ASTM D5887/D5887M-23

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Designation: D5887/D5887M − 22a D5887/D5887M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Index Flux Through Saturated Geosynthetic
Clay Liner Specimens Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5887/D5887M; 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 This test method covers an index test that covers laboratory measurement of flux through saturated geosynthetic clay liner
(GCL) specimens using a flexible wall permeameter.
1.2 This test method is applicable to GCL products having geotextile backing(s). It is not applicable to GCL products with
geomembrane backing(s), geofilm backing(s), or polymer coating backing(s).
1.3 This test method provides a measurement of flux under a prescribed set of conditions that can be used for manufacturing
quality control. The test method can also be used to check conformance. The flux value determined using this test method is not
considered to be representative of the in-service flux of GCLs.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D374/D374M Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.04 on Geosynthetic Clay
Liners.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022Nov. 1, 2023. Published October 2022November 2023. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as
D5887/D5887M – 22.D5887/D5887M – 22a. DOI: 10.1520/D5887_D5887M-22A.10.1520/D5887_D5887M-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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D5887/D5887M − 23
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 flux, n—the rate of discharge of water under laminar flow conditions through a unit cross-sectional area of a GCL specimen.
3.1.2 geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), n—a factory-manufactured geosynthetic hydraulic barrier consisting of clay supported by
geotextiles or geomembranes, or both, that are held together by needling, stitching, or chemical adhesives.
3.1.3 index test, n—a test procedure that may contain a bias, but that may be used to establish an order for a set of specimens with
respect to the property of interest.
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method, see Terminologies D653 and D4439.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method involves permeation of a 100-mm [4-in.]100 mm [4 in.] diameter GCL test specimen. The specimen is set
up in a flexible wall permeameter and subjected to a total stress of 550 kPa [80 psi] and a back pressure of 515 kPa [75 psi] for
a period of 48 h. Flow is initiated using deionized water by raising the pressure on the influent side of the test specimen to 530
kPa [77 psi]. The flux is determined when inflow and outflow are approximately equal (within 625 %).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method yields the flux of water through a saturated GCL specimen that is consolidated, hydrated, and permeated
under a prescribed set of conditions.
5.2 This test method can be performed to determine if the flux of a GCL specimen exceeds the maximum value stated by the
manufacturer.
5.3 This test method can be used to determine the variation in flux within a sample of GCL by testing a number of different
specimens.
5.4 This test method does not provide a flux value to be used directly in design calculations.
NOTE 1—Flux for in-service conditions depends on a number of factors, including confining pressure, type of hydration fluid, degree of hydration, degree
of saturation, type of permeating fluid, and hydraulic gradient. Correlation between flux values obtained with this test method and flux through GCLs
subjected to in-service conditions has not been fully investigated.
5.5 This test method does not provide a value of hydraulic conductivity. Although hydraulic conductivity can be determined in
a manner similar to the method described in this test method, the thickness of the specimen is needed to calculate hydraulic
conductivity. This test method does not include procedures for measuring the thickness of the GCL nor of the clay component
within the GCL. Refer to Appendix X2 for calculation of hydraulic conductivity.
5.6 The apparatus used in this test method is commonly used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of soil specimens. However,
flux values measured in this test are typically much lower than those commonly measured for most natural soils. It is essential that
the leakage rate of the apparatus used in this test be less than 10 % of the flux.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Hydraulic System, constant head (Test Method A), falling head (Test Methods B and C), or constant rate of flow (Test Method
D) systems may be utilized provided they meet the criteria outlined as follows:
6.1.1 Constant Head—The system shall be capable of maintaining constant hydraulic pressures to within 65 % and shall include
means to measure the hydraulic pressures to within the prescribed tolerance. In addition, the head loss across the test specimen
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must be held constant to within 65 % and shall be measured with the same accuracy or better. Pressures shall be measured by a
pressure gauge, electronic pressure transducer, or any other device of suitable accuracy.
6.1.2 Falling Head—The system shall allow for measurement of the applied head loss to within 65 % at any time. In addition,
the ratio of initial head loss divided by final head loss over an interval of time shall be measured such that this computed ratio is
accurate to within 65 %. The head loss shall be measured with a pressure gauge, electronic pressure transducer, engineer’s scale,
graduated pipette, or any other device of suitable accuracy. Falling head tests may be performed with either a constant tailwater
elevation (Test Method B) or a rising tailwater elevation (Test Method C).
6.1.3 Constant Rate of Flow—The system shall be capable of maintaining a constant rate of flow through the specimen to within
65 %. Flow measurement shall be by calibrated syringe, graduated pipette, or other device of suitable accuracy. The head loss
across the specimens shall be measured to an accuracy of 65 % using an electronic pressure transducer or other device of suitable
accuracy. More information on testing with a constant rate of flow is given in the literature.
6.1.4 System De-Airing—The hydraulic system shall be designed to facilitate rapid and complete removal of free air bubbles from
flow lines.
