BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019

BSI Standards Publication

Geotechnical investigation and testing -

Laboratory testing of soil
Part 11: Permeability tests
BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 17892‑11:2019.
It partially supersedes BS 1377‑5:1990 , s p e c i fi c a l l y C l au s e 5 , a nd

BS 1377‑6:1990 , s p e c i fic a l l y C l au s e 5 .

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical

C o m m i t te e B/5 2 6/3 , S i te i nve s ti gati o n a n d g ro u n d te s ti n g.

A lis t o f o rga n i z ati o n s re p re s e n te d o n th i s co m m i t te e c a n b e o b t a i ne d o n

request to its secretary.

T h i s p u b l i c atio n do e s no t p u r p o r t to i nc lude a l l the ne c e s s a r y p ro vi s io n s

of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

© The British Standards Institution 2019
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2019
ISBN 978 0 580 94082 8
IC S 1 3 .0 8 0 . 2 0; 93 .02 0

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from

legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
S ta n d a rd s Po l ic y a nd S trate g y C o m m i t te e o n 3 1 M a rch 2 0 19 .

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 17892-11
N O RM E E U RO P É E N N E

E U RO PÄI S C H E N O RM February 2019

ICS 1 3 .080.2 0; 93 .02 0 S u p e rs e d e s CEN I S O /TS 1 789 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 0 4,

E n gl i s h Ve r s i o n

G e o te c h n i c a l i n ve s t i g a t i o n a n d te s t i n g ‑ L a b o r a to r y

te s t i n g o f soil ‑ Part 11: P e r m e a b i l i t y te s t s ( I S O

17892‑11:2019)
Re c o n n a i s s a n c e e t e s s a i s gé o t e c h n i q u e s ‑ G e o te c h n i s c h e E r k u n d u n g u n d

Essais de laboratoire sur les sols ‑ Partie 11: U n t e r s u c h u n g ‑ L a b o r ve r s u c h e a n

E s s a i s d e p e r m é a b i l i té ( I S O 1 7 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 1 9 ) B o d e n p r o b e n ‑ Te i l 1 1 : B e s ti m mu n g de r

Wa s s e r d u r c h l ä s s i g ke i t ( I S O 1 7 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 1 9 )

T h i s E u r o p e a n S t a n d a r d wa s a p p r o ve d b y C E N o n 8 Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 9 .

C E N m e m b e r s a r e b o u n d to c o m p l y w i t h t h e C E N/C E N E L E C I n te r n a l Re g u l a t i o n s wh i c h s t i p u l a te t h e c o n d i t i o n s fo r givi ng

th i s E u ro p e a n S ta nd a rd the s tatu s o fa n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d w i t h o u t a n y a l te r a t i o n . U p ‑ to ‑ d a te l i s t s a n d b i b l i o g r a p h i c a l

re fe r e n c e s c o n c e r n i n g s u c h n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s m a y b e o b t a i n e d o n a p p l i c a t i o n to t h e C E N ‑ C E N E L E C M a n a ge m e n t C e n t r e

o r to a n y C E N m e m b e r.

T h i s E u ro p e a n S ta nd a rd e x i s ts i n th re e o ffi c i a l ve r s i o n s ( E n g l i s h , F r e n c h , G e r m a n) . A ve r s i o n i n a n y o t h e r l a n g u a ge

m ade b y tra n s l atio n u nde r the re s p o n s ib i l i t y o fa C E N m e m b e r i n to i t s o w n l a n g u a ge a n d n o t i fi e d to t h e C E N ‑ C E N E L E C

M a n a ge m e n t C e n t r e h a s t h e s a m e s t a t u s a s t h e o ffi c i a l ve r s i o n s .

C E N me m b e rs a re the n ati o n a l s ta nd a rd s b o d ie s o f Au s t r i a , B e l g i u m , B u l g a r i a , C r o a t i a , C y p r u s , C z e c h Re p u b l i c , D e n m a rk ,

E s to n i a , F i n l a n d , Fo r m e r Yu go s l a v Re p u b l i c o f M ac e do n i a , F r a n c e , G e r m a n y, G r e e c e , H u n g a r y, I c e l a n d , I r e l a n d , I t a l y,

L a t v i a , L i t h u a n i a , L u xe m b o u r g , M a l t a , N e t h e r l a n d s , N o r w a y, P o l a n d , P o r t u g a l , Ro m a n i a , S e r b i a , S l o va k i a , S l o ve n i a , S p a i n ,

S we d e n , S w i t z e r l a n d , Tu rke y a n d U n i te d K i n gd o m .

E U RO P E AN C O M M I T T E E FO R S TAN DARD I Z AT I O N

C O M I T É E U RO P É E N D E N O RM ALI S AT I O N

E U RO PÄI S C H E S KO M I T E E F Ü R N O RM U N G

CEN- CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2019 CEN Al l r i gh ts o f e x p l o i ta ti o n in a ny fo r m and b y any m e an s r e s e r ve d Ref. No. EN ISO 1 7892 ‑1 1 : 2 01 9: E

wo r l d w i d e fo r CEN n a ti o n a l M e m b e rs
BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
EN ISO 17892-11:2019 (E)

European foreword
T his do c u me n t (EN ISO 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 19 ) has b e en p re p a re d by Te ch n i c a l C o m m i t te e I S O/ T C 182

" G e o te ch n ic s " i n c o l l ab o ratio n w i th Te c h n ic a l C o m m i t te e C E N/ T C 3 41 “G e o te ch n ic a l I nve s ti gatio n a n d

Te s ti n g ” the s e c re ta r i at o f wh ich i s he ld b y B S I .

T his E u ro p e a n S ta n d a rd shal l be g i ve n the s t atu s o f a n atio n a l s ta n d a rd , e i the r by p u b l i c ati o n o f an

i de n ti c a l te x t o r b y e n do r s e me nt, at the l ate s t b y Au g u s t 2 0 19 , a nd co n fl i c ti n g n ati o n a l s t a n d a rd s s h a l l

b e w i thd raw n at the l ate s t b y Au g u s t 2 0 19 .

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
p ate n t r i gh ts . C E N s h a l l no t b e he ld re s p o n s i b le fo r i de n ti fyi n g a ny o r a l l s uch p ate nt r i ght s .

T h i s do c u me n t s up e r s e de s C E N I S O/ T S 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 0 4 .

Acc o rd i n g to the C E N‑ C E N E LEC I nte r n a l Re g u l atio n s , the n ati o n a l s ta n d a rd s o rga n i z ati o n s o f the

fo l lo w i n g c o u n tr i e s a re b o u nd to i mp le me n t th i s E u ro p e a n S ta nd a rd : Au s tr i a , B e l g iu m , B u l ga r i a , C ro ati a ,

C ypru s , C z e ch Re p ub l ic , D e n m a rk, E s to n i a , Fi n l a nd , Fo r me r Yu go s l av Re p u b l i c o f M ac e do n i a , F r a nce ,

G e r m a ny, Gre e ce , H u n ga r y, I c e l a nd , I re l a n d , I ta l y, L at v i a , L i thu a n i a , Lu xe mb o u r g , M a l ta , N e the rl a nd s ,

N o r way, Po l a n d , Po r tu ga l , Ro m a n i a , S e rb i a , S lo va ki a , S lo ve n i a , S p a i n , S we de n , S w i tz e rl a nd , Tu rke y a n d

the Un i te d K i n gdo m .

Endorsement notice
T he te x t o f ISO 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 19 has b e en ap p ro ve d by CEN as EN ISO 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 19 w i tho u t a ny

mo d i fic ati o n .

ii
 BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
ISO 17892-11:2019

Contents Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ iv
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. v
1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 Symbols .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5 Apparatus ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5 .1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
G e n e ral

5.2 Permeameters .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

5 .2 .1 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
G e n e ral

5 .2 .2 Ri gi d wal l p e rm e am e te rs ......................................................................................................................................... 3
5.2.3 Flexible wall permeameter ..................................................................................................................................... 5
5.3 Porous discs ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Permeant water properties .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
5 .5 M e as u re m e n t an d co n tro l d evi ce s ......................................................................................................................................... 7
5 .5 .1 E l evati o n h e ad .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
5 .5 .2 D i s p l ace m e n t an d vo l u m e m e as u ri n g d evi ce s ....................................................................................... 7
5 .5 .3 F l o w vo l u m e m e as u re m e n t d evi ce .................................................................................................................. 7
5.6 Ancillary apparatus ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
6 Test procedure ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
6.1 G e n e ral re qu i re m e n ts ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1.1 Saturation ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 .2 H yd rau l i c grad i e n t .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1.3 Water temperature ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
6.2 Specimen preparation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 .1 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
G e n e ral

6.2 .2 Ri gi d wal l p e rm e am e te r ............................................................................................................................................ 9

6.2.3 Flexible wall permeameter .................................................................................................................................. 10
6.3 Test preparation .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
6.3 .1 C yl i n d ri cal p e rm e am e te r ....................................................................................................................................... 10
6.3 .2 .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
O e d o m e te r ri n g

6.3.3 Flexible wall permeameter .................................................................................................................................. 11

6.4 Permeability measurement....................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.5 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
D i s m o u n ti n g

7 Test results ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

7.1 B u l k d e n s i ty, d ry d e n s i ty, wate r co n te n t an d d e gre e o f s atu rati o n ........................................................ 14
7.2 Coe ffi ci e n t o f p e rm e ab i l i ty an d hyd rau l i c grad i e n t ............................................................................................. 14
7.3 C o rre cti o n fo r te s t te m p e ratu re ............................................................................................................................................ 15
8 Test report................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
8.1 M an d ato ry re p o rti n g ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15
8.2 O p ti o n al re p o rti n g ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Annex A (n o rm ative ) Calibration, maintenance and checks .................................................................................................... 17
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d iii
BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
ISO 17892-11:2019

Foreword
I S O (the I n te r n atio n a l O r ga n i z atio n fo r S ta nd a rd i z atio n) i s a wo rld w i de fe de rati o n o f n atio n a l s t a nd a rd s

b o d ie s (I SO me mb e r b o d ie s) . T he wo rk o f p re p a r i n g I n te r n atio n a l S t a nd a rd s is no r m a l l y c a rrie d o ut

th ro u gh ISO te c h n ic a l co m m i t te e s . E ach me mb e r b o dy i n te re s te d in a s ub j e c t fo r wh i ch a te ch n i c a l

c o m m i t te e has b een e s tab l i s he d has the r i ght to be re p re s e n te d on th at c o m m i t te e . I nte r n atio n a l

o r ga n i z atio n s , go ve r n me n ta l a nd no n‑ go ve r n me n ta l , in liaison w i th I SO, also ta ke p art in the wo rk.

