ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1
Standard Practice for Field Pneumatic Slug (Instantaneous Change in Head) Tests to Determine Hydraulic Properties of Aquifers with Direct Push Groundwater Samplers

Standard No.

ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1

Release Date

2006

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1

Scope

5.1 Combining slug test methods with the use of direct push installed groundwater sampling devices provides a time and cost-effective method that was previously not available for evaluating spatial variations of hydraulic conductivity (K) in unconsolidated aquifers. Current research (Ref (4)) has found that small (decimeter) scale variations in hydraulic conductivity may have significant influence on solute transport and therefore design of groundwater remediation systems. Other investigators (Ref (5)) report that spatial variation in K is believed to be the main source of uncertainty in the prediction of contaminant transport in aquifers. They found that increasing the data density for K in model input noticeably reduced the uncertainty of model prediction. Because of increased efficiency and reduced costs, the combination of slug test methods with DP groundwater sampling devices makes it possible to obtain the additional information required to reduce uncertainty in contaminant transport models and improve remedial action design.

5.2 The data obtained from application of this practice may be modeled with the appropriate analytical method to provide information on the transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity of the screened formation in a timely and cost effective manner.

5.3 The appropriate analytical method selected for analysis of the data will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, the aquifer type (confined, unconfined, leaky) well construction parameters (partially or fully penetrating), and the type of aquifer response observed during the slug test (overdamped or underdamped). Some of the appropriate methods may include Test Methods D4104, D5785, D5881 and D5912. A thorough review of many slug test models and analytical methods is provided in Ref (1).

5.4 Slug tests may be conducted in materials of lower hydraulic conductivity than are suitable for pumping tests. Slug tests may be used to obtain estimates of K for aquitards consisting primarily of silts and clays. Special field procedures may be required.

5.5 The pneumatic slug test provides some advantages when compared to pumping tests or slug tests conducted by other methods.

5.5.1 Some of the advantages relative to pump tests include:

5.5.1.1 No water added to or removed from the well. An important consideration when water quality must not be altered for purposes of environmental sampling.

5.5.1.2 Large volumes of water not removed from the well as during a pumping test. An important consideration if the groundwater is contaminated and will require disposal as a regulated waste.

5.5.1.3 Slug tests usually require only a fraction of the time needed to complete a pump test.

5.5.1.4 No large diameter pumping well or down well pump required.

5.5.1.5 Slug tests provide information on K for the formation in the vicinity of the well.

5.5.2 Some advantages relative to slug tests using water or a mechanical slug include:

5.5.2.1 No water added to or removed from the well or DP sampler to conduct the test. Generally does not change water quality for sampl......

ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1 Referenced Document

• ASTM D2434 Standard Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head)
• 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 D4104 Standard Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug Tests)
• ASTM D5084 Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter
• ASTM D5092 Standard Practice for Design and Installation of Ground Water Monitoring Wells in Aquifers
• ASTM D5521 Standard Guide for Development of Ground-Water Monitoring Wells in Granular Aquifers (Withdrawn 2003)
• ASTM D5785 Standard Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Determining Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Underdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug Test)
• ASTM D5856 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter
• ASTM D5881 Standard Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining Transmissivity of Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Critically Damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug)
• ASTM D5912 Standard Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) Determining Hydraulic Conductivity of an Unconfined Aquifer by Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug)
• ASTM D6001 Standard Guide for Direct-Push Water Sampling for Geoenvironmental Investigations
• ASTM D6282 Standard Guide for Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environmental Site Characterizations
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D6724 Standard Guide for Installation of Direct Push Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• ASTM D6725 Standard Practice for Direct Push Installation of Prepacked Screen Monitoring Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers

ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1 history

• 2006 ASTM D7242/D7242M-06(2013)e1 Standard Practice for Field Pneumatic Slug (Instantaneous Change in Head) Tests to Determine Hydraulic Properties of Aquifers with Direct Push Groundwater Samplers
• 2006 ASTM D7242-06 Standard Practice for Field Pneumatic Slug (Instantaneous Change in Head) Tests to Determine Hydraulic Properties of Aquifers with Direct Push Ground Water Samplers