ASTM D4043-96(2004)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D4043–96 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Aquifer Test Method in Determining Hydraulic
Properties by Well Techniques
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4043; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide covers an integral part of a series of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
standards that are being prepared on the in situ determination D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
of hydraulic properties of aquifer systems by single- or Fluids
multiple-well tests. This guide provides guidance for develop- D4044 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
ment of a conceptual model of a field site and selection of an Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
analytical test method for determination of hydraulic proper- Properties of Aquifers
ties. This guide does not establish a fixed procedure for D4050 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
determination of hydrologic properties. and Injection Well Tests for Determining Hydraulic Prop-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as erties of Aquifer Systems
standard. D4104 TestMethod(AnalyticalProcedure)forDetermining
1.3 Limitations—Well techniques have limitations in the Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Over-
determination of hydraulic properties of ground-water flow damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
systems. These limitations are related primarily to the simpli- (Slug Tests)
fying assumptions that are implicit in each test method. The D4105 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
response of an aquifer system to stress is not unique; therefore, mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
the system must be known sufficiently to select the proper leaky Confined Aquifers by the Modified Theis Nonequi-
analytical method. librium Method
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the D4106 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. D4630 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information Storage Coefficient of Low-Permeability Rocks by In Situ
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
course of action. This document cannot replace education or D4631 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Mea-
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all surements Using Pressure Pulse Technique
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre- D5269 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity of
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Recovery
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this Method
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many D5270 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this StorageCoefficientofBounded,Nonleaky,ConfinedAqui-
document means only that the document has been approved fers
through the ASTM consensus process. D5472 Test Method for Determining Specific Capacity and
Estimating Transmissivity at the Control Well
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2004. Published July 2004. Originally approved
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
´1
in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D4043 – 96 . DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D4043-96R04. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4043–96 (2004)
D5473 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure for) Analyz- the rock or soil. In the field, specific yield is generally
ing the Effects of Partial Penetration of Control Well and determined by tests of unconfined aquifers and represents the
Determining the Horizontal and Vertical Hydraulic Con- change that occurs in the volume of water in storage per unit
ductivity in a Nonleaky Confined Aquifer area of unconfined aquifer as the result of a unit change in
D5716 Test Method for Measuring the Rate of Well Dis- head. Such a change in storage is produced by the draining or
charge by Circular Orifice Weir filling of pore space and is, therefore, mainly dependent on
D5785 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter- particle size, rate of change of the water table, and time of
mining Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by drainage.
Underdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
3.1.13 storage coeffıcient—the volume of water an aquifer
Head (Slug Test) releases from or takes into storage per unit surface area of the
D5786 Practice for (Field Procedure) for Constant Draw- aquifer per unit change in head. For a confined aquifer, the
down Tests in Flowing Wells for Determining Hydraulic storage coefficient is equal to the product of specific storage
Properties of Aquifer Systems and aquifer thickness. For an unconfined aquifer, the storage
D5850 TestMethodfor(AnalyticalProcedure)Determining coefficient is approximately equal to the specific yield.
Transmissivity, Storage Coefficient, and Anisotropy Ratio
3.1.14 transmissivity—the volume of water at the existing
from a Network of Partially Penetrating Wells
kinematic viscosity that will move in a unit time under a unit
D5881 TestMethodfor(AnalyticalProcedure)Determining
hydraulic gradient through a unit width of the aquifer.
Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Criti-
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see
cally Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
Terminology D653.
Head (Slug)
D5912 TestMethodfor(AnalyticalProcedure)Determining
4. Significance and Use
Hydraulic Conductivity of an Unconfined Aquifer by
4.1 An aquifer test method is a controlled field experiment
Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
made to determine the approximate hydraulic properties of
Head (Slug)
water-bearing material. The hydraulic properties that can be
D5920 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Tests of
determined are specific to the test method. The hydraulic
Anisotropic Unconfined Aquifers by Neuman Method
properties that can be determined are also dependent upon the
instrumentation of the field test, the knowledge of the aquifer
3. Terminology
system at the field site, and conformance of the hydrogeologic
3.1 Definitions:
conditions at the field site to the assumptions of the test
3.1.1 aquifer, confined—an aquifer bounded above and
method. Hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficient of the
below by confining beds and in which the static head is above
aquifer are the basic properties determined by most test
the top of the aquifer.
methods. Test methods can be designed also to determine
3.1.2 aquifer, unconfined—an aquifer that has a water table.
vertical and horizontal anisotropy, aquifer discontinuities, ver-
3.1.3 barometric effıciency—the ratio of the change in depth
tical hydraulic conductivity of confining beds, well efficiency,
to water in a well to the change in barometric pressure,
turbulent flow, and specific storage and vertical permeability of
expressed in length of water.
confining beds.
3.1.4 conceptual model—a simplified representation of the
hydrogeologic setting and the response of the flow system to
5. Procedure
stress.
3.1.5 confining bed—a hydrogeologic unit of less perme- 5.1 The procedure for selection of an aquifer test method or
methods is primarily based on selection of a test method that is
able material bounding one or more aquifers.
3.1.6 controlwell—wellbywhichtheaquiferisstressed,for compatible with the hydrogeology of the proposed test site.