ISO co l l ab o r ate s c lo s e l y w i th the I n te r n atio n a l E le c tro te c h n ic a l C o m m i s s io n (I E C ) on all m at te r s o f

e le c tro te ch n i c a l s ta n d a rd i z ati o n .

T he p ro c e du re s used to de ve lo p th i s do c u me nt a nd tho s e i n te n de d fo r i ts fu r the r m a i n te n a nce a re

de s c r i b e d i n the I S O/ I E C D i re c ti ve s , P a r t 1 . I n p a r tic u l a r, the d i ffe re n t ap p ro va l c r i te r i a ne e de d fo r the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
f
e d i to r i a l r u le s o www.iso. ).
the I S O/ I E C D i re c ti ve s , P a r t 2 (s e e o rg/d i re c ti ve s

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
p ate n t r i ght s . ISO shal l no t b e he ld re s p o n s i b le fo r ide n ti fy i n g a ny o r a l l s uch p ate nt r i gh ts . D e ta i l s o f
a ny p ate nt r i gh ts ide n ti fi e d du r i n g the de ve lo p me n t o f the do c u me n t w i l l b e i n the I n tro duc tio n a n d/o r

o n the I S O l i s t o f p ate n t de cl a ratio n s re c e i ve d (s e e www.iso.o r g/p ate n ts ).

A ny tr ade n a me u s e d i n th i s do c u me nt i s in fo r m atio n g i ve n fo r the co nve n ie nc e o f u s ers a n d do e s no t

constitute an endorsement.

Fo r an e x p l a n ati o n o f the vo lu n ta r y n atu re o f s ta nd a rd s , the me a n i n g o f ISO s p e c i fi c te r m s a nd

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
Wo rld Tr ade O rga n i z ati o n ( W T O) p r i nc ip le s www.iso.
in the Te ch n i c a l B arriers to Tr ade (TB T ) , see

f eword.html.
o r g/i s o/ or

T his do c u me n t wa s p re p a re d by the E u ro p e a n C o m m i t te e fo r S ta nd a rd i z atio n (C E N ) Te ch n i c a l

C o m m i t te e C E N/ T C 3 41 , Geotechnical Investigation and Testing, in collaboration with ISO Technical

C o m m i t te e I S O/ T C 182 , Geotechnics , in acc o rd a nce w i th the A g re e me n t on te c h n ic a l co o p e r atio n

b e t we e n I S O a nd C E N ( Vie n n a Ag re e me n t) .

T his fi r s t e d i ti o n c a nce l s a nd re p l ace s I S O/ T S 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 0 4 , wh i ch has b een te ch n i c a l l y re v i s e d . It

a l s o i nc o r p o r ate s the Te ch n ic a l C o r r i ge n du m I S O/ T S 17 8 9 2 ‑1 1 : 2 0 0 4/C o r 1 : 2 0 0 6 .

T he m a i n c h a n ge s co mp a re d to the p re vi o u s e d i tio n a re a s fo l lo ws :

— the do c u me nt has b e en re s tr uc tu re d w i th ge ne ra l re v i s i o n o f te x t a nd fi g u re s a nd add i ti o n o f

s p e c i me n p re p a ratio n p ro c e du re s ;

— typ e s o f ap p a ratu s h ave b e e n i nclude d fo r r i g i d wa l l p e r me a me te r s , b o th c yl i n d r ic a l a n d o e do me te r

r i n g e qu ip me n t, a n d fle x ib le wa l l p e r me a me te r s ;

— p e r me ab i l i t y me a s u re me n t by co n s ta n t he ad , fa l l i n g he ad a nd co n s ta nt flo w co n d i ti o n s has

b e e n i nclude d;

— no r m ati ve Annex A o n c a l i b r ati o n , m a i n te n a nce a n d che c ks h a s b e e n adde d .

A list of all the parts in the ISO 17892 series can be found on the ISO website.

A ny fe e db ack o r que s tio n s o n th i s do c u me n t s ho u ld b e d i re c te d to the u s e r ’s n ati o n a l s t a n d a rd s b o d y. A

c o mp le te l i s ti n g o f the s e b o d ie s c a n b e fo u nd at www.iso. o r g/m embers.html.

iv © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
 BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
ISO 17892-11:2019

Introduction
T h i s do c u me n t p ro vi de s l ab o rato r y te s t me tho d s fo r the de te r m i n atio n o f the co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y
o f soi ls w i th i n the i n te r n ati o n a l fi e ld o f ge o te c h n ic a l e n g i ne e r i n g.

T he te s t s h ave no t p re v io u s l y b e en s t a n d a rd i z e d i nte r n atio n a l l y. It is i n te nde d th at th i s do c u me n t

p re s e n ts b ro ad go o d p rac tic e a nd s i g n i fi c a n t d i ffe re nc e s w i th n atio n a l do c u me n ts i s no t a n tic ip ate d . I t

i s b a s e d o n i n te r n atio n a l p rac tic e (s e e Re fe re nce [1] ).

T he p e r me ab i l i t y te s t i s c a r r i e d o u t o n a c yl i nd r ic a l te s t s p e c i me n th at i s e i the r co n fi ne d l ate ra l l y b y a

r i g id co n ta i ne r o r b y a fle x i b le me mb ra ne . T he s p e c i me n i s s ub j e c te d to d i ffe re n ti a l hyd rau l ic he ad a n d

the wate r flo w i s me a s u re d u nde r e i the r a c o n s t a n t o r fa l l i n g he ad . T he re s u l ts a re u s e d to de te r m i ne

the c o e ffi c i e nt o f p e r me ab i l i t y o f the s o i l s p e c i me n . Te s t s c a n b e c a r r ie d o u t o n u n d i s tu rb e d , re mo u lde d ,

compacted or reconstituted specimens.

T he c a lc u l atio n o f the co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y a s s u me s the ap p l i c atio n o f D a rc y ’s l aw fo r laminar

flo w o f wate r u n de r s atu rate d c o nd i tio n s .

I t i s p o s s ib l e th at the s i z e o f the s p e c i me n do e s no t ade qu ate l y re p re s e n t the fab r ic fe atu re s p re s e n t i n

fi e ld co nd i ti o n s .

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d v
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 BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17892-11:2019

Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory

testing of soil —
Part :
Permeability tests
1 Scope
This do c u me n t s p e c i fie s me tho d s fo r the l ab o rato r y de te r m i n atio n o f the wate r flo w

characteristics in soil.
This do c u me n t i s ap p l i c ab le to the l ab o rato r y de te r m i n ati o n o f the co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y o f s oi l

w i th i n the s co p e o f ge o te ch n ic a l i nve s ti gatio n s .

NO TE T h i s do c u ment fu l fi l s the r e qu i r e m e n t s o f th e de te r m i n a tio n o f th e co e ffi c i e n t o f p e r m e ab i l i t y o f soi ls

i n the l ab o r a to r y fo r ge o te c h n i c a l i n ve s ti ga ti o n a n d te s ti n g i n ac c o r d a n c e w i th EN 1997‑1 and EN 1997‑2.

2 Normative references
T he fo l lo w i n g do c u me n ts a re re fe r re d to in the te x t in s uc h a way th at s o me or all o f the i r co n te nt

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
u n d ate d re fe re nc e s , the l ate s t e d i tio n o f the re fe re nc e d do c u me nt (i nc lud i n g a ny a me nd me nt s) ap p l ie s .

ISO 386, Liquid-in-glass laboratory thermometers — Principles of design, construction and use
ISO 14688‑1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification and classification o f soil — Part 1:
Identification and description
ISO 17892‑1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing o f soil — Part 1: Determination
of water content

ISO 17892‑2, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing o f soil — Part 2: Determination
of bulk density

ISO 17892‑3, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing o f soil — Part 3: Determination
of particle density

3 Terms and definitions

Fo r the p u r p o s e s o f th i s do c u me n t, the fo l lo w i n g te r m s a n d de fi n i ti o n s ap p l y.

I S O a n d I E C m a i n ta i n te r m i no lo g ic a l d atab a s e s fo r u s e i n s ta nd a rd i z atio n at the fo l lo w i n g add re s s e s :

— I S O O n l i ne b ro ws i n g p l at fo r m : ava i l ab le at ht tp s : //w w w .iso. o r g/o b p

— I E C E le c tro p e d i a: ava i l ab le at h t tp : //w w w. e le c tro p e d i a . o r g/

3.1
permeameter
ap p a ratu s (ce l l ) co n ta i n i n g the te s t s p e c i me n i n a p e r me ab i l i t y te s t

3.2
flow rate
vo lu me o f wate r p a s s i n g th ro u gh a s p e c i me n p e r u n i t ti me

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d 1
BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
ISO 17892-11:2019

3.3
discharge velocity
r ate o f flo w o f wate r p e r u n i t c ro s s ‑ s e c ti o n a l a re a o f s p e c i me n i n the d i re c ti o n o f flo w

3.4
hydraulic gradient
r ati o o f the di ffe re nc e in e le vatio n he ad o f wate r ( he ad lo s s) b e t we e n t wo p o i n ts , to the le n g th o f the

flo w p ath (d i s ta nce b e t we e n the p o i n ts me a s u re d i n the d i re c tio n o f flo w)

Note 1 to entry: In F i g u r e 1 th e h yd r au l ic g r ad i e n t i s i = Δ h l.
/

Key
1 measurement point 1
2 measurement point 2
3 specimen
4 standpipe
5 standpipe head
6 datum

F i g u r e 1 — Wa t e r f l o w i n a s o i l s p e c i m e n

3.5
c o e f
fi c i e n t o f p e r m e a b i l i t y

ratio of the discharge velocity 3.3) to the hydraulic gradient 3.4) ( (

N o te 1 to e n tr y: T he c o e ffi c i e n t o f p e r m e a b i l i t y i s i n ac c o r d a nc e w i th D a r c y' s l aw fo r l a m i n a r fl o w.

