Percolation Test

[Geotechnical76]

Hi,
Is there any standard procedure for the percolation test? What is the best practice?
Thanks.

 

[fattdad]

There is a standard proceedure and you should look for it through your local health department. There may be specific criteria pertaining to the hole diameter, depth, depth with respect to the seasonal high water table, soil classification (texture class), pre-soaking (24-hours or so) and data recording. By the way, many local health departments are allowing soil profiles and texture classification correlation in lieu of doing the perc test. I trust that the ultimate goal is to design a drain field. If you are striving to desing an infiltraiton trench or to somehow derive permeability you may be barking up the wrong tree.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

 

[CarlB]

These EPA design manuals discuss percolation testing:

http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625180012/625180012total.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r00008/625r00008totaldocument.pdf

 

[Stego1]

If you're in the UK try BS1377 or BRE 365 for falling head tests and soakaways respectively.