ASTM D4716-08(2013)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D4716 − 08(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the (In-plane) Flow Rate per Unit Width and
Hydraulic Transmissivity of a Geosynthetic Using a
Constant Head
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4716; 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 lic Transmissivity of a Geosynthetic by Radial Flow
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
3. Terminology
the flow rate per unit width within the manufactured plane of
3.1 Definitions:
geosyntheticsundervaryingnormalcompressivestressesanda
3.1.1 geocomposite, n—a product fabricated from any com-
constant head. The test is intended primarily as an index test
bination of geosynthetics with geotechnical materials or other
but can be used also as a performance test when the hydraulic
synthetics which is used in a geotechnical application.
gradients and specimen contact surfaces are selected by the
(D4439)
user to model anticipated field conditions.
3.1.2 geonet, n—a geosynthetic consisting of integrally
1.2 This test method is limited to geosynthetics that allow
connected parallel sets of ribs overlying similar sets at various
continuousin-planeflowpathstooccurparalleltotheintended
angles for planar drainage of liquids or gases. (D4439)
direction of flow.
3.1.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
standard. The values stated in parentheses are provided for
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a
information only.
man-made project, structure, or system. (D4439)
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 geotechnics, n—the application of scientific methods
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and engineering principals to the acquisition, interpretation,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and use of knowledge of material of the earth’s crust to the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
solution of engineering problems.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Geotechnics embraces the fields of soil
mechanics, rock mechanics, and many of the engineering
2. Referenced Documents
aspects of geology, geophysics, hydrology, and related
sciences. (D4439)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4354Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
3.1.5 geotextile, n—a permeable geosynthetic comprised
Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing
solely of textiles. (D4439)
D4439Terminology for Geosynthetics
3.1.6 gravity flow, n—flow in a direction parallel to the
D4491Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles
planeofageosyntheticdrivenpredominantlybyadifferencein
by Permittivity
elevation between the inlet and outflow points of a specimen.
D5092Practice for Design and Installation of GroundWater
3.1.6.1 Discussion—The pressure at the outflow is consid-
Monitoring Wells
ered to be atmospheric. (D4439)
D6574Test Method for Determining the (In-Plane) Hydrau-
3.1.7 head (static), n—theheightaboveastandarddatumof
the surface of a column of water (or other liquid) that can be
supported by a static pressure at a given point. The static head
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
isthesumoftheelevationheadandthepressurehead. (D5092)
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Perme-
ability and Filtration.
3.1.8 hydraulicgradient,i,n—thelossofhydraulicheadper
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013. Published January 2013. Originally
unit distance of flow, dh/dL. (D4439)
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4716–08. DOI:
2 −1
10.1520/D4716-08R13.
3.1.9 hydraulic transmissivity, θ (L T ),n—for a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
geosynthetic, the volumetric flow rate per unit width of
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
specimenperunitgradientinadirectionparalleltotheplaneof
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the specimen.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4716 − 08 (2013)
3.1.9.1 Discussion—“transmissivity” is technically appli- 5.2.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
cable only to saturated, laminar hydraulic flow conditions (see reportedtestresultswhenusingthistestmethodforacceptance
Appendix X1). (D4439) testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
plier should first confirm that the tests were conducted using
3.1.10 in-plane flow, n—fluid flow confined to a direction
comparable test parameters including specimen conditioning,
parallel to the plane of a geosynthetic. (D4439)
normal stress, seating period, hydraulic gradient, test water
3.1.11 index test, n—a test procedure that may contain
temperature, etc., then conduct comparative tests to determine
known bias but which may be used to establish an order for a
if there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Compe-
set of specimens with respect to the property of interest.