3.6
degree of saturation
r ati o o f the vo lu me o f wate r to the vo lu me o f vo id s

4 Symbols

A c ro s s ‑ s e c ti o n a l a re a o f s p e c i me n i n the d i re c tio n o f flo w

a cross‑sectional area of standpipe
a in cross‑sectional area of inlet pipe
aout cross‑sectional area of outlet pipe
B p o re p re s s u re c o e ffi c ie nt
D diameter of the specimen

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h1 to t a l he ad o f wate r ab o ve d atu m at me a s u re me n t p o i n t 1

h2 to t a l he ad o f wate r ab o ve d atu m at me a s u re me n t p o i n t 2

Δ h difference in head of water between measurement point 1 and 2

Δ h t1 he ad o f wate r ab o ve o u tle t e le vatio n at ti me t 1
Δ h t2 he ad o f wate r ab o ve o u tle t e le vatio n at ti me t 2
l d i s ta nc e b e t we e n me a s u r i n g p o i nt s 1 a n d 2 i n the d i re c tio n o f flo w
k co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y
kT co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y co r re c te d to te mp e ratu re

Q flo w rate

v d i s c h a r ge ve lo c i t y

i hyd rau l i c g rad ie n t

S de g re e o f s atu ratio n
Δ σc increment of cell pressure
Δ t i nc re me n t o f ti me b e t we e n t wo re ad i n gs

Δ u ch a n ge i n p o re p re s s u re due i nc re me n t o f ce l l p re s s u re

α correction factor for temperature

T temperature

5 Apparatus
5.1 General
T he e qu ip me n t s h a l l u n de r go re g u l a r c a l i b ratio n , m a i n te n a nce a n d c he cks a s s p e c i fi e d i n Annex A.

T he p e r me ab i l i t y te s t a r ra n ge me nt re qu i re s a c o n ta i ne r fo r the s p e c i me n (the p e r me a me te r) wh ic h m ay

h ave e i the r r i g i d o r fle x i b le wa l l s a nd a s ys te m fo r ap p l yi n g a n d me a s u r i n g wate r p re s s u re s to e i the r o r

b o th e nd s o f the s p e c i me n . S che m atic s o f s o me t y p i c a l a r ra n ge me nt s a re s ho w n i n F i g ures 2 to 4.

5.2 Permeameters
5.2.1 General
T he m i n i mu m i n te r n a l d i me n s io n ( he i gh t a n d d i a me te r) o f the p e r me a me te r s h a l l b e at le a s t s i x ti me s

the m a x i mu m p a r ticl e s i z e o f the s p e c i me n .

5.2.2 Rigid wall permeameters

5.2.2.1 General
R i g i d wa l l p e r me a me te r s shall be m ade o f c o r ro s io n‑ re s i s ta nt m ate r i a l s o f su ffic ie n t r i g id i t y to re s i s t

de fo r m atio n du r i n g the te s t. T he i n le t a nd o u tle t a r ra n ge me n ts shal l be o f su ffic ie n t flo w c ap ac i t y to

no t i n flue nce the te s t re s u l ts . H yd ro p ho b ic c o ati n g c a n b e u s e d o n the i n s i de o f the p e r me a me te r, mo u ld

o r r i n g to p re ve n t ch a n ne l s a nd c av i ti e s th at c a n c au s e b y p a s s s e e p a ge a lo n g the s u r face . T h i s co ati n g

c an con s i s t o f s i l ic o n g re a s e , p e tro le u m j e l l y co ate d w i th b e n to n i te p o wde r o r o the r s u i tab le lu b r i c a n t.

5.2.2.2 Cylindrical permeameter

A c yl i nd r i c a l p e r me a me te r co mp r i s e s a c yl i n d r ic a l mo u ld fi t te d w i th p o ro u s discs on a to p ‑ p l ate a nd

b a s e p l ate . T he p l ate s a re mo u n te d w i th wate r ti ght s e a l s a nd e qu ip p e d w i th va l ve s whe re wate r i n le t

and outlet can be connected.

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Two or mo re fi t te d gl a nd s can be p ro vi de d fo r co n ne c ti n g m a no me te r tu b e s/s ta ndp ip e s a lo n g the

le n g th o f the c yl i nde r.

I f re qu i re d a p i s to n th at go e s th ro u gh the to p p l ate a nd can be lo cke d w i th a wate r ti gh t seal at the

ve r ti c a l p o s i ti o n whe re it is in co n tac t w i th the to p p o ro u s disc, s ho u ld be p ro v ide d to m a i n ta i n the

s p e c i me n he i gh t du r i n g the te s t.

A t y p ic a l a r ra n ge me n t fo r a p e r me ab i l i t y te s t in a c yl i nd r i c a l rigid wa l l p e r me a me te r is s ho w n

in F i g u re 2 .

Key
1 re s e rvo i r

2 porous disc
3 perforated base plate
4 specimen
5 o ve rfl o w

6 m e as u ri n g cyl i n d e r

7 standpipe

Figure 2 — Example arrangement for a constant head test in a cylindrical rigid

wall permeameter

5.2.2.3 Oedometer ring permeameter

A n o e do me te r r i n g p e r me a me te r co mp r i s e s a n o e do me te r r i n g th at ho ld s the s p e c i me n i n a n o e do me te r

used fo r co mp re s s io n te s t s . A t y p ic a l a r ra n ge me n t fo r a p e r me ab i l i t y te s t in an o e do me te r ri ng

permeameter is shown in F i g u re 3 .

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Key
1 o e d o m e te r ri n g

2 specimen
3 porous disc
4 water seal
5 re s e rvo i r

6 standpipe
7 ve rti cal l o ad an d d i s p l ace m e n t m e as u re m e n t d evi ce

Figure 3 — Example arrangement for a falling head test in an oedometer cell permeameter

5.2.3 Flexible wall permeameter

5.2.3.1 General
A fle x ib l e wa l l p e r me a me te r c a n b e u s e d whe re the s o i l s p e c i me n i s to b e te s te d u nde r s p e c i fi c e ffe c ti ve
s tre s s c o nd i ti o n s a n d/o r whe re b ack p re s s u re w i l l b e u s e d to fu l l y s atu r ate the s p e c i me n . T he te s t c a n

be p er fo r me d in a s ta nd a rd tr i a x i a l ap p a rat u s . I t ne e d s to h ave a cel l th at c a n be p re s s u r i s e d , a base

p e de s ta l a nd to p c ap w i th p o ro u s discs a nd c o n ne c to r s to the wate r flo w me a s u re me n t s ys te m a nd a

membrane that seals the surface of the specimen.

A t y p ic a l a r ra n ge me n t fo r a p e r me ab i l i t y te s t i n a fle x ib l e wa l l p e r me a me te r i s s ho w n i n F i g u re 4 .

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Key
1 top cap
2 porous disc
3 specimen
4 membrane
5 pedestal
6 cell pressure
7 d i s p l ace m e n t m e as u re m e n t d e vi ce

8 p re s s u re co n tro l an d vo l u m e m e as u re m e n t d e vi ce

F i g u r e 4 — E x a m p l e a r r a n g e m e n t f
o r a f l e x i b l e w a l l p e r m e a m e t e r

5.2.3.2 Membranes

T he soil s p e c i men shal l be c o n fi ne d by an e l a s tic me mb ra ne wh i ch e ffe c ti ve l y p re ve n ts the ce l l flu i d

fro m p e ne trati n g i n to the s p e c i me n . I f r ub b e r me mb ra ne s a re used the y shal l h ave an u n‑ s tre tche d

d i a me te r b e t we en 9 5 % a nd 1 0 0 % o f the s p e c i me n d i a me te r. T he me mb ra ne s a re s e a le d w i th O ‑ r i n gs

on the pedestal and top cap.

5.2.3.3 Cell pressure system

T he de v ic e s fo r ap p l yi n g p re s s u re to the ce l l a nd to the b ac k p re s s u re s ys te m shal l be c ap ab le o f

m a i n t a i n i n g a s tab l e p re s s u re w i th i n 1 kP a o r 1 % o f the ab s o lu te p re s s u re , wh i che ve r i s g re ate r. T he

to ta l c e l l p re s s u re u s e d s h a l l b e g re ate r th a n the s u m o f the b ac k p re s s u re a nd the i n le t p re s s u re ap p l ie d .

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5.2.3.4 Cell pressure fluid

T he cel l flu id s ho u ld be s e le c te d s uch th at i t do e s no t s i g n i fic a ntl y p e ne trate th ro u gh the me mb ra ne

i n to the s p e c i me n no r e x trac t p o re wate r fro m the s p e c i me n th ro u gh the me mb r a ne in the p e r io d o f

ti me i t ta ke s to p e r fo r m the p e r me ab i l i t y te s t.

NO TE D e ‑ a i r e d wa te r i s ge ne r a l l y fo u n d to m e e t th e s e r e q u i r e m e n ts .

