mixes containing peat or other organic
amendments, determine percent organic matter using one of
the methods inTest Methods F1647 to quantify organic matter
content on a weight basis. This value and the method used
should be reported so that field checks of mixes can be made
to assure that the mix corresponds to that developed in the
laboratory
5.1.4 The gravimetric water content of the sample shall be
determined by a referenced (Test Methods D2216, D4643,
D4959) or other appropriate method. The water content of the
NOTE 1—It has been found that 15 drops of the hammer from a height
of 305 mm (12 in.) (as measured from the bottom of the weight to the top
sample shall be adjusted to 8 + 0.5% by adding water to the
oftheanvil)willproduceadegreeofcompactioncomparabletoaseverely
sample by misting if the antecedent water content is below
compactedputtinggreen,providedthesoilcontainsmoistureapproximat-
8%,orbyairdryingthesampleiftheantecedentwatercontent
ing field capacity.
is above 8%.Water content is expressed on a dry weight basis
FIG. 1 A Suggested Impact-Type Compactor to Produce a Total
((wt. water/wt. dry soil) × 100).
Dynamic Energy of 3.03 J/cm Across the Surface Cross-
Sectional Area of the Core
5.1.5 Place moistened root zone mix into the cylinder,
tappinggentlyonafirmsurfaceasmixisadded.Addsufficient
quantities of mix to fill the cylinder. The intent here is to have
4.2 Compactor, shall be such as to exert a total potential
the surface of the compacted mix or sand within 10 mm from
2 2
energy of 3.03 J/cm (14.3 ft-lb/in. ) across the cross-sectional
thetop,butnotabovethelipofa76mmheightcylinder.Ifthe
area of the core. Fig. 1 shows an example of such a device
level of the compacted mix is above 76 mm or below 66 mm,
whereaweightedhammerisdropped15timesfromaheightof
remove the mix and repack the cores. To ensure a sufficient
305+2mm(12+0.08in.).A51mm(2in.)diametercorewill
height(66to76mm)ofthecompactedmixorsand,acylinder
require 15 drops of a 1.36 kg (3 lb) hammer from a height of
longer than 76 mm can be used or a second cylinder of the
305 mm (12 in.). A76 mm core will require 15 drops of a 3.02
same diameter and 2 cm or greater in height can be secured to
kg(6.7lb)hammerfromaheightof305mm(12in).Thedrops
a 76 mm test cylinder prior to filling and compaction of the
shall be completed within 1 min. The compactor shall rest on
sample. This cylinder is removed after compaction.
arigidfoundationsuchasacubeofconcretewithamassofnot
5.1.6 Place the cylinder in a pan of water and allow it to
lessthan40kg(90lb).Securethebaseofthecompactortothe
saturate from the bottom up for at least 30 min, until the mix
foundation. The diameter of the compaction foot should be
inthecoreisvisiblysaturated.Thelevelofthewaterinthepan
sufficient to prevent binding with the inside wall of the
shallbewithin2mmbelowthetopofthecores.Becarefulnot
cylinder, but no more than 2 mm smaller in diameter than the
to splash any water onto the mix or sand surface.
inside diameter of the cylinder. The clearance between bush-
5.1.7 Place the cylinders on a tension table or other water
ings and the guide rod should be sufficient to prevent binding,
extracting device, set to remove water at the desired soil
but should be no greater than 2 mm.
suction (see Fig. 2 for proper measurement). Samples evalu-
4.3 Permeameter,capableofmaintainingaconstantheadof ated for USGA greens should have water extracted at a soil
water for several hours. suction of -3 kPa (30 cm). Leave sample cores on the tension
F1815 − 11 (2018)
FIG. 2 Suggested Tension Apparatus Capable of Extracting Water out of the Mix or Sand Cores
table for at least 16 h. Cover the tension table and cylinders 5.1.8 Place the cylinder onto the base of the compactor, and
with a plastic sheet or similar cover to minimize evaporation drop the weight 15 times from a height of 305+2mm (12+
from the surface of the cores and the tension table. 0.08 in.).
F1815 − 11 (2018)
TABLE 1 Correction Factor (R ) for the Viscosity of Water at
t
Various Temperatures
Temperature, R
t
°C
15 1.135
16 1.106
17 1.077
18 1.051
19 1.025
20 1.00
21 0.976
22 0.953
23 0.931
24 0.910
25 0.900
26 0.869
27 0.850
28 0.832
29 0.814
NOTE 1—The hydraulic head (h) is measured from the bottom of the
30 0.797
soil column
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