ASTM D5856-95(2002)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 5856 – 95 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material
Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5856; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.1 This test method covers laboratory measurement of the
Construction Materials
hydraulic conductivity (also referred to as coeffıcient of per-
D 5084 Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Con-
meability) of laboratory-compacted materials with a rigid-wall,
ductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible
compaction-mold permeameter.
Wall Permeameter
1.2 This test method may be used with laboratory-
E 145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
compacted specimens that have a hydraulic conductivity less
−5
Ventilation Ovens
than or equal to 1 3 10 m/s. The hydraulic conductivity of
compacted materials that have hydraulic conductivities greater
3. Terminology
−5
than 1 3 10 m/s may be determined by Test Method D 2434.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.1 flux—quantity of flow per unit area per unit time.
standard, unless other units are specifically given. By tradition
3.1.2 hydraulic conductivity, k—the rate of discharge of
in U.S. practice, hydraulic conductivity is reported in centime-
water under laminar flow conditions through a unit cross-
tres per second, although the common SI units for hydraulic
sectional area of a porous medium under a unit hydraulic
conductivity are metres per second.
gradient and standard temperature conditions (20°C).
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The term coeffıcient of permeability is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
often used instead of hydraulic conductivity, but hydraulic
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
conductivity is used exclusively in this test method. A more
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
complete discussion of the terminology associated with Dar-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cy’s law is given in the literature .
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.3 pore volume of flow—the cumulative quantity of
outflow from a test specimen divided by the volume of pore
2.1 ASTM Standards:
space in the specimen.
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method
Fluids
see Terminology D 653.
D 698 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
4. Significance and Use
3 2
KN-m/m ))
4.1 This test method applies to one-dimensional, laminar
D 854 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils Solids by
2 flow of water within laboratory-compacted, porous materials
Water Pycnometer
such as soil.
D 1557 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3 4.2 The hydraulic conductivity of porous materials gener-
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56 000 ft-lbf/ft (2700
3 2
ally decreases with an increasing amount of air in the pores of
KN-m/m ))
the material. This test method applies to porous materials
D 2216 Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
2 containing little or no air. The test method is designed to
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
minimize the amount of air in the test specimen. However, this
D 2434 Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils
2 test method does not ensure complete saturation of the test
(Constant Head)
specimen with water. In cases where it is essential to saturate
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Properties of Soil and Rock. Olson, R. E., and Daniel, D. E., “Measurement of the Hydraulic Conductivity
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1995. Published January 1996. of Fine-Grained Soils,” Symposium on Permeability and Groundwater Contaminant
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Transport, ASTM STP 746, ASTM, 1981, pp. 18–64.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5856 – 95 (2002)
the test specimen fully with water, the compacted specimen initial head loss divided by final head loss over an interval of
may be tested using Test Method D 5084. time shall be measured such that this computed ratio is accurate
4.3 This test method applies to permeation of porous mate- to within 6 5 %. The head loss shall be measured with a
rials with water. Permeation with other liquids, such as pressure gage, electronic pressure transducer, engineer’s scale,
chemical wastes, can be accomplished using procedures simi- graduated pipette, or any other device of suitable accuracy.
lar to those described in this test method. However, this test Falling head tests may be performed with either a constant
method is only intended to be used when water is the permeant tailwater elevation (Test Method B), rising tailwater elevation
liquid. (Test Method C), or increasing tailwater elevation (Test
4.4 It is assumed that Darcy’s law is valid and that the Method D).
hydraulic conductivity is essentially unaffected by hydraulic
5.1.3 Constant Rate of Flow—The system must be capable
gradient. The validity of Darcy’s law may be evaluated by
of maintaining a constant rate of flow through the specimen to
measuring the hydraulic conductivity of the specimen at three
within 6 5 % or better. Flow measurement or control shall be
hydraulic gradients; if all measured values are similar (within
by calibrated syringe, graduated pipette, or other device of
25 %), then Darcy’s law may be taken as valid. However, when
suitable accuracy. The head loss across the specimen shall be
the hydraulic gradient acting on a test specimen is changed, the
measured to an accuracy of 6 5 % or better using an electronic
state of stress will also change, and, if the specimen or pore
pressure transducer or other device of suitable accuracy. A
fluid is compressible, the volume of the test specimen or pore
means to ensure that the head being measured is not affected by
fluid will change. Thus, some change in hydraulic conductivity
sidewall leakage should be included. More information on
may occur when the hydraulic gradient is altered, even in cases
testing with a constant rate of flow is given in the literature .
where Darcy’s law is valid.
5.2 Flow Measurement System—Both inflow and outflow
4.5 One potential problem with this method of testing is the
volumes shall be measured or controlled. Flow volumes shall
possibility that water will flow along the interface between the
be measured by a graduated accumulator, graduated pipette,
test specimen and the compaction/permeameter ring. The
graduated cylinder, vertical standpipe in conjunction with an
problem tends to be of minimal significance for materials that
electronic pressure transducer, marriotte bottle, or other
swell when exposed to water (for example, compacted, clayey
volume-measuring device of suitable accuracy. For long-term
soils) but can be a very serious problem for materials that
tests, evaporative losses may be significant and should be
might tend to shrink and pull away from the walls of the
accounted for using a suitable correction procedure.
permeameter. Test Method D 5084 is recommended for any
5.2.1 Flow Accuracy—Required accuracy for the quantity
material that tends to shrink when exposed to the permeant
of flow measured over an interval of time is 6 5 % or better.
liquid.