5.3 Porous discs

The specimen is contained between porous discs at both ends of the specimen. The porous discs shall
be o f c o r ro s i o n‑ re s i s ta nt m ate r i a l a nd shall a l lo w fre e d r a i n a ge o f wate r, wh i le p re ve n ti n g i n tr u s io n

o f s oi l p a r ticl e s i n to the i r p o re s . T he up p e r a nd lo we r sur face s shal l be p l a ne , c le a n a nd u n d a m a ge d .

F i l te r p ap e r m ay b e u s e d to p re ve nt s o i l p a r tic le s fro m clo g g i n g the p o ro u s discs . T he p e r me ab i l i t y o f

the d i s c s to ge the r w i th the fi l te r p ap e r, i f us ed, s h a l l b e at le a s t o ne o rde r o f m a g n i tude h i ghe r th a n the

permeability of the specimen tested.

5.4 Permeant water properties

Water of a similar chemistry to the pore water should be used if the soil is susceptible to the chemistry
o f the wate r. I f the che m i s tr y o f the p o re wate r i s u n kno w n , tap wate r s ho u ld b e u s e d a s i ts che m i s tr y

i s mo re l i ke l y to b e s i m i l a r to g ro u nd wate r th a n d i s ti l le d wate r wo u ld b e . T he wate r s h a l l b e de ‑ a i re d .

5.5 Measurement and control devices

5.5.1 Elevation head

T he wate r e le vatio n he ad can be me a s u re d as the di ffe re nce in he i gh t o f the wate r s o u rc e a nd the

water outlet.

E le c tro n ic di ffe re n ti a l or ab s o lu te p re s s u re tr a n s duc e r s can also be used to de te r m i ne the e le vatio n

he ad ap p l i e d . D i ffe re n ti a l tr a n s duce r s m ay b e p re fe r re d whe n h i gh b ack p re s s u re s a re ap p l i e d ,

I fa r i g id wa l l p e r me a me te r i s u s e d i t i s p re fe r ab le to me a s u re the p re s s u re (e le vatio n he ad ) di ffe re nc e

at gl a nd s a lo n g the l e n g th o f the s p e c i me n , due to p o te nti a l lo s s in p re s s u re o ve r tu b e s , va l ve s a nd

fi l te r d i s c s . T he co r re s p o nd i n g flo w le n g th s a re the d i s t a nce s b e t we e n the gl a nd s a lo n g the s ide o f the

specimen which shall be determined to an accuracy of 1 %.

5.5.2 Displacement and volume measuring devices

I f the s p e c i me n he i ght o r c ro s s ‑ s e c tio n a l a re a can ch a n ge s i g n i fi c a n tl y du r i n g the te s t a nd a ffe c t the

c a lc u l atio n o f p e r me ab i l i t y, me a s u r i n g de v ice s a re re qu i re d to me a s u re the d i me n s io n a l ch a n ge s o f the

s p e c i me n du r i n g the te s t.

5.5.3 Flow volume measurement device

T he vo lu me o f wate r p as s ing th ro u gh the s p e c i me n can be me a s u re d on g r adu ate d tu b e s or fro m

the we i gh t o f e x p e l le d wate r. I f me a s u re me nt s a re ta ke n o ve r a lo n g p e r io d o f ti me , e vap o r atio n o f
wate r fro m the s e tu b e s or wate r re ce p tac le s s ho u ld be p re ve n te d to avo id e r ro r s in the me a s u re d

flo w vo lu me s .

T he flo w rate m ay a l s o b e me a s u re d b y i n s e r ti n g a n a i r b u b b le i n to b o th the i n le t a nd o u tle t tu b e s , o f

kno w n d i a me te r a nd me a s u r i n g the trave l ti me o f the air b ub b le s c o r re s p o n d i n g to the flo w vo lu me .

T he d i a me te r o f the tu b e s s h a l l b e che cke d at the p re s s u re u s e d fo r the flo w me a s u re me n t.

I f d i gita l p re s s u re/vo lu me c o ntro l le r s a re used the ch a n ge in vo lu me a nd p re s s u re can be

automatically recorded.

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T he ti me b e t we e n wate r vo lu me me a s u re me n ts can be me a s u re d by a s to p watch or a d ata‑

lo g g i n g s ys te m .

T he me a s u re me n t du ratio n s h a l l b e s u ffic ie n t to de te r m i ne the flo w vo lu me w i th i n a n ac c u r ac y o f 10 %.

5.6 Ancillary apparatus

The ancillary apparatus consists of:

— b a l a nc e , acc u rac y 0 , 0 1 g o r 0 , 1 % o f the we i ghe d m a s s , wh iche ve r va lue i s g re ate r;

— ti me r re ad ab le to 1 s ;

— m a x i mu m/m i n i mu m the r mo me te r re ad ab le to 1 ° C ;

— apparatus for determination of water content.

The apparatus for the specimen preparation consists of:

— c u t ti n g a nd tr i m m i n g to o l s (e . g. a s h a r p kn i fe , w i re s aw, s p atu l a , c u t ti n g r i n g , s o i l l athe) ;

— s te e l s tra i gh t e d ge , w i th a m a x i mu m de v i ati o n fro m s tra i gh t o f 0 ,1 % o f its le n g th;

— tr y‑ s qu a re o r a j i g (e . g. a m i tre b o x) o r s p l i t mo u ld to e n s u re th at fl atne s s s h a l l b e acc u rate to w i th i n

0, 5 % o f e ach d i me n s io n a n d th at r i ght‑ a n gle s a re w i th i n 0 , 5 ° o f tr ue ;

— c a l l ip e r s , e i the r a n a lo g ue o r d i g i ta l , re ad ab le to 0 ,1 m m o r 0 ,1 % o f the me a s u re d le n g th , wh i che ve r

va lue i s g re ate r;

— co mp ac tio n e qu ip me nt (e . g. P ro c to r c o mp ac to r, g y rato r y c o mp ac to r s o r t a mp i n g ro d s) .

6 Test procedure
6.1 General requirements
6.1.1 Saturation
T he de g re e o f s atu rati o n has a g re at i mp ac t on the me a s u re d p e r me ab i l i t y. A c o mp le te l y s atu rate d

s p e c i me n g i ve s the h i ghe s t va lue o f me a s u re d p e r me ab i l i t y. It is no t a l ways p o s s i b le to e n s u re fu l l

s atu r ati o n du r i n g the te s t due to e qu ip me n t or soi l co nd i ti o n , so the de g re e o f s at u r ati o n s ho u ld be

c a lc u l ate d a nd re p o r te d fo r e ac h te s t. Un le s s a cl ay s p e c i me n i s kno w n to b e s atu rate d , b ack p re s s u re

should be used to saturate the specimen.

6.1.2 Hydraulic gradient

T he hyd rau l ic g rad i e nt shal l be su ffic ie n tl y lo w to e n s u re laminar flo w c o n d i tio n s a nd to p re ve n t

m ate r i a l tra n s p o r t w i th i n the s p e c i me n a nd h i gh e no u gh to e n s u re e xc e e d i n g the th re s ho ld g rad i e nt .

T he mo re p e r me ab le the s o i l , the lo we r the hyd rau l ic g rad i e n t th at s ho u ld b e u s e d . T he va lue s i n Table 1

h ave b e e n fo u nd to b e he lp fu l whe n c ho o s i n g the hyd rau l ic g rad i e nt . S t ab le c o nd i ti o n s c a n b e c o n fi r me d

b y me a s u r i n g the co e ffi c i e n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y fo r the s a me s p e c i me n at d i ffe re n t hyd rau l ic g rad ie n ts .

Table 1 — Guidelines for maximum recommended hydraulic gradient

Permeability (m/s) Recommended maximum hydraulic gradient
>10 −5
1
10 −5
to 10 −6
2
10 −6
to 10 −7
5
10 −7
to 10 −8
10

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Permeability (m/s) Recommended maximum hydraulic gradient

10 −8
to 10 −9
20
<10 −9
3 0 o r g r e ate r

6.1.3 Water temperature

T he vi s c o s i t y o f wate r ch a n ge s w i th te mp e ratu re a nd a ffe c ts the me a s u re d p e r me ab i l i t y. T he

temperature at which the test was performed shall be recorded.

6.2 Specimen preparation

6.2.1 General

6.2.1.1 Th e fo l l o wi n g p ro ce d u re s s h al l ap p ly to u n d i s tu rb e d , re m o u l d e d , co m p acte d or

reconstituted samples.

6.2.1.2 E xam i n e s am p l e s p ri o r to te s ti n g an d s e l e ct th e l e as t d i s tu rb e d m ate ri al fo r th e te s t. I f

s i gn i fi can t d i s tu rb an ce is ap p are n t in th e s p e ci m e n th i s s ho uld be re co rd e d in th e te s t re p o rt. H i gh ly

f
d i s tu rb e d s am p l e s wi l l n o t p ro vi d e m e an i n g u l re s u l ts an d s h o u l d n o t b e te s te d .

6.2.1.3 S p e ci m e n s m ay be p re p are d d i re ctly wi th i n a cyl i n d ri cal p e rm e am e te r or fro m p revi o u s ly

fab ri cate d o r u n d i s tu rb e d tu b e o r b l o ck s am p l e s fo r th e o e d o m e te r o r fl exi b l e wal l p e rm e am e te rs .

6.2.1.4 Th e m axi m u m p arti cl e s i z e s h o u l d n o t exce e d 1 /6

th of the minimum internal dimension of the
p e rm e am e te r. I f l arge r p arti cl e s are p re s e n t a l arge r p e rm e ame te r s h o u l d b e u s e d o r th e l arge r p arti cl e s

s ho uld be re m o ve d an d th e p ro p o rti o n re m o ve d s h al l be re p o rte d . I f l arge r p arti cl e s are fo u n d a fte r

completion of the test, their presence shall be noted in the report.

6.2.1.5 Take care to m ai n tai n th e wate r co n te n t o f th e s p e ci m e n d u ri n g th e p re p arati o n p ro ce s s . I f th e

p ro ce s s is i n te rru p te d , th e s p e ci m e n s h al l be p ro te cte d so that th e wate r co n te n t d o e s n o t ch an ge . Ai r

ci rcu l ati o n aro u n d th e s p e ci m e n s h al l b e avo i d e d .

