Designation: D 5912 – 96 (Reapproved 2004)

Standard Test Method for

(Analytical Procedure) Determining Hydraulic Conductivity
of an Unconfined Aquifer by Overdamped Well Response to
Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5912; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hydraulic safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conductivity from the measurement of inertial force free responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(overdamped) response of a well-aquifer system to a sudden priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
change in water level in a well. Inertial force free response of bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the water level in a well to a sudden change in water level is 2. Referenced Documents
characterized by recovery to initial water level in an approxi-
mate exponential manner with negligible inertial effects. 2.1 ASTM Standards: 3
1.2 The analytical procedure in this test method is used in D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
conjunction with the field procedure in Test Method D 4044 for Fluids
collection of test data. D 4043 Guide for Selection of Aquifer-Test Methods in
1.3 Limitations—Slug tests are considered to provide an Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
estimate of hydraulic conductivity. The determination of stor- D 4044 Test Method (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
age coefficient is not possible with this test method. Because Change in Head (Slug Test) for Determining Hydraulic
the volume of aquifer material tested is small, the values Properties of Aquifers
obtained are representative of materials very near the open D 4104 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determin-
portion of the control well. ing Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by
Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
NOTE 1—Slug tests are usually considered to provide estimates of the Head (Slug Test)
lower limit of the actual hydraulic conductivity of an aquifer because the
test results are so heavily influenced by well efficiency and borehole skin 3. Terminology
effects near the open portion of the well. The portion of the aquifer that is
tested by the slug test is limited to an area near the open portion of the well 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
where the aquifer materials may have been altered during well installation, method, see Terminology D 653.
and therefore may significantly effect the test results. In some cases the 3.2 Symbols:Symbols and Dimensions:
data may be misinterpreted and result in a higher estimate of hydraulic 3.2.1 A [nd]—coefficient that is a function of L/rw and is
conductivity. This is due to the reliance on early time data that is reflective determined graphically.
of the hydraulic conductivity of the filter pack surrounding the well. This
3.2.2 B [nd]—coefficient that is a function of L/rw and is
effect was discussed by Bouwer.2 In addition, because of the reliance on
early time data, in aquifers with medium to high hydraulic conductivity, determined graphically.
the early time portion of the curve that is useful for this data analyses is 3.2.3 C [nd]—coefficient that is a function of L/rw and is
too short (for example, <10 s) for accurate measurement; therefore, the determined graphically.
test results begin to greatly underestimate the true hydraulic conductivity. 3.2.4 D [L]—aquifer thickness.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.2.5 H [L]—distance between static water level and the
standard. base of open interval of the well.
3.2.6 L [L]—length of well open to aquifer.
3.2.7 rc [L]—inside diameter of the portion of the well
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and casing in which the water level changes.
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published December 2004. Originally
3
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D 5912–96e1. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
Bouwer, H., and Rice, R. C., “A Slug Test for Determining Hydraulic contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Conductivity of Unconfined Aquifers with Completely or Partially Penetrating Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Wells,” Water Resources Research, Vol 12, No. 3, 1976, pp. 423–428. the ASTM website.

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 D 5912 – 96 (2004)
3.2.8 Re[L]—effective radius, determined empirically based 5.1.4 The aquifer is homogeneous and isotropic.
on the geometry of the well, over which y is dissipated. 5.2 Implications of Assumptions:
3.2.9 rw[L]—radial distance from well center to original 5.2.1 The mathematical equations applied ignore inertial
undisturbed aquifer. effects and assume that the water level returns to the static level
3.2.10 tf[T]—time at end point of straight-line portion of in an approximate exponential manner.
graph. 5.2.2 The geometric configuration of the well and aquifer
3.2.11 t0[T]—time at beginning of straight-line portion of are shown in Fig. 1, that is after Fig. 1 of Bouwer and Rice.2
graph. 5.2.3 For filter-packed wells, Eq 1 applies to cases in which
3.2.12 yf[L]—head difference at end point of straight-line the filter pack remains saturated. If some of the filter pack is
portion of graph. dewatered during testing, rc 2 should be replaced by the
3.2.13 y0[L]—head difference at beginning of straight-line following:
portion of graph. rc ~corrected! 5 [~1 2 n!r a 2 1 nrw2#0.5 (4)
4. Summary of Test Method where:
4.1 This test method describes the analytical procedure for n = short-term specific yield of the filter pack,
analyzing data collected following an instantaneous change in ra = uncorrected well casing radius, and
head (slug) test in an overdamped well. The field procedures in rw = borehole radius.
conducting a slug test are given in Test Method D 4044. The NOTE 6—Short term refers to the duration of the slug test.
analytical procedure consists of analyzing the recovery of
water level in the well following the change in water level 6. Procedure
induced in the well. 6.1 The overall procedure consists of conducting the slug
4.2 Solution—The solution given by Bouwer and Rice2 test field procedure (see Test Method D 4044) and analysis of
follows: the field data that is addressed in this test method.
rc2 ln~R e/rw! 1 y0 6.2 The water level data are corrected so that the difference
K5 2L ln (1) between the original static water level and the water level
~tf 2 t0 yf
where: during the test is known. This difference in water level at time
if D > H “ t” is denoted as “yt”.
6.3 The dimensionless coefficients of A, B, and C are
ln~Re/rw! 5 F 1.1
1
ln~H/rw! A 1 B ln[~D 2 H!/rw G
L/r w21 (2) determined graphically based on their relationship with L/rw.
An example of the curves relating A, B, and C to L/rw is given
if D = H in Fig. 2, that is after Fig. 3 of Bouwer and Rice.2

ln Re/rw 5 F 1.1
1
C
ln~H/rw! L/rw G
21
(3)

NOTE 2—Other analytical solutions are given by Hvorslev4 and Cooper

et al;5,6 however, they may differ in their assumptions and applicability.
NOTE 3—Bouwer2 provided discussion of various applications and
observations of the procedure described in this test method.
NOTE 4—Test Method D 4104 describes the analytical solution follow-
ing Cooper et al.5
NOTE 5—The use of the symbol K for the term hydraulic conductivity
is the predominant usage in ground-water literature by hydrogeologists,
whereas, the symbol k is commonly used for this term in soil and rock
mechanics and soil science.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 Assumptions of Solution:
5.1.1 Drawdown (or mounding) of the water table around
the well is negligible.
5.1.2 Flow above the water table can be ignored.
5.1.3 Head losses as the water enters or leaves the well are
negligible.