tent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation
(D4439)
of bias.As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of
3.1.12 laminar flow, n—flow in which the head loss is
test specimens that are as homogenous as possible and that are
proportional to the first power of the velocity. (D4439)
formed from a lot of the material of the type in question. The
−2
test specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal
3.1.13 normal stress (FL ), n—the component of applied
stress that is perpendicular to the surface on which the force numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results
acts. (D4439) from the two laboratories should be compared using the
Student’s t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability
3.1.14 performance test, n—a test that simulates in the
level chosen by the two parties before the testing is begun. If
laboratory as closely as practical selected conditions experi-
bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or
enced in the field and which can be used in design. (D4439)
the purchaser and supplier must agree to interpret future test
3.1.15 pressure flow, n—flow in a direction parallel to the
results in light of the known bias.
plane of a geosynthetic driven predominantly by a differential
fluid pressure. (D4439)
6. Apparatus
3.1.16 turbulent flow, n—that type of flow in which any
6.1 Aschematic drawing of an assembly is shown in Fig. 1.
water particle may move in any direction with respect to any
The individual components and accessories are as follows:
other particle, and in which the head loss is approximately
6.1.1 Base—A sturdy metal base with smooth flat bottom
proportional to the second power of the velocity. (D4439)
and sides capable of holding a test specimen of sufficient area
3.1.17 For definitions of terms relating to geosynthetics,
and thickness.All seams between the bottom surface and sides
refer to Terminology D4439.
of the base must be water tight and not inhibit in-plane flow of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
water through the specimen. For geotextile testing, all surfaces
3.2.1 steady flow, n—flow conditions that do not vary with
of the base in contact with the specimen shall be covered by a
time.
thin layer of rubber material of low compressibility in order to
ensure a tight seal.
3.2.2 uniform flow, n—conditions where the flow area and
6.1.2 Reservoir—A plastic, glass or metal water reservoir
the mean velocity in the direction of flow are constant.
extendingthefullwidthofthebase.Theheightofthereservoir
4. Summary of Test Method
shall be at least equal to the total length of the specimen. The
reservoir shall have provision for maintaining a constant water
4.1 Theflowrateperunitwidthisdeterminedbymeasuring
level at any of several elevations.
the quantity of water that passes through a test specimen in a
6.1.3 Loading Mechanism—Capable of sustaining a con-
specific time interval under a specific normal stress and a
stant normal compressive stress on the specimen ranging from
specific hydraulic gradient. The hydraulic gradient(s) and
10 kPa (1.45 psi) to at least 500 kPa (70 psi) on a 305- by
specimen contact surfaces are selected by the user either as an
305-mm(12-by12-in.)loadedareawithanaccuracyof 61%.
index test or as a performance test to model a given set of field
Theuseofstaticweights,pneumaticbellowssystems,orpiston
parameters as closely as possible. Measurements may be
applied stresses meeting the above conditions may be consid-
repeated under increasing normal stresses selected by the user.
ered sufficient for use in this test.
4.1.1 Hydraulic transmissivity should be determined only
fortestsorforspecificregionsofteststhatexhibitalinearflow
rateperunitwidthversusgradientrelationship,thatis,laminar
flow (see Appendix X1).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended either as an index test or as
aperformancetestusedtodetermineandcomparetheflowrate
per unit width of one or several candidate geosynthetics under
specific conditions.
5.2 This test method may be used as an index test for
acceptance testing of commercial shipments of geosynthetics
butcautionisadvisedsinceinformationonbetween-laboratory
precision of this test method is incomplete. Comparative tests
as directed in 5.2.1 may be advisable. FIG. 1 A Constant Head (In-Plane) Flow Rate Testing Device
D4716 − 08 (2013)
6.1.4 Outflow Weir—A plastic, glass or metal reservoir 7.4 Test Specimens—Geonets—For acceptance testing, re-
extending the full width of the base at the outlet side of the move two specimens from each unit in the laboratory sample
specimen having, at the opposite side, a rectangular weir at an with the longer dimension parallel to the geonet direction (for
elevation higher than the elevation of the upper surface of the example,machineorcross-machinedirection)tobetested.The
specimen. two test specimens are normally taken one third in from each
6.1.4.1 Discussion—The weir is used to sustain the steady, edge of the roll width sample swatch, but may be taken at two
constant head condition on the outflow side of the specimen. other locations at the discretion of the user and noted in the
For small discharge conditions, a narrow rectangular or report. For performance testing, the number of test specimens
triangular, V-notch weir may be warranted. is selected by the user. If one test specimen is requested for
6.1.5 Outflow Collection—A catch trough extending the performancetesting,itisnormallytakenfromthecenterofthe
entirewidthofthebaseisusedforcollectionandmeasurement sample swatch, but may be taken at two other locations at the
of the outflow from the specimen. discretion of the user and noted in the report.
