ASTM D6034-20 PDF Download

Standard Practice ASTM D6034-20 provides an analytical procedure for determining the efficiency of a production well in a confined aquifer through a constant rate pumping test. It clarifies that well efficiency cannot be determined from a step-drawdown test, which is commonly used to determine percentage of head loss associated with laminar flow. The practice assumes certain conditions, such as a control well discharging at a constant rate, an infinitesimal diameter for the control well, and data obtained from the control well and potentially observation wells. It also assumes a confined, homogeneous, and extensive aquifer, which may be anisotropic with horizontal and vertical directions of maximum and minimum hydraulic conductivity, respectively. The discharge from the well is derived exclusively from storage in the aquifer.

The practice includes calculation requirements, particularly for partially penetrating wells, which may require computationally intensive evaluations using mathematical software. It is noted that the quality of the results produced by this standard depends on the competence of the personnel performing the test and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. The standard recommends using commercially available software for calculating, graphing, plotting, and analyzing the data. It also emphasizes the importance of ensuring the correctness of the formulas, graphs, plots, and analyses provided by the software.

The standard's scope clarifies that it is an analytical procedure used in conjunction with the field procedure outlined in Test Method ASTM D4050. It highlights the limitations of the technique, which arise from the simplifying assumptions made in the practice and the correspondence between the field situation and those assumptions. Additionally, the practice provides guidelines for significant digits and rounding of observed and calculated values, referring to the industry standard established in Practice ASTM D6026. It notes that the procedures used for data collection, recording, and calculation in this standard are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained.

The practice concludes by stating that it offers instructions for specific operations and should be used alongside professional judgment and consideration of the project's unique aspects. It clarifies that the ASTM standard does not replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a professional service must be judged. The word "Standard" in the title indicates that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.