4
Hvorslev, M. J., “Time Lag and Soil Permeability in Ground-Water Observa-
tions,” Waterways Experiment Station, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Bulletin No.
36, 1951.
5
Cooper, H. H., Jr., Bredehoeft, J. D., and Papadopulos, I. S., “Response of a
Finite-Diameter Well to an Instantaneous Change in Water,” Water Resources NOTE 1—See Fig. 1 of Footnote 2.
Research, Vol 3, No. 1, 1967, pp. 263–269. FIG. 1 Geometry and Symbols of a Partially Penetrating, Partially
6
Bouwer, H., “The Bouwer-Rice Slug Test—An Update,” Ground Water, Vol 27, Perforated Well in Unconfined Aquifer with Gravel Pack or
No. 3, 1989, pp. 304–309. Developed Zone Around Perforated Section

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 D 5912 – 96 (2004)
TABLE 1 Sample Slug Test DataAB

NOTE 1—A and B are not used since D = H.

NOTE 2—Endpoint values are highlighted.
Elapsed Time, min Head Difference, m
0.0034 12.86
0.0067 12.71
0.0100 12.40
0.0134 12.13
0.0167 11.96
0.0334 10.94
0.0500 10.15
0.0667 9.45
0.0834 8.80
0.1000 8.16
0.1167 7.05
0.1334 6.54
0.1500 6.10
0.1667 5.64
0.1834 5.21
0.2000 4.85
NOTE 1—See Fig. 3 of Footnote 2. 0.2167 4.51
FIG. 2 Curves Relating Coefficients A, B, and C to L/rw 0.2334 4.14
0.2500 3.88
0.2667 3.59
0.2834 3.35
0.3000 3.06
0.3167 2.12
0.4001 1.45
0.4834 0.97
0.5667 0.72
0.6501 0.54
0.7334 0.37
0.8167 0.31
0.9001 0.27
1.0667 0.23
1.1501 0.22
1.2334 0.20
A
Well configuration data, m: Rc = 0.0833, Rw = 0.1615, D = 41.5, L = 8, and
H = 41.5.
B
Coefficients (dimensionless): A = n/a, B = n/a, and C = 2.624.

8.1.1 Introduction—The introductory section is intended to

present the scope and purpose of the slug test method for
determining hydraulic conductivity. Summarize the field hy-
drogeologic conditions and field equipment and instrumenta-
FIG. 3 Sample Plot of Slug Test Data
tion including the construction of the control well, and the
method of measurement and of effecting a change in head.
Discuss the rationale for selecting the method used (see Guide
7. Calculation D 4043).
7.1 Determine ln ( Re/rw) using Eq 2 or Eq 3, as appropriate. 8.1.2 Hydrogeologic Setting—Review information avail-
7.2 Plot at a semilogarithmic scale the relationship of “y” on able on the hydrogeology of the site; interpret and describe the
the log scale versus elapsed time on the arithmetic scale. hydrogeology of the site as it pertains to the method selected
7.3 Determine the straight-line portion of the graph. for selected for conducting and analyzing an aquifer test.
7.4 Determine the end point values of the straight-line Compare hydrogeologic characteristics of the site as it con-
portion of the graph and substitute along with value for ln forms and differs from the assumptions made in the solution to
(Re/rw) determined in 7.1, into Eq 1. the aquifer test method.
8.1.3 Equipment—Report the field installation and equip-
NOTE 7—An example of the plot of this test method is given in Fig. 3.
The data used to prepare the plot is presented in Table 1. Table 1 also ment for the aquifer test. Include in the report, well construc-
presents the well configuration data and the corresponding values of A, B, tion information, diameter, depth, and open interval to the
and C. aquifer, and location of control well. Include a list of measur-
ing devices used during the test; the manufacturer’s name,
8. Report model number, and basic specifications for each major item;
8.1 Prepare a report including the information described in and the name and date of the last calibration, if applicable.
this section. The final report of the analytical procedure will 8.1.4 Test Procedures—Report the steps taken in conduct-
include information from the report on the test method selec- ing the pretest and test phases. Include the frequency of head
tion (see Guide D 4043) and the field testing procedure (see measurements made in the control well and other environmen-
Test Method D 4044). tal data recorded before and during the test procedure.

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 D 5912 – 96 (2004)
8.1.5 Presentation and Interpretation of Test Results: 9. Precision and Bias
8.1.5.1 Data—Present tables of data collected during the
9.1 It is not practical to specify the precision of this test
test.
method because the response of aquifer systems during aquifer
8.1.5.2 Data Plots—Present data plots used in analysis of
tests is dependent on ambient stresses. No statement can be
the data.
made about the bias because no true reference values exist.
8.1.5.3 Show calculation of hydraulic conductivity.
8.1.5.4 Evaluate the overall quality of the test on the basis of
10. Keywords
the adequacy of instrumentation and observations of stress and
response and the conformance of the hydrogeologic conditions 10.1 aquifers; aquifer tests; control wells; ground water;
and the performance of the test to the assumptions (see 5.1). hydraulic conductivity; slug test

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