6.1.6 Rubber Substrate/Superstrate—(optional) Rubber
7.4.1 Make the geonet specimen width 305 mm (12.0 in.).
sheets cut to fit the base may be used to model soil adjacent to
Make the specimen length at least 350 mm (14 in.), or the
the geosynthetic on one or both sides of the specimen if
length to allow the specimen to extend into the reservoir and
desired. The compressibility and thickness of the rubber layer
weir a distance of 25 mm (1 in.), whichever is greater.
should be selected such that it adequately represents the soil
7.5 Test Specimens—Geocomposites— For acceptance
being modeled. The material selected should not allow con-
testing,removetwospecimensfromeachunitinthelaboratory
tinuous flow channels to exist through or around the rubber
sample with the longer dimension parallel to the geocomposite
layer. These layers shall extend the entire length and width of
direction (for example, machine or cross-machine direction) to
the base. The thickness of the rubber layers shall be at least
be tested.The two test specimens are normally taken one third
twice the thickness of the geosynthetic specimen to be tested.
in from each edge of the roll width sample swatch, but may be
6.1.6.1 Compare the uncompressed thickness measured
taken at two other locations at the discretion of the user and
prior to use with the thickness measured at least one hour after
notedinthereport.Forperformancetesting,thenumberoftest
use. If the thickness decreases by 20% or more, or if
specimens is selected by the user. If one test specimen is
permanent indentations or damage are evident in the sheet,
requestedforperformancetesting,itisnormallytakenfromthe
discard the sheet and retest using a new sheet.
center of the sample swatch, but may be taken at two other
6.1.7 Thickness Monitoring Device—(optional) In the form
locations at the discretion of the user and noted in the report.
of a dial gauge and the like may be used to monitor the change
7.5.1 Forgeocompositesmanufacturedwiththefullproduct
in the thickness of the geosynthetic specimen in the testing
widthlessthan305mm(12.0in.),thespecimenwidthisequal
device under various applied normal stresses.
to the manufactured product width. The specimen length is at
6.1.8 Manometers—Open manometers are located at the
least 350 mm (14 in.), or the length to allow the specimen to
inlet and outlet ends of the specimen in the reservoir box and
extend into the reservoir and weir a distance of 25 mm (1 in.),
outflow weir respectively (see Fig. 1).The manometer taps are
whichever is greater.
placedatthesamelevelasthebaseofthespecimenascloseto
the specimen ends as practical. Extend the manometers with
NOTE 2—The actual length of the geocomposite specimen may have an
clear tubing to a height at least as high as the maximum water
influenceonthemeasuredheadlossesandassociatedgradients;therefore,
the specimen length of 350 mm (14 in.) will be considered standard. In
level in the reservoir box.
any case, always report the actual specimen length used.
NOTE 1—The use of a pressure transducer(s) is recommended for
7.5.2 For geocomposites manufactured with a full product
measuring the pressure head when testing at hydraulic gradients less than
0.10. Use a transducer(s) with an accuracy of 61mm(6 0.04 in). width 305 mm (12.0 in.) or greater, the specimen width is 300
mm (12 in.) unless the product cannot be cut to width without
6.2 In addition, the apparatus must not be the controlling
altering the product structure.
agent for flow during the test. It will be necessary to establish
7.5.3 Forgeocompositesconsistingoftwoormoredifferent
c
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