ASTM D5093 Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Infiltration Rate Using Double-Ring Infiltrometer with Sealed-Inner Ring (Withdrawn 2024)

ASTM D5093 Introduction

ASTM D5093 also enhanced precision through the application of a sealed inner ring, which meant that infiltration recorded was mainly in the vertical direction, and the boundary effects of nearby soil were less. The test technique offered a conventional strategy of quantifying the rate of water penetrating soils in the field. Infiltration rate becomes an important parameter in water resource planning, irrigation design, agricultural planning, and reporting. These instruments included a pair of infiltrometers that had a larger outer ring and a smaller inner ring, with their objective being the confinement of the vertical water movement and the reduction of the lateral seepage. 

ASTM D5093 Test Method

ASTM D5093 Equipment and Sample Preparation

ASTM D5093 Results and Interpretation

The results are quoted as a rate of infiltration, usually in mm/hr or inches/hr. The higher the value, the more permeable the soil will tend to be, e.g., sand and gravel; the lower the value, the finer-grained the soils (clays and silts). Constant-rate infiltration fluxes are indicative of the saturated soil-profile conductivity. Such factors as soil structure, soil compaction, moisture content, and the existence of impermeable layers are to be taken into consideration during interpretation. Seasonal differences and prior moisture conditions have the potential to greatly affect outcomes, and therefore testing should be repeated in different conditions to thoroughly assess conditions.

ASTM D5093 Related Test Methods

ASTM D3385 is applied to test infiltration of the soils in the field with the use of a two-ring infiltrometer without a sealed ring, and ASTM D5856 grants hydraulic conductivity in porous media using a rigid-wall, compaction-mold permeameter.

ASTM D5093 Applications in Industry 

It was heavily used in the design of irrigation systems, assessing drainage systems, in the landfill cover assessment, in studies of wastewater infiltration, and in environmental site characterization. Civil engineers deployed it in determining soil suitability in the context of infiltration-based stormwater management, whereas agronomists used it in scheduling irrigation and soil-water management. Environmental consultants used the test in hydrogeologic modeling as well as contamination spread projections.

ASTM D5093 Materials Commonly Tested

Some common soils used were sandy loam, silty clay, clay loam, and fine sands. The technique could be used on disturbed and undisturbed surfaces, so long as the use of a sealing ring prevented edge leakage. It did not work quite well in very coarse, gravelly earth because it was hard to provide a water seal.

ASTM D5093 Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Field difficulties arose from the need to maintain a constant waterhead level during windy or hot weather, the potential for leakage at the exterior of the sealed inside ring, and the requirement for a uniform insertion depth without disturbing the soil. The clay soils provided a misleading experience for infiltration rates, as they swelled. In contrast, the sandy soils allowed for quick infiltration, necessitating a quick rate of water replenishment. Correct calibration of water measurement instruments was imperative to prevent systematic errors.

ASTM D5093 Safety and Best Practices

It was recommended that operators take precautions when driving a ring in hard or rocky soil so as not to get injured or damage equipment. Transporting water to isolated locations required careful consideration to prevent spills and ergonomic overload. It was suggested that proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves and boots, should be used to prevent injury from cuts, bites, or contamination by soil or water contaminants.

Importance of ASTM D5093 Test Method

Although this method was dropped in 2024, the technique is still valuable in determining the proper estimation of the vertical infiltration rates in the field, specifically. Its sealed inner-ring geometry helped minimize cross-losses, leading to more precise estimations as compared to the usual open double-ring construction. Such measurements are still crucially important to hydrologic modeling, agricultural planning, and environmental management when soil-water interactions need to be understood.