ASTM D4511-11
Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat

Standard No.

ASTM D4511-11

Release Date

2011

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM D4511-11(2020)

Latest

ASTM D4511-11(2020)

Scope

Values of hydraulic conductivity determined by this test method may be useful in making rough preliminary estimates of the initial rates of drainage and compression of peat deposits when the only effective stress increase on the deposit is that resulting from a moderate, gradual lowering of the water table.

Even under light, sustained loads, peat will undergo dramatic volume changes that influence (decrease) the hydraulic conductivity of the deposit by several orders of magnitude. This test method does not offer provisions for the determination of the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and the void ratios corresponding to increasing stress levels. Therefore, this test method is not suitable for applications involving grade increases, such as embankment construction or placement of access berms alongside drainage ditches.

Undisturbed specimens from apparently homogeneous peat deposits at the same location often exhibit significantly different hydraulic conductivity properties due to variations in material composition and sampling procedure.

Note 18212;The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the hydraulic conductivity (permeability) of essentially saturated, intact cylindrical specimens of peat when the hydraulic conductivity is greater than 1 × 10⁻⁷ m/s (1 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s). During the test, the specimens are contained in the core holder, or in right, regular cylindrical sections cut from the sampling tube in which they were originally obtained in the field.

1.2 Hydraulic conductivity is calculated on the basis of the measured constant flow rate through the specimen under constant head. For verification, flow rate determinations may be made at two or more values of constant head with corresponding calculations of hydraulic conductivity.

1.3 Units8212;The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are mathematical conversions, which are provided for information purposes only and are not considered standard.

1.3.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational system of units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.

1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedu......

ASTM D4511-11 Referenced Document

• ASTM D1587 Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
• ASTM D2434 Standard Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head)
• ASTM D2974 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D4220 Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
• ASTM D4753 Standard Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

ASTM D4511-11 history

• 2020 ASTM D4511-11(2020) Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat
• 2011 ASTM D4511-11 Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat
• 2000 ASTM D4511-00(2006) Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat
• 2000 ASTM D4511-00 Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat
• 1992 ASTM D4511-92(1996) Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity of Essentially Saturated Peat