ASTM D6917-16(2022)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)
Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 To properly evaluate prefabricated vertical drains, tests must be performed according to specific test methods and procedures. Failure to follow this practice can result in data not representative of the product's characteristics and performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate test methods for prefabricated vertical geocomposite drains (sometimes referred to as wick drains) used in geotechnical engineering applications to provide consistency in data reporting.
1.2 This guide includes test methods for all types of prefabricated geocomposite drains manufactured in a plant and consisting of a polymeric core structure with a synthetic fabric (geotextile) jacket for filtration.
1.3 This guide is intended to aid all personnel involved in the selection, manufacture, installation, or evaluation of prefabricated vertical drains.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Apr-2022
- Technical Committee
- D35 - Geosynthetics
- Drafting Committee
- D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2020
- Refers
ASTM D5199-12(2019) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics - Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2017
- Effective Date
- 15-Feb-2017
- Refers
ASTM D4491/D4491M-17 - Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity - Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2016
- Refers
ASTM D4491/D4491M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity - Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2016
Overview
ASTM D6917-16(2022): Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD) provides comprehensive recommendations for evaluating prefabricated vertical geocomposite drains, often referred to as wick drains. Developed by ASTM International, this guide supports engineers, manufacturers, and all stakeholders in geotechnical engineering by helping standardize the methods used to characterize and assess PVDs. By following this standard, users can assure consistency in data reporting and informed product selection, installation, and evaluation of prefabricated vertical drains.
Prefabricated vertical drains play a critical role in soil consolidation projects by accelerating the drainage of excess pore water, thus improving ground stability for various construction activities. This guide ensures the test methods selected are appropriate for the diverse types of geocomposite drains currently available.
Key Topics
- Test Method Selection: Offers a structured approach for choosing suitable test methods based on the characteristics of the PVD and associated geotextile filter.
- Product Categories: Applies to all prefabricated geocomposite drains comprised of a polymeric core with a synthetic geotextile jacket.
- Consistency in Reporting: Encourages standardization in test data, making performance comparisons more reliable and transparent.
- Personnel Guidance: Aids all involved parties-including designers, manufacturers, installers, and evaluators-in proper test selection and application.
- Safety and Compliance: Reminds users to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental procedures in accordance with applicable regulations.
Applications
Prefabricated vertical drains are widely used in geotechnical engineering applications to improve soil stability and accelerate consolidation in soft soils, such as those found in embankment construction, land reclamation, and ground improvement projects. By referencing ASTM D6917-16(2022), engineers and project managers can:
- Select validated test methods tailored to specific PVD products, ensuring performance data accurately reflects onsite behavior.
- Specify requirements for manufacturers and contractors, increasing project reliability and reducing risks of failure due to improper product evaluation.
- Support regulatory compliance when procuring or certifying materials for public and private infrastructure projects.
- Facilitate quality assurance and quality control processes during production and installation, supporting long-term ground improvement.
Related Standards
ASTM D6917-16(2022) references a suite of important ASTM test methods and practices relevant to the performance and characterization of geosynthetics and geocomposites, including:
- D4491: Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
- D4632: Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of Geotextiles
- D4716: In-plane Flow Rate and Hydraulic Transmissivity of Geosynthetics
- D4751: Apparent Opening Size of a Geotextile
- D4884: Strength of Sewn or Bonded Seams of Geotextiles
- D5101: Filtration Compatibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems
- D5199: Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
- D5322 / D6389: Chemical Resistance of Geosynthetics to Liquids
- D5493: Permittivity of Geotextiles Under Load
- D5567: Hydraulic Conductivity Ratio (HCR) of Soil/Geotextile Systems
- D5819: Durability Testing of Geosynthetics
- D6241: Static Puncture Strength of Geotextiles
- D6364: Short-Term Compression Behavior of Geosynthetics
- D6918: Vertical Strip Drain Testing in the Crimped Condition
- D7498: Large Scale Consolidation Testing for Vertical Strip Drains
These referenced standards facilitate the accurate measurement of critical properties such as transmissivity, filter performance, seam strength, and durability, supporting the core objective of reliable performance assessment for PVDs in geotechnical projects.