6.1.5 Back Pressure System—The hydraulic system shall have the capability to apply back pressure to the specimen to facilitate
saturation. The system shall be capable of maintaining the applied back pressure throughout the duration of hydraulic conductivity
measurements. The back pressure system shall be capable of applying, controlling, and measuring the back pressure within 65 %
of the applied pressure. The back pressure may be provided by a compressed gas supply, a deadweight acting on a piston, or any
other method capable of applying and controlling the back pressure to the tolerance prescribed in this paragraph.
NOTE 2—Application of gas pressure directly to a fluid will dissolve gas in the fluid. A variety of techniques are available to minimize dissolution of gas
in the back pressure fluid, including separation of gas and liquid phases with a bladder and frequent replacement of the liquid with de-aired water.
6.2 Flow Measurement System—Both inflow and outflow volumes shall be measured unless the lack of leakage, continuity of flow,
and cessation of consolidation or swelling can be verified by other means. Flow volumes shall be measured by a graduated
accumulator, graduated pipette, vertical standpipe in conjunction with an electronic pressure transducer, or other volume-
measuring volume measuring device of suitable accuracy.
6.2.1 Flow Accuracy—Required accuracy for the quantity of flow measured over an interval of time is 65 %.
6.2.2 De-Airing and Compliance of the System—The flow-measurement flow measurement system shall contain a minimum of
dead space and be capable of complete and rapid de-airing. Compliance of the system in response to changes in pressure shall be
minimized by using a stiff flow measurement system. Rigid tubing, such as metallic or rigid thermoplastic tubing, shall be used.
6.2.3 Head Losses—Head losses in the tubes, valves, porous end pieces, and filter paper may lead to error. To guard against such
errors, the permeameter shall be assembled with no specimen inside and then the hydraulic system filled. If a constant or falling
head test is to be used, the hydraulic pressures or heads that will be used in testing a specimen shall be applied, and the rate of
flow measured with an accuracy of 65 %. This rate of flow shall be at least ten times greater than the rate of flow that is measured
when a specimen is placed inside the permeameter and the same hydraulic pressures or heads are applied. If a constant rate of flow
test is to be used, the rate of flow to be used in testing a specimen shall be supplied to the permeameter and the head loss measured.
The head loss without a specimen shall be less than 0.1 times the head loss when a specimen is present.
6.3 Permeameter Cell Pressure System—The system for pressurizing the permeameter cell shall be capable of applying and
controlling the cell pressure to within 65 % of the applied pressure. However, the effective stress on the test specimen shall be
maintained to the desired value with an accuracy of 65 %. The device for pressurizing the cell may consist of a reservoir connected
to the permeameter cell and partially filled with de-aired water, with the upper part of the reservoir connected to a compressed gas
supply or other source of pressure (see Note 3). The gas pressure shall be controlled by a pressure regulator and measured by a
pressure gauge, electronic pressure transducer, or any other device capable of measuring to the prescribed tolerance. A hydraulic
system pressurized by deadweight acting on a piston or any other pressure device capable of applying and controlling the
permeameter cell pressure to the tolerance prescribed in this paragraph may be used.
NOTE 3—De-aired water is commonly used for the cell fluid to minimize potential for diffusion of air through the membrane into the specimen. Other
Olson, H. W., Morin, R. H., and Nichols, R. W., “Flow Pump Applications in Triaxial Testing,” Symposium on Advanced Triaxial Testing of Soil and Rock, ASTM STP
977, ASTM International, 1988, pp. 68–81.
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fluids, such as oils, which have low gas solubilities, are also acceptable provided they do not react with components of the permeameter and the flexible
membrane. Also, use of a long (approximately 5 to 7 m) tube connecting the pressurized cell liquid to cell helps to delay the appearance of air in the
cell fluid and to reduce the flux of dissolved air into the cell.
6.4 Permeameter Cell—An apparatus shall be provided in which the specimen and porous end pieces, enclosed by a flexible
membrane sealed to the cap and base, are subjected to controlled fluid pressures. A schematic diagram of a typical cell is shown
in Fig. 1.
6.4.1 The permeameter cell may allow for observation of changes in height of the specimen, either by observation through the cell
wall using a cathetometer or other instrument, or by monitoring of either a loading piston or an extensometer extending through
the top plate of the cell bearing on the top cap and attached to a dial indicator or other measuring device. The piston or
extensometer should pass through a bushing and seal incorporated into the top plate and shall be loaded with sufficient force to
compensate for the cell pressure acting over the cross-sectional area of the piston where it passes through the seal. If deformations
are measured, the deformation indicator shall be a dial indicator or cathetometer graduated to 0.3 mm [0.01 in.] or better and having
an adequate travel range. Any other measuring device meeting these requirements is acceptable.
