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Turf Diagnostics & Design performs infiltration rate testing for a diverse group of clients and situations. Some of our clients refer to this test as the perc test, some call it K-sat (saturated hydraulic conductivity), others call it permeability. The terminology varies, and so do the techniques for performing the tests. Interestingly, the testing procedure usually isn’t dependent on the terminology. It’s dependent upon the end use for the data. Laboratory infiltration rate testing procedures typically require the test sample to be compacted, saturated, then flooded with water until a stable rate of effluent flows from the sample. The volume of effluent is then measured over a specified time period. Infiltration rates are determined based on test data involving water going into the sample, amount of sample tested, and volume of water coming out of the sample. The test procedures differ in order to correctly represent how the material will be used in the field. Procedural differences required by the various methods can have a pretty big affect on infiltration rate results. Green Roof Testing Gravel drainage media is usually tested according to ASTM E2396, and growing media according to ASTM E2399. Prior to determination of infiltration rate, the samples are compacted by either shaking the sample (ASTM E2396) or from a minimal number of blows from a proctor hammer (ASTM E2399). Both of these techniques result in a minimally compacted condition similar to what would be expected on a green roof. Golf Greens & Natural Sports Turf Most infiltration rate testing for golf greens or sports field is required to be performed by procedures based on the USGA physical evaluation method (ASTM F1815). This test procedure requires adjustment of moisture content prior to compaction. Compaction is obtained by multiple blows from the compaction rammer. This yields a sample that has been heavily compacted, which is intended to emulate a green or field that has been compacted by field maintenance equipment.
Synthetic Turf Sports Fields Infiltration rate testing on drainage stone is performed by procedures similar to the USGA method. A proctor test (maximum compaction determination) is sometimes performed prior to the infiltration rate test. Infiltration rates are then performed on samples compacted to the level required for the project (typically 90 to 95% of maximum). On-Site Infiltration Rate Testing On-site testing is generally performed with a double ring infiltrometer. The rings are pounded into the surface of the soil or aggregate, and water is supplied to the rings. The rate which water flows into the soil/subgrade is used to determine the infiltration rate. Summary Different infiltration rate test methods can provide varying results. Methods that require higher amounts of compaction result in lower infiltration rates for most soils and growing media. Infiltration rate results for gravels and drainage media can also vary because of test methods differences, but may show lesser compaction related variances. In general, soils and growing media will have lower infiltration rates when tested by the USGA procedure than the green roof test procedure. Please contact Turf Diagnostics & Design when you are in need of testing or consulting related to growing media, soils, aggregates, turf, and landscapes. Whether you’re working on a synthetic turf field, golf course, green roof, or other landscape, we have services that can help. We look forward to hearing from you!
We want to thank all of our customers for using our services. In these difficult times, we feel very fortunate to have work. We wish all of you the best of luck with your businesses and look forward to more prosperous times. We try to anticipate our customer needs and develop or incorporate new testing procedures that we believe will meet those needs. We are also working to refine and improve current test procedures. We have expanded our test offerings for the green roof and synthetic sports field industries. We also have some refined/new offerings for the golf course industry. Please contact us if you want to know more about any of our current services, or if you have any unique or special testing need that you would like for us to perform. Thanks to all who completed our recent customer survey. We appreciate the feedback. We would like to encourage you to provide us with comments and feedback at any time.
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