Summary
By adopting ASTM D6917-16(2022), organizations benefit from a unified framework for the selection of test methods for prefabricated vertical drains. This provides greater confidence in product evaluation, supports project success in ground improvement, and aligns with internationally recognized principles of standardization. For stakeholders in construction, civil engineering, and infrastructure development, this standard acts as an essential reference to optimize soil improvement practices and ensure long-term stability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D6917-16(2022) is a guide published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 To properly evaluate prefabricated vertical drains, tests must be performed according to specific test methods and procedures. Failure to follow this practice can result in data not representative of the product's characteristics and performance. SCOPE 1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate test methods for prefabricated vertical geocomposite drains (sometimes referred to as wick drains) used in geotechnical engineering applications to provide consistency in data reporting. 1.2 This guide includes test methods for all types of prefabricated geocomposite drains manufactured in a plant and consisting of a polymeric core structure with a synthetic fabric (geotextile) jacket for filtration. 1.3 This guide is intended to aid all personnel involved in the selection, manufacture, installation, or evaluation of prefabricated vertical drains. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 To properly evaluate prefabricated vertical drains, tests must be performed according to specific test methods and procedures. Failure to follow this practice can result in data not representative of the product's characteristics and performance. SCOPE 1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate test methods for prefabricated vertical geocomposite drains (sometimes referred to as wick drains) used in geotechnical engineering applications to provide consistency in data reporting. 1.2 This guide includes test methods for all types of prefabricated geocomposite drains manufactured in a plant and consisting of a polymeric core structure with a synthetic fabric (geotextile) jacket for filtration. 1.3 This guide is intended to aid all personnel involved in the selection, manufacture, installation, or evaluation of prefabricated vertical drains. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 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.
ASTM D6917-16(2022) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.060.20 - Roofs. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D6917-16(2022) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D5101-23, ASTM D5322-23, ASTM D6389-23, ASTM D4751-20, ASTM D5199-12(2019), ASTM D5567-94(2018), ASTM D6364-06(2018), ASTM D6389-17, ASTM D5322-17, ASTM D5101-12(2017), ASTM D4491/D4491M-17, ASTM D4751-16, ASTM D4491/D4491M-16, ASTM D5819-05(2016), ASTM D6389-99(2016). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D6917-16(2022) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: D6917 − 16 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Vertical Drains
(PVD)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6917; 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 D4632/D4632M Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and
Elongation of Geotextiles
1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the selection
D4716/D4716M Test Method for Determining the (In-plane)
of appropriate test methods for prefabricated vertical geocom-
Flow Rate per Unit Width and Hydraulic Transmissivity
posite drains (sometimes referred to as wick drains) used in
of a Geosynthetic Using a Constant Head
geotechnicalengineeringapplicationstoprovideconsistencyin
D4751 Test Methods for Determining Apparent Opening
data reporting.
Size of a Geotextile
1.2 This guide includes test methods for all types of
D4884/D4884M Test Method for Strength of Sewn or
prefabricated geocomposite drains manufactured in a plant and
Bonded Seams of Geotextiles
consisting of a polymeric core structure with a synthetic fabric
D5101 Test Method for Measuring the Filtration Compat-
(geotextile) jacket for filtration.
ibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness
1.3 This guide is intended to aid all personnel involved in
the selection, manufacture, installation, or evaluation of pre- of Geosynthetics
D5322 Practice for Laboratory Immersion Procedures for
fabricated vertical drains.
Evaluating the Chemical Resistance of Geosynthetics to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Liquids
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5493 Test Method for Permittivity of Geotextiles Under
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Load
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D5567 Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity Ratio
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(HCR) Testing of Soil/Geotextile Systems
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
D5819 Guide for Selecting Test Methods for Experimental
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Evaluation of Geosynthetic Durability
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D6241 Test Method for Static Puncture Strength of Geotex-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tiles and Geotextile-Related Products Using a 50-mm
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Probe
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D6364 Test Method for Determining Short-Term Compres-
sion Behavior of Geosynthetics
2. Referenced Documents
D6389 Practice for Tests to Evaluate the Chemical Resis-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tance of Geotextiles to Liquids
D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of
D6918 Test Method for Testing Vertical Strip Drains in the
Geotextiles by Permittivity
Crimped Condition
D4533/D4533M Test Method for Trapezoid Tearing
D7498/D7498M TestMethodforVerticalStripDrainsUsing
Strength of Geotextiles
a Large Scale Consolidation Test
3. Terminology
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
3.1 Definitions:
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
Filtration.
3.1.1 geocomposite, n—a product composed of two or more
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
materials, at least one of which is a geosynthetic.
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D6917 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/D6917-16R22.
3.1.2 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
contact ASTM Customer Ser
...
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