5.2.2 Head Losses—Head losses in the tubes, valves, po-
4.6 The correlation between results obtained with this test
rous end pieces, and filter paper may lead to error. To guard
method and the hydraulic conductivities of in-place, com-
against such errors, the permeameter shall be assembled with
pacted materials has not been fully investigated. Experience
no specimen inside (but with any porous end pieces or sheets
has sometimes shown that flow patterns in small, laboratory-
of filter paper that will be used) and then the hydraulic system
prepared test specimens do not necessarily follow the same
filled. If a constant or falling head test is to be used, the
patterns on large field scales and that hydraulic conductivities
hydraulic pressures or heads that will be used in testing a
measured on small test specimens are not necessarily the same
specimen shall be applied, and the rate of flow measured with
as larger-scale values. Therefore, the results should be applied
an accuracy of 6 5 % or better. This rate of flow shall be at
to field situations with caution and by qualified personnel.
least ten times greater than the rate of flow that is measured
when a specimen has been compacted inside the permeameter
5. Apparatus
and the same hydraulic pressures or heads are applied. If a
5.1 Hydraulic System—Constant head (Test Method A),
constant rate of flow test is to be used, the rate of flow to be
falling head (Test Methods B, C, and D), or constant rate of
used in testing a specimen shall be supplied to the permeameter
flow (Test Method E) systems may be used provided they meet
and the head loss measured. The head loss without a specimen
the criteria outlined as follows:
shall be less than 0.1 times the head loss when a specimen is
5.1.1 Constant Head—The system must be capable of
present.
maintaining a constant hydraulic pressure or head to within 6
5.3 Permeameter Cell—The permeameter cell shall consist
5 % and shall include means to measure hydraulic pressures or
of a rigid-wall compaction mold into which the material to be
heads to within the prescribed tolerance. In addition, the head
tested is compacted and in which the compacted material is
loss across the test specimen must be held constant to within 6
permeated; and two end plates to control flow into and out of
5 % and shall be measured with the same accuracy or better.
the test specimen. A swell ring may be provided as discussed in
Pressures shall be measured by a pressure gage, electronic
5.3.2. The permeameter shall be designed and operated so that
pressure transducer, or any other device of suitable accuracy.
permeant water flows downward through the test specimen,
Head of liquid in a standpipe may be measured with a
graduated pipette, ruler, scale, or other device of suitable
accuracy.
5.1.2 Falling Head—The system shall allow for measure-
Olsen, H. W., Gill, J. D., Willden, A. T., and Nelson, N. R.,“ Innovations in
ment of the applied head loss, thus hydraulic gradient, to
Hydraulic Conductivity Measurements,” Transportation Research Record No. 1309,
within6 5 % or better at any time. In addition, the ratio of Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC, 1991.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5856 – 95 (2002)
although upward flow may be used if the top of the specimen
is protected from upward movement by a rigid porous element.
5.3.1 Compaction Mold/Permeameter Ring—The compac-
tion mold/permeameter ring shall be constructed of a rigid
material that will not be damaged during compaction of the test
specimen and that will not undergo adverse chemical reactions
with the test material or permeant water. Materials such as
steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and glass have been used. The
mold shall be sufficiently rigid so that its expansion when the
permeameter is pressurized is negligibly small. The mold can
be any cylindrical shape so long as: the cross-sectional area
along the direction of flow does not vary by more than 6 2%;
height and diameter are each $ 25 mm; height does not vary
by more than 6 1 %, and the largest particle and clod size in
the compacted specimen is # ⁄6 the lesser of the height or
diameter.
5.3.2 Swell Ring—The top of the permeameter may be
designed to function in one of three ways: (1) to allow no
restraint against swelling (see Fig. 1), in which case a swell
FIG. 2 Compaction-Mold Permeameter in Which Test Specimen
ring separates the compaction mold/permeameter ring from the
Cannot Swell
top plate; (2) to allow no swelling of the test specimen (see Fig.
2), in which case no swell ring is provided; or (3) to control the
vertical stress that is applied to the test specimen (see Fig. 3),
in which case a swell ring may or may not be needed,
depending upon how the top plate is designed and how the
vertical stress is applied. If a swell ring is used, it shall be
constructed of a rigid material that will not react adversely with
the test material or permeant water, shall have the same
diameter or width as the compaction mold/permeameter ring,
and shall be sufficiently high to allow free swelling of the test
specimen or to accommodate stress-control apparatus. Sand
may be placed in the swell ring to minimize erosion of the
specimen from influent flow provided that the sand is included
in the measurement of head losses in the permeameter (see
5.2.2).
FIG. 3 Compaction-Mold Permeameter With a Controlled Vertical
Stress Applied to the Top of the Test Specimen
5.3.3 Stress-Control Apparatus—If the upper surface of the
compacted test specimen is subjected to a controlled vertical
stress, the stress shall be applied through a rigid plate using any
means that maintains the stress within 6 5 % of the desired
value.
5.3.4 Bottom Plate—The bottom plate shall be constructed
of rigid material that does not react adversely with the test
material or permeant liquid. The plate shall serve the purpose
of preventing the test specimen from swelling downward,
supporting the test specimen, collecting effluent liquid from the
base of the test specimen, and ensuring one-dimensional flow
near the effluent end of the test specimen. The base plate shall
be sealed to the compaction mold/permeameter ring, for
example, with an O-ring, to prevent leakage. Checks for leaks,
conducted without soil in the cell, are helpful to ensure
FIG. 1 Compaction-Mold Permeameter with No Restraint Against
Swell
...