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Designation: D2434 − 68(Reapproved 2006)

Standard Test Method for

Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2434; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.1.3 Flow in the steady state with no changes in hydraulic

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the coef- gradient, and
ficient of permeability by a constant-head method for the 3.1.4 Direct proportionality of velocity of flow with hydrau-
laminar flow of water through granular soils. The procedure is lic gradients below certain values, at which turbulent flow
to establish representative values of the coefficient of perme- starts.
ability of granular soils that may occur in natural deposits as 3.2 All other types of flow involving partial saturation of
placed in embankments, or when used as base courses under soil voids, turbulent flow, and unsteady state of flow are
pavements. In order to limit consolidation influences during transient in character and yield variable and time-dependent
testing, this procedure is limited to disturbed granular soils coefficients of permeability; therefore, they require special test
containing not more than 10 % soil passing the 75-µm (No. conditions and procedures.
200) sieve.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Apparatus
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Permeameters, as shown in Fig. 1, shall have specimen
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- cylinders with minimum diameters approximately 8 or 12
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. times the maximum particle size in accordance with Table 1.
The permeameter should be fitted with: (1) a porous disk or
2. Referenced Documents suitable reinforced screen at the bottom with a permeability
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 greater than that of the soil specimen, but with openings
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils suffıciently small (not larger than 10 % finer size) to prevent
D4253 Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit movement of particles; (2) manometer outlets for measuring
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table the loss of head, h, over a length, l, equivalent to at least the
D4254 Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit diameter of the cylinder; ( 3) a porous disk or suitable
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density reinforced screen with a spring attached to the top, or any
other device, for applying a light spring pressure of 22 to 45-N
3. Fundamental Test Conditions (5 to 10-lbf) total load, when the top plate is attached in place.
3.1 The following ideal test conditions are prerequisites for This will hold the placement density and volume of soil without
the laminar flow of water through granular soils under significant change during the saturation of the specimen and
constant-head conditions: the permeability testing to satisfy the requirement prescribed in
3.1.1 Continuity of flow with no soil volume change during 3.1.1.
a test, 4.2 Constant-Head Filter Tank, as shown in Fig. 1, to
3.1.2 Flow with the soil voids saturated with water and no supply water and to remove most of the air from tap water,
air bubbles in the soil voids, fitted with suitable control valves to maintain conditions
described in 3.1.2.
1
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 NOTE 1—De-aired water may be used if preferred.
Properties and Hydraulic Barriers.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally 4.3 Large Funnels, fitted with special cylindrical spouts 25
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D2434–68(2000). mm (1 in.) in diameter for 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.) maximum size
DOI: 10.1520/D2434-68R06.
2
particles and 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) in diameter for 2.00-mm (No. 10)
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
maximum size particles. The length of the spout should be
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on greater than the full length of the permeability chamber—at
the ASTM website. least 150 mm (6 in.).

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 D2434 − 68 (2006)

FIG. 1 Constant-Head Permeameter

TABLE 1 Cylinder Diameter

Minimum Cylinder Diameter
Maximum Particle Size
Less than 35 % of Total Soil Retained on Sieve Opening More than 35 % of Total Soil Retained on Sieve Opening
Lies Between Sieve Openings
2.00-mm (No. 10) 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.) 2.00-mm (No. 10) 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.)

2.00-mm (No. 10) and 9.5-mm 76 mm (3 in.) ... 114 mm (4.5 in.) ...
(3⁄8 in.)
9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.) and 19.0-mm ... 152 mm (6 in.) ... 229 mm (9 in.)
(3⁄4 in.)

4.4 Specimen Compaction Equipment 2—Compaction 5. Sample

equipment as deemed desirable may be used. The following are
5.1 A representative sample of air-dried granular soil, con-
suggested: a vibrating tamper fitted with a tamping foot 51 mm
taining less than 10 % of the material passing the 75-µm (No.
(2 in.) in diameter; a sliding tamper with a tamping foot 51 mm
200) sieve and equal to an amount sufficient to satisfy the
(2 in.) in diameter, and a rod for sliding weights of 100 g (0.25
requirements prescribed in 5.2 and 5.3, shall be selected by the
lb) (for sands) to 1 kg (2.25 lb) (for soils with a large gravel
content), having an adjustable height of drop to 102 mm (4 in.) method of quartering.
for sands and 203 mm (8 in.) for soils with large gravel 5.2 A sieve analysis (see Method D422) shall be made on a
contents. representative sample of the complete soil prior to the perme-
4.5 Vacuum Pump or Water-Faucet Aspirator, for evacuat- ability test. Any particles larger than 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) shall be
ing and for saturating soil specimens under full vacuum (see separated out by sieving (Method D422). This oversize mate-
Fig. 2). rial shall not be used for the permeability test, but the
percentage of the oversize material shall be recorded.
4.6 Manometer Tubes, with metric scales for measuring
head of water. NOTE 2—In order to establish representative values of coefficients of
permeabilities for the range that may exist in the situation being
4.7 Balance, of 2-kg (4.4-lb) capacity, sensitive to 1 g investigated, samples of the finer, average, and coarser soils should be
(0.002 lb). obtained for testing.
4.8 Scoop, with a capacity of about 100 g (0.25 lb) of soil. 5.3 From the material from which the oversize has been
4.9 Miscellaneous Apparatus—Thermometers, clock with removed (see 5.2), select by the method of quartering, a sample
sweep second hand, 250-mL graduate, quart jar, mixing pan, for testing equal to an amount approximately twice that
etc. required for filling the permeameter chamber.