Secondarily, the test method is selected on the basis of the
example, by pumping, injection, or change of head.
testing conditions specified by the test method, such as the
3.1.7 hydraulic conductivity (field aquifer tests)—the vol-
method of stressing or causing water-level changes in the
ume of water at the existing kinematic viscosity that will move
aquifer and the requirements of a test method for observations
in a unit time under unit hydraulic gradient through a unit area
measured at right angles to the direction of flow. of water level response in the aquifer. The decision tree in
Table 1 is designed to assist, first, in selecting test methods
3.1.8 observation well—a well open to all or part of an
aquifer. applicable to specific hydrogeologic site characteristics. Sec-
ondly, the decision tree will assist in selecting a test method on
3.1.9 piezometer—a device used to measure static head at a
point in the subsurface. the basis of the nature of the stress on the aquifer imposed by
the control well. The decision tree references the sections in
3.1.10 specific capacity—the rate of discharge from a well
divided by the drawdown of the water level within the well at this guide where the test methods are cited.
a specific time since pumping started. 5.2 Pretest-Selection Procedures—Aquifer test methods are
3.1.11 specific storage—the volume of water released from highly specific to the assumptions of the analytical solution of
ortakenintostorageperunitvolumeoftheporousmediumper the test method. Reliability of determination of hydraulic
unit change in head. properties depends upon conformance of the hydrologic site
3.1.12 specific yield—the ratio of the volume of water that characteristics to the assumptions of the test method. A
the saturated rock or soil will yield by gravity to the volume of prerequisite for selecting an aquifer test method is knowledge
D4043–96 (2004)
TABLE 1 Decision Tree for Selection of Aquifer Test Method
of the hydrogeology of the test site. A conceptual understand- from existing literature and data, and a site reconnaissance. In
ing of the hydrogeology of the aquifer system at the prospec- developing a site characterization, incorporate geologic map-
tive test site should be gained in as much detail as possible ping, driller’s logs, geophysical logs, records of existing wells,
D4043–96 (2004)
water-level and water-quality data, and results of geophysical 5.3.1.3 Constant Drawdown—Test methods have been pre-
surveys. Include information on the thickness, lithology, strati- sented to determine hydraulic-head distribution around a dis-
fication, depth, attitude, continuity, and extent of the aquifer
charging well in a confined aquifer with near constant draw-
and confining beds. down. Such conditions are most commonly achieved by
shutting in a flowing well long enough for the head to fully
5.3 Select Applicable Aquifer Test Methods—Select a test
method based on conformation of the site hydrogeology to recover, then opening the well. The solutions of Jacob and
Lohman (11) and Hantush (7) apply to aerially extensive,
assumptions of the test model and the parameters to be
determined. A summary of principal aquifer test methods and nonleaky aquifers. Rushton and Rathod (12) used a numerical
their applicability to hydrogeologic site conditions is given in model to analyze aquifer-test data. Reed (13) presents a
the following paragraphs. The decision tree for aquifer test computer program that includes some of the above procedures
selection, Table 1, provides a graphic display of the hydrogeo-
and also includes discharge as a fifth-degree polynomial of
logic site conditions for each test method and references to the
time.
section where each test method is cited.
5.3.1.4 Slug Test Methods—Test methods for estimating
5.3.1 Extensive, Isotropic, Homogeneous, Confined, Non-
transmissivity by injecting a given quantity or slug of water
leaky Aquifer:
into a well were introduced by Hvorslev (14) and Ferris and
5.3.1.1 Constant Discharge—Test method in which the Knowles (15). Solutions to overdamped well response to slug
discharge or injection rate in the control well is constant are
tests have also been presented by Cooper et al (16). The
given by the nonequilibrium method of Theis (1) for the
solution presented by Cooper et al (16) is given inTest Method
drawdown and recovery phases. The Theis test method is the
D4104. Solutions for slug tests in wells that exhibit oscillatory
most widely referenced and applied aquifer test method and is
water-level fluctuations caused by a sudden injection or re-
the basis for the solution to other more complicated boundary
moval of a volume of water have been presented by Krauss
condition problems. The Theis test method for the pumping or
(17), van der Kamp (18), and Shinohara and Ramey (19). The
injection phase is given in Test Method D4106. Cooper and
van der Kamp (18) solution is given in Test Method D5785.
Jacob (2) and Jacob (3) recognized that for large values of time
Kipp (20) analyzed the complete range of response of wells
and small values of distance from the control well, the Theis
ranging from those having negligible inertial effects through
solution yields a straight line on semilogarithmic plots of
full oscillatory behavior and developed type curves for the
various combinations of drawdown and distance from the
analysisofslugtestdata.TheproceduregivenbyKipp (20)for
control well. The solution of the Theis equation can therefore
analysis of critically damped response is given in Test Method
besimplifiedbytheuseofsemilogarithmicplots.Themodified
D5881. The field procedure for slug test methods is given in
Theis nonequilibrium test method is given in Test Method
Test Method D4044.Analytical procedures for analysis of slug
D4105. A test method for estimating transmissivity from
test data are given inTest Methods D5785, D4104, D5881, and
specific capacity by the Theis method is given in Test Method
D5912.
D5472.
5.3.2 Extensive,
...