NOTE For an excavation or a borehole, a large volume of water might flow before

the water level reaches equilibrium with the groundwater pressure. On the other
hand, some types of piezometer require only a very small change in the volume of
water for the groundwater pressure to be read. The rate at which water flows
through the soil depends on the permeability of the soil. The time required for a
measuring system to indicate the true groundwater pressure is known as the
response time and depends both on the quantity of water required to enter the
system (including all pipes and tubes) to operate the pressure measuring device, and
on the permeabilities of the ground (including any medium, e.g. sand or grout,
placed between the pressure measuring device and the ground as part of the
installation) and the piezometer. The selection of a suitable method for measuring
the groundwater pressure is largely determined by the response time (see Terzaghi
and Peck, 1948 [116]). Piezometers generally respond quicker in soils with large
compressibility (see Gibson, 1963 [117]).

Figure 17 Typical response times for various piezometers

x
Key
1 Diaphragm piezometer 4 Casagrande open piezometer
2 Closed Hydraulic (Bishop) X Time for 90% response
piezometer (with 2.5 m long tubes) (days)
3 Closed Hydraulic (Bishop) У Coefficient of permeability
piezometer (with 300 m long tubes) for ground (m/s)

52.5 Standpipe piezometers

COMMENTARY ON 52.5
A standpipe piezometer is a device consisting either of a tube or pipe with a porous
element on the end, or with a perforated end section surrounded by or wrapped
with a filter, which is sealed into the ground at the appropriate level. It is normally
installed in a borehole. The basis for distinguishing between a standpipe piezometer
and an observation well is how the response zone is sealed into the ground
(see Clayton et al., 1995 [22] and Figure 18).
The tube of a standpipe piezometer should be of at least 12 mm internal
diameter to allow air bubbles to rise freely and the top of the tube should be
open to atmosphere to allow the water level inside the tube to come to
equilibrium with the pore water pressure in the ground. Access to the top of the
standpipe should be given to allow the water level to be measured. This should
normally be done using an electric dip-meter, which gives an audible "beep" or
light or both when it makes contact with the water or it may be done by
placing a pressure sensor at the bottom of the standpipe and relating the
measured pressure to the water level.