6.4.2 To facilitate gas removal, and thus saturation of the hydraulic system, four drainage lines leading to the specimen, two each
to the base and top cap, are recommended. The drainage lines shall be controlled by no-volume-change valves, such as ball valves,
and shall be designed to minimize dead space in the lines.
6.5 Top Cap and Base—An impermeable, rigid top cap and base shall be used to support the specimen and provide for
transmission of permanent liquid to and from the specimen. The diameter or width of the top cap and base shall be equal to the
diameter or width of the specimen 65 %. The base shall prevent leakage, lateral motion, or tilting, and the top cap shall be
designed to receive the piston or extensometer, if used, such that the piston-to-top-cap contact area is concentric with the cap. The
surface of the base and top cap that contacts the membrane to form a seal shall be smooth and free of scratches.
6.6 Flexible Membranes—The flexible membrane used to encase the specimen shall provide reliable protection against leakage.
The membrane shall be carefully inspected prior to use and if any flaws or pinholes are evident, the membrane shall be discarded.
To minimize restraint of the specimen, the diameter or width of the unstretched membrane shall be between 90 and 95 % of that
of the specimen. The membrane shall be sealed to the specimen base and cap with rubber O-rings for which the unstressed, inside
diameter or width is less than 90 % of the diameter or width of the base and cap, or by any other method that will produce an
adequate seal.
FIG. 1 Permeameter Cell and Test Setup
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NOTE 4—Membranes may be tested for flaws by placing them around a form sealed at both ends with rubber O-rings, subjecting them to a small air
pressure on the inside, and then dipping them into water. If air bubbles come up from any point on the membrane, or if any visible flaws are observed,
the membrane shall be discarded.
6.7 Porous End Pieces—The porous end pieces shall be of silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or other material that is not attacked
by the specimen or permanent liquid. The end pieces shall have plane and smooth surfaces and be free of cracks, chips, and
nonuniformities. They shall be checked regularly to ensure that they are not clogged.
6.7.1 The porous end pieces shall have a diameter no greater than 100 mm [3.95 in.] and no less than 98 mm [3.85 in.], and the
thickness shall be sufficient to prevent breaking.
6.7.2 The hydraulic conductivity of the porous end pieces shall be substantially greater than that of the specimen to be tested such
that there is no significant impedance of flow. Including the porous end pieces in the procedures set forth in 6.2.3 will ensure that
no significant impedance occurs.
6.8 Filter Paper—To prevent intrusion of material into the pores of the porous end pieces, one or more sheets of filter paper shall
be placed between the top and bottom porous end pieces and the specimen (see Note 5). The hydraulic conductivity of the filter
paper shall be substantially greater than that of the specimen to be tested such that there is no significant impedance of flow.
Including the filter paper in the procedures set forth in 6.2.3 will ensure that no significant impedance occurs.
NOTE 5—The type of filter paper recommended is Whatman No. 1 (or equivalent), that has particle retention capability greater than 11 μm.
6.9 Devices for Measuring the Dimensions of the Specimen—Devices used to measure the dimensions of the specimen shall be
capable of measuring to the nearest 0.3 mm [0.01 in.] or better and shall be constructed such that their use will not disturb the
specimen.
6.10 Balances—The balance shall be suitable for determining the mass of the specimen and shall be selected as discussed in Guide
D4753. The mass of specimens shall be determined to the nearest 0.01 g.
6.11 Equipment for Mounting the Specimen—Equipment for mounting the specimen in the permeameter cell shall include a
membrane stretcher or cylinder and ring for expanding and placing O-rings on the base and top cap to seal the membrane.
6.12 Vacuum Pump—To assist with de-airing of permeameter system and saturation of specimens.
6.13 Temperature Maintaining Device—The temperature of the permeameter, test specimen, and permeant reservoir shall be
maintained at 21 6 2 °C. Normally, this is accomplished by performing the test in a room with a relatively constant temperature.
If such a room is not available, the apparatus shall be placed in a water bath, insulated chamber, or other device that maintains
a temperature within the specified tolerance. The temperature shall be periodically measured and recorded at a minimum at the
beginning of the permeation phase and at the end of the permeation phase of the test.
6.14 Water Content Containers—The containers shall be in accordance with Test Methods D2216.
6.15 Drying Oven—The oven shall be in accordance with Specification E145.
7. Reagents
7.1 Permeant Water:
7.1.1 The permeant water is the liquid used to permeate the test specimen and is also the liquid used in back pressuring the
specimen. The flux through a GCL specimen can be substantially influenced by the permeating fluid. Deionized water shall be used
in this test method.
7.1.2 The permeant water shall be de-aired as well as deionized. The water is usually de-aired by boiling, by spraying a fine mist
D5887/D5887M − 23
of water into an evacuated vessel attached to vacuum source, or by forceful agitation of water in a container attached to a vacuum
source. De-aired water shall not be exposed to air for prolonged periods.
8. Test Specimen Preparation
8.1 Inspect the bulk GCL sample
...