ASTM D6539-00(2006)e1 - 1.2.2006
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the coefficient of permeability for the flow of air (pneumatic permeability) through partially saturated porous materials.

1.2 This test method may be used with undisturbed or compacted coarse grained soils, silts, or lean cohesive soils that have a low degree of saturation and that have pneumatic permeability between 0.001 square micrometre (1.01 millidarcy) and 100 square micrometre (101 darcy).

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard, unless other units are specifically given. By tradition in U.S. practice, the pneumatic permeability of porous media is reported in units of darcy, although the SI unit for pneumatic permeability is square metre.

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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4525-13

Standard Test Method for Permeability of Rocks by Flowing Air

D5084-24

Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter

D6026-21

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data

D5856-15

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Material Using a Rigid-Wall, Compaction-Mold Permeameter (Withdrawn 2024)

D3740-23

Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction

D2216-19

Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

D3550-01

Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils

E1-14(2025)

Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers

E145-19(2024)

Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens

D4220-95(2000)

Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples

D4767-11(2020)

Standard Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test for Cohesive Soils

D4753-25

Standard Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing

D4564-08

Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sleeve Method

D653-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).

E2251-14(2021)

Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids

D1557-12(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2,700 kN-m/m3))

D698-12(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3))