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 D2434 − 68 (2006)

FIG. 2 Device for Evacuating and Saturating Specimen

6. Preparation of Specimens 6.4.2 For soils with a maximum size greater than 9.5 mm
6.1 The size of permeameter to be used shall be as pre- (3⁄8 in.), spread the soil from a scoop. Uniform spreading can be
scribed in Table 1. obtained by sliding a scoopful of soil in a nearly horizontal
position down along the inside surface of the device to the
6.2 Make the following initial measurements in centimetres bottom or to the formed layer, then tilting the scoop and
or square centimetres and record on the data sheet (Fig. 3); the drawing it toward the center with a single slow motion; this
inside diameter, D, of the permeameter; the length, L, between allows the soil to run smoothly from the scoop in a windrow
manometer outlets; the depth, H1, measured at four symmetri- without segregation. Turn the permeability cylinder sufficiently
cally spaced points from the upper surface of the top plate of for the next scoopful, thus progressing around the inside
the permeability cylinder to the top of the upper porous stone perimeter to form a uniform compacted layer of a thickness
or screen temporarily placed on the lower porous plate or equal to the maximum particle size.
screen. This automatically deducts the thickness of the upper
porous plate or screen from the height measurements used to 6.5 Compact successive layers of soil to the desired relative
determine the volume of soil placed in the permeability density by appropriate procedures, as follows, to a height of
cylinder. Use a duplicate top plate containing four large about 2 cm (0.8 in.) above the upper manometer outlet.
symmetrically spaced openings through which the necessary 6.5.1 Minimum Density (0 % Relative Density)—Continue
measurements can be made to determine the average value for placing layers of soil in succession by one of the procedures
H1. Calculate the cross-sectional area, A, of the specimen. described in 6.4.1 or 6.4.2 until the device is filled to the proper
level.
6.3 Take a small portion of the sample selected as pre- 6.5.2 Maximum Density (100 % Relative Density):
scribed in 5.3 for water content determinations. Record the 6.5.2.1 Compaction by Vibrating Tamper— Compact each
weight of the remaining air-dried sample (see 5.3), W1, for unit layer of soil thoroughly with the vibrating tamper, distributing
weight determinations. the light tamping action uniformly over the surface of the layer
6.4 Place the prepared soil by one of the following proce- in a regular pattern. The pressure of contact and the length of
dures in uniform thin layers approximately equal in thickness time of the vibrating action at each spot should not cause soil
after compaction to the maximum size of particle, but not less to escape from beneath the edges of the tamping foot, thus
than approximately 15 mm (0.60 in.). tending to loosen the layer. Make a sufficient number of
6.4.1 For soils having a maximum size of 9.5 mm (3⁄8 in.) or coverages to produce maximum density, as evidenced by
less, place the appropriate size of funnel, as prescribed in 4.3, practically no visible motion of surface particles adjacent to the
in the permeability device with the spout in contact with the edges of the tamping foot.
lower porous plate or screen, or previously formed layer, and 6.5.2.2 Compaction by Sliding Weight Tamper—Compact
fill the funnel with sufficient soil to form a layer, taking soil each layer of soil thoroughly by tamping blows uniformly
from different areas of the sample in the pan. Lift the funnel by distributed over the surface of the layer. Adjust the height of
15 mm (0.60 in.), or approximately the unconsolidated layer drop and give sufficient coverages to produce maximum
thickness to be formed, and spread the soil with a slow spiral density, depending on the coarseness and gravel content of the
motion, working from the perimeter of the device toward the soil.
center, so that a uniform layer is formed. Remix the soil in the 6.5.2.3 Compaction by Other Methods—Compaction may
pan for each successive layer to reduce segregation caused by be accomplished by other approved methods, such as by
taking soil from the pan. vibratory packer equipment, where care is taken to obtain a

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 D2434 − 68 (2006)