6.2.2 Rigid wall permeameter

6.2.2.1 D i s tu rb e d s am p l e s s h al l be p re p are d by co m p acti n g th e s o il i n to th e p e rm e am e te r or

compaction mould either at the required water content under the application of the appropriate
co m p acti o n e ffo rt, o r to ach i eve th e s p e ci fi e d d ry d e n s i ty.

6.2.2.2 Samples prepared in a compaction mould shall be prepared at the required specimen diameter
and extruded.

6.2.2.3 B l o ck o r tu b e s am p l e s s h al l b e p l ace d o n to th e tri mm i n g o r tu b e s am p l e extru s i o n ap p aratu s ,

th e cu tte r s h al l be fi tte d i n to th e p e rm e am e te r or mo uld an d th e cu tti n g e d ge s h al l be l o we re d on to

th e p re p are d s u r ace . f Th e cu tte r s ho uld be ce n tre d on th e s am p l e , unles s vi s i b l e d i s co n ti n u i ti e s or

d i s tu rb an ce s u gge s ts th at a b e tte r qu al i ty s p e ci m e n can b e cu t o ff‑ ce n tre .

6.2.2.4 Th e cu tte r s h al l be s te ad i ly p u s h e d i n to th e s am p l e u n ti l th e p e rm e am e te r or mo uld is fi l l e d

wi th soil wi th an exce s s p ro tru d i n g fro m th e to p . Soil cu tti n gs s h al l be re m o ve d so th at advan ce o f th e

cutter is not impeded.

6.2.2.5 Wi th s ti ff s o ils th e s am p l e s h al l be tri m m e d in advan ce o f th e cu tte r to ab o u t 1 mm or 2 mm

l arge r th an th e i n te rn al s p e ci m e n d i am e te r s o th at th e cu tti n g e d ge re m o ve s th e re m ai n i n g th i n l aye r.

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6.2.2.6 The s am p l e s h al l be cu t o ff u n d e rn e ath th e p e rm e am e te r or mo uld to re m o ve th e cu tte r an d

contained soil.

6.2.2.7 E ach e n d o f th e s p e ci m e n s h al l b e tri m m e d i n tu rn u s i n g ap p ro p ri ate to o l s to cu t away exce s s

soil a little at a time.

6.2.2.8 Immediately after preparation the mass of the specimen shall be determined to an accuracy of
0 , 1 % o r 0 , 0 1 g wh i ch eve r val u e i s gre ate r.

6.2.2.9 Fo r a ri gi d wal l p e rm e am e te r, th e s p e ci m e n are a is take n as th e i ns ide cro s s ‑ s e cti o n al are a

o f th e p e rm e am e te r. Th e h e i gh t o f th e s p e ci m e n s h al l be d e te rm i n e d to an accu racy o f 0 ,5 mm or 1 %

wh i ch eve r val u e i s gre ate r.

6.2.2.10 C o m p l e te th e as s e m b ly o f th e p e rm e am e te r.

6.2.3 Flexible wall permeameter

6.2.3.1 C ut an d tri m th e s p e ci m e n to th e re q u i re d dimens io ns . Take care to avo i d de fo rm i n g th e

s p e ci m e n d u ri n g th e cu tti n g an d tri m m i n g p ro ce s s .

6.2.3.2 The s oil s p e ci m e n e nd f

s u r ace s s h al l be p l an e an d p e rp e n d i cu l ar to th e l o n gi tu d i n al axi s

in accordance with ISO 17892‑2 . G ro o ve s an d ho le s in th e e nds an d s ides o f th e s p e ci m e n sho uld be

re m o ve d b y fu rth e r tri m m i n g o r a n e w s p e ci m e n s e l e cte d i f avai l ab l e . O th e rwi s e , fi l l gro o ve s o r h o l e s n o t

exce e d i n g 1 /6
th of the specimen diameter with remoulded sample material.

6.2.3.3 S p e ci me n s m ay b e p re p are d i n th e l ab o rato ry b y co m p acti n g th e m ate ri al i n l aye rs i n to a s p l i t

m o u l d wi th th e ru b b e r m e m b ran e m o u n te d i n s i d e . Wate r m i xe d i n to th e m ate ri al s h o u l d b e give n ti m e

be fo re th e co m p acti o n to e qu al i z e o ve r th e wh o l e s o i l m as s .

6.2.3.4 M e as ure th e s p e ci m e n h e i gh t, d i am e te r an d m as s in acco rd an ce wi th ISO 17892‑2 by linear

measurement.

6.2.3.5 C h e ck th at th e m e m b ran e to b e u s e d i s fre e fro m d am age th at m ay cau s e l e akage d u ri n g th e te s t.

6.2.3.6 M o u n t th e s p e ci m e n i n to th e ap p aratu s , wi th th e m e m b ran e an d O ‑ ri n gs so th at i t i s ce n tre d

wi th re s p e ct to th e to p an d b o tto m p l ate n s . Take extre m e care to avo i d , as m u ch as p o s s i b l e , d e fo rm i n g

th e s p e ci m e n du ri n g th e m o u n ti n g p ro ce s s . Ve ry so ft s p e ci m e n s m ay h ave to be m o u n te d wi th o u t

to u ch i n g th e s p e ci m e n b y h an d at any s tage d u ri n g th e p re p arati o n .

6.2.3.7 C o m p l e te th e as s e m b ly o f th e fl exi b l e wal l p e rm e am e te r.

6.3 Test preparation

6.3.1 Cylindrical permeameter

6.3.1.1 I f th e p e rm e am e te r i s e q u i p p e d wi th m an o m e te r tu b e s , th e i r valve s s h al l b e cl o s e d d u ri n g th e

equipment and specimen saturation process.

6.3.1.2 The permeameter water inlet shall be connected to a de‑aired water supply with a low hydraulic
grad i e n t j u s t s u ffi ci e n t to al l o w th e wate r to s l o wly p e rco l ate th ro u gh th e s p e ci m e n . I fa vacu u m s o u rce

i s avai l ab l e i t m ay b e co n n e cte d to th e o u tl e t b e fo re th e i n l e t valve i s o p e n e d . Wh e n vacu u m i s u s e d th e

i n l e t valve s h al l b e o p e n e d s l o wly to p re ve n t tu rb u l e n t fl o w co n d i ti o n s an d s p e ci m e n d i s tu rb an ce .

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6.3.1.3 Wh e n th e s p e ci m e n an d p e rm e am e te r h ave been ad e qu ate ly s atu rate d , open th e co n n e cti o n s

to the manometer tubes and apply the inlet and outlet pressures.

6.3.2 Oedometer ring

6.3.2.1 Th e o e d o m e te r ri n g co n tai n i n g th e s p e ci m e n s h al l b e p l ace d i n p o s i ti o n o n th e ap p aratu s .

6.3.2.2 A s m al l s e ati n g p re s s u re s h al l be ap p l i e d to th e s p e ci m e n n o t exce e d i n g 3 kPa (i n ad d i ti o n to

th e s tre s s d u e to th e we i gh t o f th e to p cap an d p o ro u s d i s c) to e n s u re p ro p e r co n tact b e twe e n th e l o ad i n g

s ys te m an d th e s o il. C are s h al l be take n to as s e m b l e th e to p cap an d l o ad fram e s u ch th at th e l o ad is

ap p l i e d axi al ly wi th o u t i m p o s i n g ti l t o f th e to p cap .

6.3.2.3 Th e de fo rm ati o n m e as u ri n g ap p aratu s s h al l be s e cu re d in p o s i ti o n an d th e i n i ti al re ad i n g

co rre s p o n d i n g to z e ro d e fo rm ati o n s h al l b e re co rd e d .

6.3.2.4 The permeability test can be performed both as a standalone test and as part of an incremental
o e d o m e te r te s t. Th e s e q u e n ce o f s tre s s e s to be ap p l i e d to th e s p e ci m e n s ho uld be d e fi n e d taki n g i n to

account the nature of the soil, the presumed in situ stress history and the parameters that are required
fro m th e te s t. Th e s tre s s ap p l i e d d u ri n g th e p e rm e ab i l i ty te s t s h al l take i n to acco u n t th e ch an ge in

e ffe ctive s tre s s p ro d u ce d by th e hyd rau l i c h e ad . Th e e ffe ctive s tre s s s ho uld be ad e qu ate to p reve n t

s we l l i n g. Pe rm e ab i l i ty m e as u re m e n ts can o n ly be take n wh e n th e s o il s p e ci m e n is fai rly s tab l e , a fte r

primary consolidation is complete at the required consolidation stress.

6.3.2.5 Take re ad i n gs o f d i s p l ace m e n t an d vo l u m e ch an ge m e as u re m e n t d evi ce s o n co m p l e ti o n o f th e

co n s o l i d ati o n s tage .

6.3.2.6 Apply the inlet pressure required for the permeability test.

6.3.3 Flexible wall permeameter

6.3.3.1 Take i n i ti al re ad i n gs o f d i s p l ace m e n t an d vo l u m e ch an ge m e as u re m e n t d e vi ce s .

6.3.3.2 Saturation

6.3.3.2.1 In th e fl exi b l e wal l p e rm e am e te r ad e qu ate s atu rati o n o f th e s p e ci m e n m ay be

ach i eve d e i th e r b y:

— the ap p l i c atio n o f i nc re me n ts o f cel l p re s s u re w i th clo s e d d ra i n a ge , w i th re s u l ti n g i nc re a s e i n p o re

water pressure, or

— the ap p l ic ati o n o f i nc re me n ts o f b o th ce l l a nd b ac k p re s s u re w i th o p e n d ra i n a ge .

