ASTM D8153-22
Standard Test Method for Determination of Soil Water Contents Using a Dielectric Permittivity Probe

Standard No.

ASTM D8153-22

Release Date

2022

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D8153-22

Scope

1.1 This 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. 1.1.1 For limitations see Section 6 on Interferences. 1.2 The 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. 1.2.1 The 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. 1.2.2 The 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. 1.2.3 The 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. 1.3 Water 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. 1.4 Units—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. 1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026. 1.5.1 For 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. 1.5.2 The 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. 1.6 This 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. 1.7 This 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. 1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction Control Tests. Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published July 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ D8153-22. Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This 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. 1 2. Referenced Documents

ASTM D8153-22 Referenced Document

• ASTM C231/C231M Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method*， 2024-01-01 Update
• ASTM D1556/D1556M Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method*， 2024-04-20 Update
• ASTM D2167 Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D2487 Standard Test Method for Classification Of Soils For Engineering Purposes
• ASTM D2488 Recommended Practice for Description Of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)
• ASTM D2937 Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Soil Density by the Pushing Cylinder Method*， 2024-04-20 Update
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D4718/D4718M Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles*， 2023-08-01 Update
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D6780/D6780M Standard Test Methods for Water Content and Density of Soil In situ by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
• ASTM D6938 Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)*， 2023-05-17 Update
• ASTM D7698 Standard Test Method for In-Place Estimation of Density and Water Content of Soil and Aggregate by Correlation with Complex Impedance Method
• ASTM D7830/D7830M Standard Test Method for In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge
• ASTM D8167/D8167M Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)*， 2023-04-01 Update
• ASTM E177 Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

ASTM D8153-22 history

• 2022 ASTM D8153-22 Standard Test Method for Determination of Soil Water Contents Using a Dielectric Permittivity Probe