FIG. 3 Permeability Test Data Sheet

uniform specimen without segregation of particle sizes (see 6.6.2 Measure and record: the final height of specimen,
Test Methods D4253 and D4254). H1 − H2, by measuring the depth, H2, from the upper surface of
6.5.3 Relative Density Intermediate Between 0 and the perforated top plate employed to measure H1 to the top of
100 %—By trial in a separate container of the same diameter as the upper porous plate or screen at four symmetrically spaced
the permeability cylinder, adjust the compaction to obtain points after compressing the spring lightly to seat the porous
reproducible values of relative density. Compact the soil in the plate or screen during the measurements; the final weight of
permeability cylinder by these procedures in thin layers to a air-dried soil used in the test (W1 − W2) by weighing the
height about 2.0 cm (0.80 in.) above the upper manometer remainder of soil, W2, left in the pan. Compute and record the
outlet. unit weights, void ratio, and relative density of the test
NOTE 3—In order to bracket, systematically and representatively, the
specimen.
relative density conditions that may govern in natural deposits or in 6.6.3 With its gasket in place, press down the top plate
compacted embankments, a series of permeability tests should be made to against the spring and attach it securely to the top of the
bracket the range of field relative densities. permeameter cylinder, making an air-tight seal. This satisfies
6.6 Preparation of Specimen for Permeability Test: the condition described in 3.1.1 of holding the initial density
6.6.1 Level the upper surface of the soil by placing the without significant volume change during the test.
upper porous plate or screen in position and by rotating it 6.6.4 Using a vacuum pump or suitable aspirator, evacuate
gently back and forth. the specimen under 50 cm (20 in.) Hg minimum for 15 min to

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 D2434 − 68 (2006)
remove air adhering to soil particles and from the voids. NOTE 5—Much lower values of hydraulic gradient, h/L, are required
Follow the evacuation by a slow saturation of the specimen than generally recognized, in order to ensure laminar flow conditions. The
following values are suggested: loose compactness ratings, h/L from 0.2 to
from the bottom upward (Fig. 2) under full vacuum in order to 0.3, and dense compactness ratings, h/L from 0.3 to 0.5, the lower values
free any remaining air in the specimen. Continued saturation of of h/L applying to coarser soils and the higher values to finer soils.
the specimen can be maintained more adequately by the use of
(1) de-aired water, or (2) water maintained in an in-flow 7.3 At the completion of the permeability test, drain the
temperature sufficiently high to cause a decreasing temperature specimen and inspect it to establish whether it was essentially
gradient in the specimen during the test. Native water or water homogeneous and isotropic in character. Any light and dark
of low mineral content (Note 4) should be used for the test, but alternating horizontal streaks or layers are evidence of segre-
in any case the fluid should be described on the report form gation of fines.
(Fig. 3). This satisfies the condition described in 3.1.2 for
saturation of soil voids. 8. Calculation

NOTE 4—Native water is the water occurring in the rock or soil in situ. 8.1 Calculate the coefficient of permeability, k, as follows:
It should be used if possible, but it (as well as de-aired water) may be a k 5 QL/Ath
refinement not ordinarily feasible for large-scale production testing.
where:
6.6.5 After the specimen has been saturated and the per-
meameter is full of water, close the bottom valve on the outlet k = coefficient of permeability,
tube (Fig. 2) and disconnect the vacuum. Care should be taken Q = quantity of water discharged,
to ensure that the permeability flow system and the manometer L = distance between manometers,
A = cross-sectional area of specimen,
system are free of air and are working satisfactorily. Fill the
t = total time of discharge,
inlet tube with water from the constant-head tank by slightly h = difference in head on manometers.
opening the filter tank valve. Then connect the inlet tube to the
top of the permeameter, open the inlet valve slightly and open 8.2 Correct the permeability to that for 20°C (68°F) by
the manometer outlet cocks slightly, to allow water to flow, multiplying k (see 8.1) by the ratio of the viscosity of water at
thus freeing them of air. Connect the water manometer tubes to test temperature to the viscosity of water at 20°C (68°F).
the manometer outlets and fill with water to remove the air.
Close the inlet valve and open the outlet valve to allow the 9. Report
water in the manometer tubes to reach their stable water level 9.1 The report of permeability test shall include the follow-
under zero head. ing information:
7. Procedure 9.1.1 Project, dates, sample number, location, depth, and
any other pertinent information,
7.1 Open the inlet valve from the filter tank slightly for the
9.1.2 Grain size analysis, classification, maximum particle
first run to conditions described in 3.1.3, delay measurements
size, and percentage of any oversize material not used,
of quantity of flow and heat until a stable head condition
without appreciable drift in water manometer levels is attained. 9.1.3 Dry unit weight, void ratio, relative density as placed,
Measure and record the time, t, head, h (the difference in level and maximum and minimum densities,
in the manometers), quantity of flow, Q, and water temperature, 9.1.4 A statement of any departures from these test
T. conditions, so the results can be evaluated and used,
9.1.5 Complete test data, as indicated in the laboratory form
7.2 Repeat test runs at heads increasing by 0.5 cm in order
for test data (see Fig. 3), and
to establish accurately the region of laminar flow with velocity,
v (where v = Q ⁄At ), directly proportional to hydraulic 9.1.6 Test curves plotting velocity, Q/At, versus hydraulic
gradient, i (where i = h ⁄L). When departures from the linear gradient, h/L , covering the ranges of soil identifications and of
relation become apparent, indicating the initiation of turbulent relative densities.
flow conditions, 1-cm intervals of head may be used to carry
the test run sufficiently along in the region of turbulent flow to 10. Keywords
define this region if it is significant for field conditions. 10.1 constant head; granular; permeability; soils

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 D2434 − 68 (2006)
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