Planning irrigation schedules and designing drainage systems to prevent waterlogging.
. Managed by the ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock , this specific 2018 revision provides precise field testing protocols utilizing a double-ring infiltrometer apparatus.
A critical note in the standard (section 5.4) states that tests performed at the same site are likely to produce varying results due to many factors (e.g., soil structure, layering, temperature). Therefore, the results of this test are primarily intended for comparative analysis under similar conditions rather than for deriving an absolute permeability value.
When water is poured into a single ring driven into the ground, it tends to lateralize—diverging sideways as it moves downward due to capillary action and gravity. This lateral flow artificially inflates the measured infiltration rate. The double-ring infiltrometer solves this issue: astm d338518 pdf
is the definitive international standard for field-measuring the infiltration rate of liquids into soils using a double-ring infiltrometer . Managed under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock , this active standard spans 8 pages and details the required engineering equipment, test setups, and formulaic calculations necessary to evaluate site drainage capacity. Civil engineers, hydrogeologists, and environmental scientists use the official ASTM D3385-18 Document to inform storm-water management design, agricultural irrigation layouts, and landfill liner efficiency. 1. What is the Core Purpose of ASTM D3385-18?
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This article provides a comprehensive overview of the ASTM D3385-18 standard, breaking down its principles, necessary equipment, step-by-step procedures, and applications. What is ASTM D3385-18? A critical note in the standard (section 5
Place a driving cap over the outer ring and drive it into the ground to a depth of roughly 150 mm (6 inches). Ensure it is driven straight down without rocking, as rocking creates air gaps along the sides of the ring (causing side-wall leakage).
Geotextiles are used in a wide array of applications, from road construction and coastal protection to landfill engineering and hydraulic structures. Their primary function is to improve the stability and performance of soil structures by providing filtration, separation, reinforcement, and protection. Given their critical role, it's essential to understand and accurately predict their behavior under various conditions, including hydraulic flow and soil interaction.
Depending on your project, other standards may be more appropriate: Given their critical role
: In some cases, pre-soaking the soil is recommended to reach saturation before formal measurement begins. ASTM International 2. Ring Installation
While ASTM D3385-18 is highly reliable, field technicians must be aware of its limitations:
The is the core apparatus. It consists of two concentric metal rings driven into the soil. Water is maintained at a constant level in both rings. The inner ring measures the vertical infiltration rate, while the outer ring creates a buffer zone to minimize lateral spread of water, ensuring that flow in the inner ring is predominantly one-dimensional (vertical).