ASTM_D_6391_-_11_2020.pdf

Designation:D639111(Reapproved 2020)Standard Test Method forField Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity UsingBorehole Infiltration1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6391;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers field measurement of hydraulicconductivity(also referred to as coeffcient of permeability)ofporous materials using a cased borehole technique.Whenisotropic conditions can be assumed and a flush borehole isemployed,the method yields the hydraulic conductivity of theporous material.When isotropic conditions cannot be assumed,the method yields limiting values of the hydraulic conductivityin the vertical direction(upper limit)if a single stage isconducted and the horizontal direction(lower limit)if a secondstage is conducted.For anisotropic conditions,determinationof the actual hydraulic conductivity requires further analysis byqualified personnel.1.2 This test method may be used for compacted fills ornatural deposits,above or below the water table,that have amean hydraulic conductivity less than or equal to 1105m/s(1103cm/s).1.3 Hydraulic conductivity greater than 1105m/s may bedetermined by ordinary borehole tests,for example,U.S.Bureau of Reclamation 7310(1)2;however,the resulting valueis an apparent conductivity.1.4 For this test method,a distinction must be made between“saturated”(Ks)and“field-saturated”(Kfs)hydraulic conduc-tivity.True saturated conditions seldom occur in the vadosezone except where impermeable layers result in the presence ofperched water tables.During infiltration events or in the eventof a leak from a lined pond,a“field-saturated”conditiondevelops.True saturation does not occur due to entrapped air(2).The entrapped air prevents water from moving in air-filledpores,which may reduce the hydraulic conductivity measuredin the field by as much as a factor of two compared withconditions when trapped air is not present(3).This test methoddevelops the“field-saturated”condition.1.5 Experience with this test method has been predomi-nantly in materials having a degree of saturation of 70%ormore,and where the stratification or plane of compaction isrelatively horizontal.Its use in other situations should beconsidered experimental.1.6 As in the case of all tests for hydraulic conductivity,theresults of this test pertain only to the volume of soil permeated.Extending the results to the surrounding area requires bothmultiple tests and the judgment of qualified personnel.Thenumber of tests required depends on among other things:thesize of the area,the uniformity of the material in that area,andthe variation in data from multiple tests.1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.The values given in parentheses are provided forinformation only and are not considered standard.1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguide for significant digits and rounding established in PracticeD6026.1.8.1 The procedures in this standard that are used to specifyhow data are collected,recorded,and calculated are regardedas the industry standard.In addition,they are representative ofthe significant digits that should generally be retained.Theprocedures do not consider material variation,purpose forobtaining the data,special purpose studies,or any consider-ations for the objectives of the user.Increasing or reducing thesignificant digits of reported data to be commensurate withthese considerations is common practice.Consideration of thesignificant digits to be used in analysis methods for engineeringdesign is beyond the scope of this standard.1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.This test method does not purport to address environmentalprotection problems,as well.1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for the1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on HydrologicProperties and Hydraulic Barriers.Current edition approved Feb.15,2020.Published March 2020.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D639111.DOI:10.1520/D6391-11R20.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis standard.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordanc