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ASTM D 8153 : 2022

Current

Current

The latest, up-to-date edition.

Standard Test Method for Determination of Soil Water Contents Using a Dielectric Permittivity Probe

Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF

Language(s)

English

Published date

07-11-2022

US$69.00
Excluding Tax where applicable

Committee
D 18
DocumentType
Test Method
Pages
19
PublisherName
American Society for Testing and Materials
Status
Current

1.1This test method describes the procedures for measuring the water mass per unit volume of soil and soil-aggregate by use of an in situ permittivity probe. Measurements are taken at a depth beneath the surface of the soil determined by the design of the probe.

1.1.1For limitations see Section 6 on Interferences.

1.2The permittivity probe is inserted into a hole drilled or punched into the soil being measured. As its name indicates, the probe measures the dielectric permittivity of the soil into which it is placed. Two electrodes, connected to an oscillating circuit, are mounted a predetermined distance apart. These electrodes act as the plates of a capacitor, with the soil between the plates forming the capacitor dielectric.

1.2.1The probe circuit creates an oscillating electric field in the soil. Changes in the dielectric permittivity of the soil are indicated by changes in the circuit’s operating frequency. Since water has a much higher dielectric constant (80) than the surrounding soil (typically around 4), the water content can be related by a mathematical function to the change in dielectric permittivity, and, consequently, the changes in the circuit’s operating frequency.

1.2.2The construction, deployment, and operating principle of the device described in this test method differ from other methods that measure the dielectric constant, bulk electrical conductivity, complex impedance, or electromagnetic impedance (see Test Methods D6780/D6780M, D7698, and D7830/D7830M) of the soil and relate the results to water mass per unit volume and/or water content.

1.2.3The water content of the soil measured by the permittivity probe is the volumetric water content, expressed as the ratio of the volume of water to the total volume occupied by the soil. This quantity is often converted, and displayed, by the probe in units of mass of water per volume of soil, or water mass per unit volume. This conversion is performed by multiplying the water content (in volume of water per volume of soil) by the density of water.

1.3Water content most prevalent in engineering and construction activities is known as the gravimetric water content, ω, and is the ratio of the mass of the water in pore spaces to the total mass of solids, expressed as a percentage. To determine this quantity, the bulk density of the soil under measurement must also be determined.

1.4Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Reporting the test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.

1.5All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.5.1For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits.

1.5.2The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.6This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM D 8167/D8167M : 2018 : REV A Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
ASTM D 8167/D8167M : 2023 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
ASTM C 231/C231M : 2017 : REV A Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
ASTM D 3740 : 2023 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 1556/D1556M : 2015 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method (Withdrawn 2024)
ASTM D 3740 : 2019 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM C 231/C231M : 2014 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
ASTM D 4718/D4718M : 2015 : R2023 Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
ASTM C 231/C231M : 2024 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
ASTM D 653 : 2024 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM E 691 : 2023 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ASTM D 653 : 2022 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 2937 : 2017 : EDT 2 Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
ASTM E 691 : 2022 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ASTM D 4718/D4718M : 2015 Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
ASTM D 6938 : 2023 Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
ASTM D 653 : 2021 : REV B Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 1556/D1556M : 2024 Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method
ASTM D 2937 : 2024 Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
ASTM D 8167/D8167M : 2023 Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
ASTM D 653 : 2024 : REV A Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 2167 : 2015 Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method (Withdrawn 2024)
ASTM D 6938 : 2017 : REV A : EDT 1 Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
ASTM D 2488 : 2017 : EDT 1 Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures)
ASTM C 231/C231M : 2022 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method

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