T he s e le c ti o n o f the me tho d o f s atu rati o n s h a l l e n s u re th at the e ffe c ti ve s tre s s e s w i th i n the s p e c i me n

a re no t ra i s e d to a le ve l th at a ffe c t s b e h avi o u r du r i n g the p e r me ab i l i t y me a s u re me n t.

T he e ffe c ti ve s tre s s s ho u ld b e ade qu ate to p re ve n t s we l l i n g.

6.3.3.2.2 Th e e ffe ctive s tre s s e s acti n g o n th e s p e ci m e n d u ri n g s atu rati o n s h al l n o t exce e d th e s p e ci fi e d

e ffe ctive s tre s s e s fo r th e te s t.

6.3.3.2.3 I f p e rfo rm i n g s atu rati o n wi th cl o s e d d rai n age , th e fo l l o wi n g s h o u l d al s o b e m e t:

— the o b s e r ve d i nc re a s e i n b ack p re s s u re du r i n g i nc re me n ts o f cel l p re s s u re s ho u ld b e at l e a s t 9 0 % o f

the co r re s p o nd i n g i nc re a s e i n c e l l p re s s u re ;

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— fo r e ffe c ti ve c o n s o l id ati o n s tre s s e s b e lo w 2 0 kP a the di ffe re nc e in the i nc re me n t o f ce l l a nd b ack

p re s s u re s ho u ld b e ke p t b e lo w 2 kP a .

I f the s e c r i te r i a c a n no t b e me t, s atu ratio n u s i n g o p e n d ra i n a ge s ho u ld b e co n s i de re d .

I f ap p l y i n g b ac k p re s s u re u s i n g o p e n d ra i n a ge , the c h a n ge i n e ffe c ti ve s tre s s s ho u ld b e no t g re ate r th a n

5 kP a du r i n g s atu ratio n .

6.3.3.3 Saturation checks

6.3.3.3.1 S atu rati o n by b ack p re s s u re s ho uld be ch e cke d by m e as u ri n g th e B ‑ val u e . To f

p e r o rm th e

ch e ck, cl o s e th e d rai n age to th e s p e ci m e n , i n cre as e th e ce l l p re s s u re b y an i s o tro p i c i n cre m e n t (Δ σc) and

re co rd th e co rre s p o n d i n g i n cre as e i n p o re p re s s u re (Δ u ). Th e val u e o f th e i s o tro p i c i n cre m e n t n e e d s to

b e care fu l ly ch o s e n , re fl e cti n g th e n atu re o f th e s am p l e an d th e i n te n d e d fi n al e ffe ctive s tre s s e s re qui re d

o n th e s am p l e , b u t i n cre m e n ts b e twe e n 1 0 kPa an d 1 0 0 kPa are o fte n fo u n d to b e ap p ro p ri ate .

6.3.3.3.2 C al cu l ate th e B ‑ val u e acco rd i n g to Fo rm u l a (1 ) :

∆u
B= (1)

∆σ c

6.3.3.3.3 Saturation should be considered complete when a B ‑ val u e o f at l e as t 0 , 9 5 is ach i eve d . I f th e

B ‑ val u e is les s th an 0,95 , fu rth e r i n cre m e n ts o f ce l l p re s s u re , or ce l l an d b ack p re s s u re ( 6.3.3.2) shall
be applied and the B ‑ val u e re ‑ m e as u re d ( 6.3.3.3 ). I f d u ri n g re p e ate d i n cre m e n ts th e B ‑ val u e s h o ws no

s i gn i fi can t i n cre as e , th e s atu rati o n s tage m ay b e co n s i d e re d co m p l e te .

6.3.3.4 Take re ad i n gs o f d i s p l ace m e n t an d vo l u m e ch an ge m e as u re m e n t d evi ce s . Ad j u s t th e ce l l

pressure until the difference between the total cell pressure and the total pore pressure becomes equal
to th e s p e ci fi e d e ffe ctive s tre s s . Th e ch o i ce o f e ffe ctive s tre s s s h al l take i n to acco u n t th e i n cre as e d

e l e vati o n (p re s s u re ) h e ad d u ri n g th e p e rm e ab i l i ty te s t. Pe rm e ab i l i ty m e as u re m e n ts can o n ly b e take n

wh e n th e s o i l s p e ci m e n i s fai rly s tab l e , a fte r p ri m ary co n s o l i d ati o n i s co m p l e te at a s p e ci fi c co n s o l i d ati o n

stress increment.

6.3.3.5 Take re ad i n gs o f di s p l ace m e n t an d vo l u m e ch an ge m e as u re m e n t d evi ce s .

6.3.3.6 Apply the inlet and outlet pressures required for the permeability test.

6.4 Permeability measurement

6.4.1 Pe rm e ab i l i ty te s ts m ay b e carri e d o u t u n d e r e i th e r a co n s tan t h e ad o r a fal l i n g h e ad . I n a fal l i n g

h e ad te s t th e o u tl e t p re s s u re m ay b e m ai n tai n e d co n s tan t (co n s tan t tai l te s t) o r b o th th e i n l e t an d o u tl e t

p re s s u re s vari e d (th e rai s i n g tai l te s t) . I n th e co n s tan t fl o w te s t th e fl o w i s ap p l i e d d i re ctly th ro u gh th e

s p e ci m e n b y a p u m p . T h e s e arran ge m e n ts are s h o wn s ch e m ati cal ly i n F i gu re 5 .

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a) Constant head test b) Falling head test c) Falling head rising tail test

d ) C o n s t a n t f l o w t e s t

F i g u r e 5 — A l t e r n a t i ve a r r a n g e m e n t s to g e n e r a t e f l o w fo r p e r m e a b i l i t y m e a s u r e m e n t

6.4.2 I n a co n s tan t h e ad te s t b o th th e wate r i n l e t l e ve l an d th e o u tl e t l eve l are ke p t co n s tan t. I n a fal l i n g

h e ad te s t th e i n l e t wate r l eve l fal l s th ro u gh th e i n l e t b u re tte o r s tan d p i p e as th e wate r fl o ws th ro u gh th e

s p e ci me n . Th i s re s u l ts i n varyi n g hyd rau l i c grad i e n t d u ri n g th e te s t.

6.4.3 Th e re qu i re d minimum am o u n t o f th e wate r fl o w or th e ch an ge o f th e wate r l eve l d u ri n g

e ach m e as u re m e n t s h al l be ch o s e n b as e d on th e accu racy o f th e m e as u re m e n t d evi ce s us e d, i. e. th e

m e as ure m e n t p e ri o d s h al l be lo ng e n o u gh an d th e hyd rau l i c grad i e n t h i gh e n o u gh to p ro vi d e re l i ab l e

an d re p re s e n tative re s u l ts .

6.4.4 I f po ss ible, th e re l ati o n o f th e i n fl o w rate an d o u tfl o w rate s ho uld be cal cu l ate d to eval u ate th e

s tate o f fl o w as th i s can be a ffe cte d by s atu rati o n an d co n s o l i d ati o n . I f th e rati o b e twe e n i n fl o w an d

o u tfl o w i s b e twe e n 0 , 7 5 an d 1 , 2 5 , th e fl o w co n d i ti o n s m ay b e co n s i d e re d acce p tab l e .

6.4.5 Th e p re s e n ce o f gas wi th i n th e s p e ci m e n wi l l a ffe ct th e re s u l t. I f b ub b les fl o w o ut fro m th e

s p e ci me n d u ri n g th e p e rm e ab i l i ty m e as u re m e n t s atu rati o n s ho uld be co n ti n u e d an d th e p e rm e ab i l i ty

m e as ure m e n t re p e ate d o r th e i r vo l u m e s h o u l d b e q u an ti fi e d an d take n i n to acco u n t i n th e m e as u re m e n t

o f fl o w vo l u m e .

6.4.6 I f th e s p e ci m e n h e i gh t o r cro s s ‑ s e cti o n al are a can ch an ge s i gn i fi can tly d u ri n g th e te s t an d a ffe ct

th e cal cu l ati o n o f p e rm e ab i l i ty, re co rd th e d i m e n s i o n al ch an ge s o f th e s p e ci m e n d u ri n g th e te s t.

6.4.7 Th e cal cu l ate d val u e o f p e rm e ab i l i ty s h al l b e co n s i s te n t o ve r fo u r i n te rval s o f ti m e . I f th e re i s an

i n cre as i n g o r d e cre as i n g tre n d , fu rth e r m e as u re m e n ts s h al l b e take n u n ti l co n s i s te n t re s u l ts are ach i eve d .

6.5 Dismounting

6.5.1 Wh e n th e p e rm e ab i l i ty m e as u re m e n ts are fi n i s h e d , cl o s e th e wate r i n l e t an d o u tl e t valve s an d

disconnect the permeameter from the hydraulic pressure sources.

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6.5.2 D rai n th e fl exi b l e wal l p e rm e am e te r ce l l (i f us ed) .

6.5.3 D i s m an tl e th e p e rm e am e te r, extract th e s p e ci m e n an d i f th e s p e ci m e n i s i n tact, we i gh th e wh o l e

specimen and if required, record its dimensions.

6.5.4 U n d i s tu rb e d s p e ci m e n s s h o u l d b e cu t o p e n to al l o w any i n te rn al s tru ctu re s o r i n h o m o ge n e i ty to

b e i d e n ti fi e d an d re co rd e d .

6.5.5 Either determine the dry mass of the entire specimen, or determine the water content of a
re p re s e n tative p art o f th e s p e ci m e n wi th o u t fu rth e r d e l ay i n acco rd an ce wi th I S O 1 7 8 9 2 ‑ 1 i n o rd e r th at

the dry mass may be calculated.

7 Test results

7.1 Bulk density, dry density, water content and degree of saturation

7.1.1 C al cu l ate th e i n i ti al wate r co n te n t fro m th e fi n al d ry m as s an d th e i n i ti al we t m as s o f th e s p e ci m e n .

