ASTM D6565-00(2005)
Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Method

Standard No.

ASTM D6565-00(2005)

Release Date

2000

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Withdraw 2014-07

Latest

ASTM D6565-00(2005)

Scope

The determination of the water-content, or moisture content, of soil is one of the fundamental needs in the soil physics and hydrology disciplines. The need arises from requirements for defining the optimal time for irrigation, the infiltration rate, the soil-moisture flux, contaminant transport rates, and evaluating the potential for leakage from a waste site or a surface or subsurface barrier.

The TDR application covered in this test method is that used for point measurements of moisture content in soil. The application is either through manual insertion into the soil or by burying a probe in the subsurface to acquire moisture content data at a specific location. In addition, core samples may be tested with TDR at a drill site to acquire real-time soil moisture data.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of water content (or moisture content) in soil by the use of the electromagnetic technique called Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR).

1.2 This test method was written to detail the procedure for conventional TDR measurements of soil. Other TDR applications exist for the purpose of quantifying water content in soil and are not covered here, such as flat probe technologies and wetting front advance methods.

1.3 Commercial TDR applications exist which automate the TDR methodology and are not detailed in this test method. It is likely that overlap exists in the automated commercial systems versus this applied method, and the user is encouraged to adhere to this test method when applicable.

1.4 This test method is one of a series on vadose zone characterization methods. Other standards have been prepared on vadose zone characterization techniques.

1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

ASTM D6565-00(2005) Referenced Document

• ASTM D1452 Standard Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by Auger Borings
• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D4643 Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating
• ASTM D4700 Standard Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
• ASTM D4944 Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Tester Method
• ASTM D5220 Standard Test Method for Water Content of Soil and Rock In-Place by the Neutron Depth Probe Method
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

ASTM D6565-00(2005) history

• 2000 ASTM D6565-00(2005) Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Method
• 2000 ASTM D6565-00 Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Method