Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice. In current practice an approximate measure of the capacity of a soil for receiving treated sewage is obtained from falling-head percolation tests with clear water. Therefore, techniques using very large (1 to 2-m diameter) infiltration basins have been recommended for measuring the very slow percolation rates typically needed for clay liners. 1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026. Abstract. 1.1 This guide covers a review of the test methods for determining hydraulic conductivity in unsaturated soils and sediments. (17), Reynolds et al. The ASTM D 3385 Standard Test Method for “Infiltration Rate of Soils in Field Using Double-Ring Infiltrometer” states in the Significance and Use section: “The purpose of the outer ring is to promote one-dimensional,vertical flow beneath the inner ring.” Standard percolation tests (such as for individual sewage disposal systems) measure both the vertical and horizontal components of soil infiltration. D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids, D2434 Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head), D3385 Test Method for Infiltration Rate of Soils in Field Using Double-Ring Infiltrometer, D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction, D4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by Microwave Oven Heating, D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data, ICS Number Code 07.060 (Geology. Use the following instructions to conduct a percolation test. Test methods are needed for measuring hydraulic conductivity ranging from 1 × 10−2 to 1 × 10−8 cm/s, for both surface and subsurface layers, and for both field-saturated and unsaturated flow. The most extensive use of field percolation testing for sanitary engineering application has been for the design and control of soil absorption systems for individual household sewage disposal. This document is part of your ASTM Compass® subscription. 1.5 Field test methods used to determine unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the field include direct measurement techniques and various estimation methods. 1.3 For these field test methods a distinction is made between “saturated” (Ks) and “field-saturated” (Kfs) hydraulic conductivity. 5.3 Information on unsaturated flow rates is needed to design hazardous waste landfills and impoundments where prevention of flow of contaminants into groundwater is needed. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. 2. Evaluation of the rate of water movement through a pond liner is one example of this kind of measurement. 1.2 Measurement of hydraulic conductivity in the field is used for estimating the rate of water movement through clay liners to determine if they are a barrier to water flux, for characterizing water movement below waste disposal sites to predict contaminant movement, and to measure infiltration and drainage in soils and sediment for a variety of applications. The air-entry permeameter can be used instead of infiltrometer tests to avoid lateral divergence of flow. It has been noted that small-ring infiltrometers are subject to error due to lateral divergence of flow. In addition to the use of the septic tank soil absorption system for the individual home as an on-lot disposal medium, soil is being used increasingly as a more general liquid waste disposal medium. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. For slowly permeable layers, an accurate method of measuring the rate of water movement into the borehole will need to be developed. D4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by Microwave Oven Heating D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data ICS Code Direct measurement techniques for determining unsaturated hydraulic conductivity include the instantaneous profile (IP) test method and the gypsum crust method. Some system designs may dictate different test procedures than those outlined below. Bendixen, T. W.Soil Scientist, Public Health Service, Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. True saturated conditions seldom occur in the vadose zone except where impermeable layers result in the presence of perched water tables. There are two very different types of soakaway – foul water soakaways and surface water soakaways. The percolation test measures the amount of time it takes for water in a test hole to drop 1 inch. Products and Services / Standards & Publications / Symposia Papers & STPs. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process. 1.2 The infiltrometer is installed by driving into the soil. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. 1.9 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. A home percolation test is a simple way to measure how quickly your soil drains and to determine how much area you need to infiltrate the greywater. Field test methods should simulate the “field-saturated” condition. The percolation test must be completed by a qualified site evaluator approved by the reviewing authority. 1.7.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. Estimation techniques have been developed using borehole permeameter data and using data obtained from desorption curves (a curve relating water content to matric potential). Typically, test holes are be dug at each end of the area of the absorption field and near the centerline. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. Link to Active (This link will always route to the current Active version of the standard. 2. True saturation does not occur due to entrapped air (1).2 The entrapped air prevents water from moving in air-filled pores that, in turn, may reduce the hydraulic conductivity measured in the field by as much as a factor of two compared to conditions when trapped air is not present (2). The ground water table should not rise to within The most extensive use of field percolation testing for sanitary engineering application has been for the design and control of soil absorption systems for individual household sewage disposal. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope. Please see applicable chapters for further requirements. This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. ). In addition to the use of the septic tank soil absorption system for the individual home as an on-lot disposal medium, soil is being used increasingly as a more general liquid … The instantaneous profile test method appears to provide very reliable data because it uses a large volume of soil (several cubic metres) and is performed on undisturbed soils in the field. The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.