7.1.2 C al cu l ate th e i n i ti al b u l k an d d ry d e n s i ti e s fro m th e i n i ti al m e as u re m e n ts o f s p e ci m e n d i m e n s i o n s

an d m as s fo l l o wi n g th e l i n e ar m e as u re m e n t p ro ce d u re s i n acco rd an ce wi th ISO 17892‑2. If the specimen
d i m e n s i o n s d u ri n g th e te s t are avai l ab l e , th e d ry d e n s i ty at th e ti m e o f th e m e as u re m e n t o f p e rm e ab i l i ty
shall also be calculated.

7.1.3 C al cu l ate th e fi n al d e gre e o f s atu rati o n , S, b as e d on a p arti cl e d e n s i ty val u e m e as u re d in

accordance with ISO 17892‑3 , o r e s ti m ate d , an d th e wate r co n te n t at th e e n d o f te s t (6.5.5).

7 . 2 C o e f fi c i e n t o f p e r m e a b i l i ty a n d h yd ra u l i c g ra d i e n t

7.2.1 I f any o f th e e qu i p m e n t u s e d (valve s , tu b e s , p o ro u s d i s cs , e tc. ) cau s e s a h e ad l o s s th at i s gre ate r

th an 10 % o f th e e l e vati o n h e ad ap p l i e d in th e te s t, th i s s ho uld be co rre cte d fo r. Th e co rre cti o n can

be d e te rm i n e d by m e as u ri n g th e di ffe re n ti al p re s s u re re qu i re d to fl o w wate r th ro u gh th e e qu i p m e n t

wi th o u t a te s t s p e ci m e n at th e s am e fl o w rate as th at o f th e p e rm e ab i l i ty te s t wi th th e te s t s p e ci m e n .

T he hyd rau l i c g rad ie n t, i, i s c a lc u l ate d acc o rd i n g to Fo r mu l a (2 ) .

∆h
i = (2 )

7.2.2 T h e co e ffi ci e n t o f p e rm e ab i l i ty s h al l b e cal cu l ate d fo r e ach o f th e fo u r o r m o re te s t i n te rval s an d

th e ave rage val u e cal cu l ate d .

Fo r co n s ta n t he ad a nd co n s ta nt flo w te s ts the co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y is c a lc u l ate d acco rd i n g to

Fo r mu l a (3 ) .

v Q Q ×l
k = = = (3 )

i A ×i A × ∆h

Fo r a fle x i b le wa l l p e r me a me te r, s o me co n s i de rati o n has to be ta ke n fo r the a re a A used in the

c a lc u l ati o n s . T h i s c o u ld b e the i n i ti a l a re a o r the c a lc u l ate d a re a at the ti me o f the flo w me a s u re me n ts ,

wh iche ve r i s de e me d mo s t ap p ro p r i ate .

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D ep end i ng on the a r ra n ge me n t o f he ad a nd ta i l s o u rce s fo r fa l l i n g he ad te s t s the co e ffic ie n t o f

p e r me ab i l i t y i s c a lc u l ate d acc o rd i n g to e i the r Formula (4) or (5 ) .

a in × a out l  ∆h 
k= × × ln  t1

(a )
Fa l l i n g he ad ra i s i n g t a i l (4)

in
+a o ut
A × ∆t  ∆h t2 
a in × l  ∆h 
Fa l l i n g he ad co n s ta nt t a i l k= × ln  t1
 (5 )

A × ∆t  ∆h t2 

7.3 Correction for test temperature

The permeability measured in a test performed with the permeant water at temperature, Ttest (° C ) ,

c a n b e c o nve r te d to a c o r re s p o nd i n g p e r me ab i l i t y at a no the r te mp e ratu re , T (° C ) th ro u gh a co r re c tio n

factor α acco rd i n g to Formulae (6 ) and (7 ) .

kT = k test × α (6 )

where

η test
α= (7 )

ηT
and ηT i s the v i s co s i t y fo r wate r i n m P a· s fo r a g i ve n te mp e r atu re , T is from Table 2 .
Table 2 — Dynamic viscosity of water
Temperature T Vi s c o s i t y η
°C m P a· s

10 1,304
15 1,137
20 1,002
25 0,891
30 0,798
NO TE 1 I n te r m e d i a te va l u e s can be e s t i m a te d by i n te r p o l a t i o n . A l te r n a t i ve l y,

t h e d y n a m i c v i s c o s i t y c a n b e c a l c u l a te d u s i n g t h e ap p r o x i m a t i o n :

ηT = 0,024 14 × 10 [ 2 47, 8 / ( T + 133)]

where T i s t h e te s t te m p e r a t u r e (
oC ) i n t h e a b o ve r a n ge .

8 Test report

8.1 Mandatory reporting

The test report shall state that the test was carried out in accordance with this document. It shall
co n ta i n the fo l lo w i n g in fo r m atio n :

a) typ e o f p e r me a me te r u s e d a nd whe the r i t wa s a r i s i n g , fa l l i n g o r c o n s t a n t he ad o r c o n s t a n t flo w te s t;

b) i de n ti fic atio n o f the s p e c i me n te s te d , e . g. b y b o re ho le nu mb e r, s a mp l e nu mb e r a nd s a mp le de p th

a nd a ny o the r re le va n t de t a i l s re qu i re d , e . g. de p th a nd o r ie n tatio n o f s p e c i me n w i th i n a s a mp le ,

me tho d o f s a mp le s e le c tio n i f re le va n t;

c) vi s ua l de s c r i p ti o n o f the s p e c i me n i nclud i n g a ny o b s e r ve d fe atu re s no te d a fte r te s ti n g , fo l lo w i n g

the principles in ISO 14688‑1 ;

d) me tho d o f p re p a rati o n o f the te s t s p e c i me n ;

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e) i n i ti a l d i me n s io n s o f the s p e c i me n ;

f) i n i ti a l wate r c o nte n t (%) a nd a s tate me nt th at it has b e en based on the s p e c i me n tr i m m i n gs i f

ap p ro p r i ate ;

g) fi n a l wate r c o n te nt (%) a nd de g re e o f s atu rati o n at the e nd o f the te s t, i f de te r m i ne d ;

h) i n i ti a l b u l k de n s i t y, i n i ti a l d r y de n s i t y a nd d r y de n s i t y at the ti me o f me a s u re me n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y,
i f ava i l ab le ( M g/m
3) ;

i) ave ra ge co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y;

j) co n s o l id atio n s tre s s le ve l at wh ic h the p e r me ab i l i t y me a s u re me nt wa s ta ke n , i f ap p ro p r i ate ;

k) ave ra ge l ab o rato r y te mp e ratu re (° C ) at wh i ch the te s t wa s p e r fo r me d;

l) s o u rc e o f the p e r me a n t wate r e . g. tap wate r;

m) hyd rau l i c g r ad ie n t ap p l i e d du r i n g the p e r me ab i l i t y te s t;

n) le ve l o f b ack p re s s u re a nd B ‑ va lue , i f u s e d;

o) e qu i p me nt he ad lo s s c o r re c tio n ap p l ie d to the me a s u re me nt s , i f a ny, a nd the a s s o c i ate d flo w rate s ;

p) de v i ati o n s fro m the te s t me tho d .

8.2 Optional reporting

T he fo l lo w i n g add i ti o n a l i n fo r m atio n m ay b e re qu i re d :

a) flo w rate a nd c a lc u l ate d co e ffi c i e n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y fo r e ach o f the te s t re s u l ts th at we re used to

c a lc u l ate the re p o r te d ave ra ge va lue .

b) co e ffic ie n t o f p e r me ab i l i t y c o r re c te d to a s p e c i fi c re fe re nce te mp e ratu re ;

c) p a r ticle de n s i t y used, a nd whe the r it has b e en me a s u re d acco rd i n g to ISO 17892‑3 or has

b e e n a s s u me d ;

d) i n i ti a l a nd fi n a l vo i d rati o ;

e) i n flo w a n d o u t flo w vo lu me s a nd p e r me ab i l i t y c o e ffi c i e nt s p re s e n te d a s a fu nc ti o n o f ti me ;

f) flo w rate s a nd p e r me ab i l i t y c o e ffic ie n ts as a fu nc ti o n o f ti me ;

g) s p e c i me n d i me n s io n s du r i n g the te s t, i f ava i l ab le .

16 © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
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ISO 17892-11:2019

Annex A
(no rm ative )

Calibration, maintenance and checks

A.1 General requirements

All measurement equipment used in this document shall be calibrated periodically. Its performance
s h a l l b e che c ke d whe re re qu i re d at i n te r va l s , a nd i t s h a l l b e o p e rate d i n a c o n tro l le d e nv i ro n me nt, i f so
s p e c i fi e d . T h i s a n ne x de fi ne s the s e re qu i re me n ts fo r th i s me tho d .

If calibration of measurement equipment is carried out by a third party, it shall be carried out by an
acc re d i te d c a l ib ratio n l ab o rato r y. T he ce r ti fic atio n shal l s ho w tr ace ab i l i t y to re co g n i z e d n atio n a l or

international standards of measurement.

W he re c a l i b r ati o n o f te s t me a s u r i n g e qu ip me n t is c a r r ie d o ut i n‑ ho u s e , the l ab o rato r y shal l ho ld

appropriate reference standards or instruments that are used solely for calibration purposes. These
s ho u ld b e c a l i b rate d b y a n ac c re d i te d c a l i b rati o n l ab o rato r y w i th c e r ti fic atio n re qu i re me n ts a s ab o ve .

When not in use, the reference measurement equipment should be retained securely in a suitable
e nvi ro n me n t s e p a rate fro m wo rki n g s ta nd a rd s o r i n s tr u me n ts . Re fe re nce s ta n d a rd s a nd i n s tr u me n ts

shall be o f an acc u rac y at le a s t th at o f the wo rki n g de vi ce so th at the de s i re d acc u rac y o f te s t

me a s u re me n t i s ach i e ve d .

I n‑ ho u s e c a l ib ratio n p ro c e du re s shall be do c u me n te d , shal l only be p er fo r me d by ap p ro ve d p ers on s

a nd re c o rd s o f s uch c a l i b ratio n s , a nd o f p e r fo r m a nc e che cks , s h a l l b e re ta i ne d o n fi le .

N o t w i th s ta n d i n g the re qu i re d c a l ib ratio n or che ck i n te r va l s in th i s a n ne x , whe ne ve r a ny i te m o f

reference equipment or test measurement equipment has been mishandled, repaired, dismantled,
adj u s te d o r o ve rh au le d i t s h a l l b e re c a l ib rate d b e fo re fu r the r use.

A l l c a l ib rate d e qu ip me n t s h a l l b e u s e d o n l y w i th i n the ra n ge fo r wh ich i t h a s b e e n c a l i b rate d .

A.2 Environmental conditions

Te s t s p e c i me n s shal l be p re p a re d in an e nv i ro n me nt wh ic h avo id s s i g n i fic a n t lo s s or ga i n o f soi l

wate r. I f the p re p a r ati o n p ro ce s s is i n te r r up te d the s p e c i me n shall be p ro te c te d fro m c h a n ge s to i ts

water content.

T he a re a in wh ich the te s t is c a r r ie d out shall be fre e fro m s i g n i fic a nt v i b rati o n s a nd me ch a n ic a l

d i s tu rb a nc e . T he ap p a ratu s s h a l l b e p ro te c te d a ga i n s t s u n l i ght, lo c a l s o u rce s o f he at a n d d rau gh ts .

T he te mp e r atu re o f the te s t lo c ati o n s h a l l b e m a i n ta i ne d w i th i n ± 3 ° C du r i n g the te s t a n d s h a l l b e ve r i fie d

b y me a s u re me n t a nd re co rd s ke p t. T he re co rd i n g o f dai ly m i n i mu m a nd m a x i mu m te mp e r atu re s o f the

test location shall be acceptable.

A.3 Equipment
A.3.1 Ovens
T he s e t te mp e ratu re c lo s e to the m id‑ p o i n t o f the u s ab le o ve n s p ace o f an e mp t y o ve n s h a l l b e che c ke d

b y me a n s o fa c a l ib rate d te mp e ratu re me a s u r i n g de v ic e at le a s t o nce a ye a r.

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d 17
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ISO 17892-11:2019

T he te mp e ratu re d i s tr ib u tio n o f an e mp t y o ve n shall be che c ke d be fo re fi r s t u s e a nd a fte r a ny m aj o r

re p a i r o r re p l ace me n t o f he ate r e le me n ts a nd/o r the r mo s tat . I f a ny o f the i nd i vi du a l te mp e ratu re p o i n ts

is fo u n d to b e o u ts i de the s p e c i fi e d ra n ge o f the s e t te mp e ratu re , re me d i a l ac tio n s h a l l b e ta ke n .

A.3.2 Thermometers
Re fe re nce the r mo me te r s co mp l y i n g w i th ISO 3 86 shal l be c a l ib rate d or re p l ac e d at i n te r va l s no t

e xce e d i n g fi ve ye a r s . All o the r l i qu id‑ i n‑ gl a s s the r mo me te r s shall be c a l ib rate d be fo re fi r s t use a nd

s h a l l b e re ‑ c a l ib rate d o r re p l ac e d at i nte r va l s no t e xce e d i n g fi ve ye a r s .

A n ic e p o i n t o r a no the r ap p ro p r i ate s i n gle p o i n t che ck o f wo rki n g the r mo me te r s s h a l l b e c a r r i e d o u t s i x

mo n th s a fte r fi r s t b e i n g b ro u ght i nto u s e , the n a n nu a l l y i n add i tio n to the fi ve ‑ ye a r c a l i b r ati o n i n te r va l

requirement.

I f the r mo co up le s a re u s e d fo r ve r i fyi n g o ve n te mp e r atu re s , the y s h a l l b e c a l i b rate d a ga i n s t a re fe re nce

the r mo co up le , re fe re nce p l ati nu m re s i s ta nc e the r mo me te r or re fe re nce l i qu id‑ i n‑ gl a s s the r mo me te r

be fo re fi r s t u s e a nd the re a fte r at le a s t o nce a ye a r.

A.3.3 Balances
B a l a nc e s shal l be c a l ib rate d o ve r the i r wo rki n g r a n ge , u s i n g c e r ti fi e d re fe re nce we i ghts , at le a s t o nce

a ye a r in the lo c atio n in wh i ch the y a re used. Re fe re nce we i gh ts shall be ap p ro p r i ate to the c ate go r y

o f b a l a nc e b ei ng c a l ib rate d a nd shall h ave a to le ra nce (m a x i mu m p e r m i s s i b le e r ro r) b e t te r th a n the

re s o lu tio n o f the b a l a nce to b e c a l ib rate d . Re fe re nc e we i ght s s h a l l b e c a l ib rate d whe n fi r s t b ro u ght i n to

u s e a nd the re a fte r at le a s t e ve r y t wo ye a r s .

B a l a nc e s s h a l l b e che c ke d o n e ach d ay o f use to c o n fi r m the z e ro p o i n t a n d to c o n fi r m the m a s s o fa te s t

i te m o f kno w n m a s s . T he te s t i te m s ho u ld no t c o r ro de o r o the r w i s e c h a n ge m a s s w i th ti me a nd s ho u ld

h ave a mass w i th i n the ra n ge 50 % to 80 % o f the wo rki n g ra n ge o f the b a l a nce . T he re s u l ts o f the s e

c he cks s h a l l b e re c o rde d . I f the b a l a nc e c a n no t b e z e ro e d o r the m a s s o f the te s t we i gh t i s fo u n d to be

o u ts i de the to le ra nc e s p e c i fie d in 5.6 , the b a l a nce shal l be ta ke n o ut o f s e r vi ce u n ti l re me d i a l ac tio n

is complete.

A.3.4 Permeameter
T he d i me n s io n s o f the p e r me a me te r c e l l s h a l l b e ve r i fie d at le a s t o nce p e r ye a r a s fo l lo ws :

The internal diameter of the permeameter cell shall be measured in at least two perpendicular directions
D) and the cross‑sectional area shall be calculated.
to the ne a re s t 0 , 0 5 m m . T he me a n d i a me te r (

A.3.5 Porous discs

T he p o ro u s d i s c s s h a l l b e re g u l a rl y che c ke d to de te r m i ne whe the r the y h ave b e c o me clo g ge d .

P o ro u s discs m ay be che c ke d fo r clo g g i n g in the fo l lo w i n g way: tap e shall be mo u nte d a long the

p e r i me te r o f the d i s c , s o me wate r i s p l ac e d o n to p o f it a nd a i r i s b lo w n up wa rd s th ro u gh the d i s c . T he

operation shall be repeated with a new, unused porous disc for comparison.

A.3.6 Dimensional measurement devices

T he de vic e s used to me a s u re the s p e c i me n d i me n s io n s a nd de fo r m atio n s du r i n g the te s t shall be

c a l i b rate d a ga i n s t re fe re nc e gau ge b lo c ks o r o the r re fe re nc e de vi ce at le a s t e ve r y ye a r. Re fe re nc e gau ge

b lo c ks a nd o the r re fe re nce de v ic e s s h a l l b e c a l i b rate d at le a s t e ve r y fi ve ye a r s .

A.3.7 Time measuring device

T i m i n g de vi ce s , s uch a s clo cks a nd s to p watc he s , s h a l l b e c a l i b rate d at le a s t o nc e p e r ye a r to a n ac c u r ac y

of ±1 s in a 10‑min period.

18 © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
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ISO 17892-11:2019

A.3.8 Volume change and pressure measuring devices

Vo lu me ch a n ge me a s u re me n t is re qu i re d fo r all p e r me ab i l i t y te s ts . In add i ti o n , p o re p re s s u re a nd

ce l l p re s s u re me a s u r i n g de vi ce s m ay be re qu i re d fo r fle x ib le wa l l p e r me a me te r te s ts . T he fo l lo w i n g
re qu i re me n ts ap p l y to a l l the s e de v ic e s .

T he p e r fo r m a nc e o f e ach de vi ce s h a l l b e ve r i fie d at le a s t o nce a ye a r.

T he re s p o n s e o f the de vi ce shal l be re c o rde d at a m i n i mu m o f 6 va lue s o f i nc re a s i n g me a s u re me n t at

ap p ro x i m ate l y z e ro , 2 0 % , 4 0 % , 6 0 % , 8 0 % a nd 1 0 0 % o f i ts wo rki n g ra n ge . Add i tio n a l te s t p o i n ts w i l l

b e re qu i re d i f the de v ice i s to b e u s e d to ge ne r ate re s u l t s b e lo w 2 0 % o f i ts wo rki n g ra n ge .

Re p e at the me a s u re me n ts o ve r the c a l i b ratio n r a n ge t wo mo re ti me s to g i ve a s e t o f th re e me a s u re me n ts .

P lo t the me a n re c o rde d va lue s a nd add the l i ne o f b e s t fi t, wh i ch m ay no t b e l i ne a r. T he u s e o f the de v ic e

i s acc e p tab le i f all the i n d i vi du a l p o i n ts l i e w i th i n 1 % o f the me a s u re d va lue .

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d 19
BS EN ISO 17892‑11:2019
ISO 17892-11:2019

Bibliography

[1] D I N . I S S M GE ( E d s .) ( 19 9 8 ) . Re c o m me nd ati o n s o f the I S S M GE fo r ge o te ch n i c a l l ab o rato r y te s ti n g

(i n E n gl i s h , G e r m a n a nd F re nch) . B e u th Ve rl a g , B e rl i n .

[2 ] EN 1997‑1:2004, Eurocode 7 — Geotechnical design — Part 1: General rules

[3 ] EN 1997‑2:2007, Eurocode 7 — Geotechnical Design — Part 2: Ground investigation and testing

20 © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
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