Designation: D5785 – 95 (Reapproved 2006)

Standard Test Method for

(Analytical Procedure) for Determining Transmissivity of
Confined Nonleaky Aquifers by Underdamped Well
Response to Instantaneous Change in Head (Slug Test)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5785; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope presented by van der Kamp (1) matches the solution of Kipp
1.1 This test method covers determination of transmissivity (2) when the damping parameter values are less than about 0.2
from the measurement of the damped oscillation about the and time greater than that of the first peak of the oscillation (2).
equilibrium water level of a well-aquifer system to a sudden 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
change of water level in a well. Underdamped response of safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
water level in a well to a sudden change in water level is responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
characterized by oscillatory fluctuation about the static water priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
level with a decrease in the magnitude of fluctuation and bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
recovery to initial water level. Underdamped response may 2. Referenced Documents
occur in wells tapping highly transmissive confined aquifers
and in deep wells having long water columns. 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
1.2 This analytical procedure is used in conjunction with the D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
field procedure Test Method D4044 for collection of test data. Fluids
1.3 Limitations—Slug tests are considered to provide an D4043 Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in
estimate of transmissivity of a confined aquifer. This test Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
method requires that the storage coefficient be known. As- D4044 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
sumptions of this test method prescribe a fully penetrating well Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
(a well open through the full thickness of the aquifer), but the Properties of Aquifers
slug test method is commonly conducted using a partially 3. Terminology
penetrating well. Such a practice may be acceptable for
application under conditions in which the aquifer is stratified 3.1 Definitions:
and horizontal hydraulic conductivity is much greater than 3.1.1 aquifer, confined—an aquifer bounded above and
vertical hydraulic conductivity. In such a case the test would be below by confining beds and in which the static head is above
considered to be representative of the average hydraulic the top of the aquifer.
conductivity of the portion of the aquifer adjacent to the open 3.1.2 confining bed—a hydrogeologic unit of less perme-
interval of the well. The method assumes laminar flow and is able material bounding one or more aquifers.
applicable for a slug test in which the initial water-level 3.1.3 control well—well by which the aquifer is stressed, for
displacement is less than 0.1 or 0.2 of the length of the static example, by pumping, injection, or change in head.
water column. 3.1.4 head, static—the height above a standard datum of the
1.4 This test method of analysis presented here is derived by surface of a column of water (or other liquid) that can be
van der Kamp (1)2 based on an approximation of the under- supported by the static pressure at a given point.
damped response to that of an exponentially damped sinusoid. 3.1.5 observation well—a well open to all or part of an
A more rigorous analysis of the response of wells to a sudden aquifer.
change in water level by Kipp (2) indicates that the method 3.1.6 overdamped well response—characterized by the wa-
ter level returning to the static level in an approximately
exponential manner following a sudden change in water level.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and (See for comparison underdamped well response.)
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
3
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D5785 – 95 (2000). For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/D5785-95R06. contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
end of the text. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D5785 – 95 (2006)
3.1.7 slug—a volume of water or solid object used to induce where:
a sudden change of head in a well. h = hydraulic head,
3.1.8 storage coeffıcient—the volume of water an aquifer T = aquifer transmissivity, and
releases from or takes into storage per unit surface area of the S = storage coefficient.
aquifer per unit change in head. For a confined aquifer, the 4.2.1 The initial condition is at t = 0 and h = ho and the
storage coefficient is equal to the product of specific storage outer boundary condition is as r → ` and h → h o.
and aquifer thickness. For an unconfined aquifer, the storage 4.3 The flow rate balance on the well bore relates the
coefficient is approximately equal to the specific yield. displacement of the water level in the well-riser to the flow into
3.1.9 transmissivity—the volume of water at the existing the well:
kinematic viscosity that will move in a unit time under a unit
hydraulic gradient through a unit width of the aquifer.
dw ]h
prc2 dt 5 2prsT ]r U
r5rs
(2)
3.1.10 underdamped well response—response characterized
by the water level oscillating about the static water level where:
following a sudden change in water level (See for comparison rc = radius of the well casing, and
overdamped well response.) w = displacement of the water level in the well from its
3.1.11 For definitions of other terms used in this test initial position.
method, see Terminology D653. 4.3.1 The third equation describing the system, relating
3.2 Symbols and Dimensions: hsand w, comes from a momentum balance of Bird et al (4) as
3.2.1 T—transmissivity [L 2T−1]. referenced in Kipp (2).
3.2.2 S—storage coefficient [nd]. d
3.2.3 L—effective length of water column, equal to Lc + dt * 0
–m pr2s pvdz 5 [– pv22 1 p1 – p2 – pgm]prs2 (3)
( r2c /r2s ) (m/2).
3.2.3.1 Discussion—This expression for the effective length where:
is given by Kipp (2). The expression for the effective length of v = velocity in the well screen interval,
the water column from Cooper et al (3) is given as Lc + 3/8Ls m = aquifer thickness,
and assumes that the well screen and well casing have the same p = pressure,
r = fluid density,
diameter.
g = gravitational acceleration, and
3.2.4 Lc—length of water column within casing [L]. rs = well screen radius. Well and aquifer geometry are
3.2.5 Ls—length of water column within well screen [L]. shown in Fig. 1.
3.2.6 g—acceleration of gravity [LT−2].
Atmospheric pressure is taken as zero.
3.2.7 h—hydraulic head in the aquifer [L].
3.2.8 ho—initial hydraulic head in the aquifer [L].
5. Solution
3.2.9 hs—hydraulic head in the well screen [L].
3.2.10 rc—radius of well casing [L]. 5.1 The method of van der Kamp (1) assumes the water
3.2.11 rs—radius of well screen [L]. level response to a sudden change for the underdamped case,
3.2.12 t—time [T]. except near critical damping conditions, can be approximately
3.2.13 w—water level displacement from the initial static described as an exponentially damped cyclic fluctuation that
level [L]. decays exponentially. The water-level fluctuation would then
3.2.14 wo—initial water level displacement [L]. be given by:
3.2.15 g—damping constant [T−1]. w~t! 5 woe–gt cos wt (4)
3.2.16 t—wavelength [T].
5.1.1 The following solution is given by van der Kamp (1).
3.2.17 v—angular frequency [T−1].
3.2.18 m—aquifer thickness, [L].
–rc2 ~g/L! 1/2 1n[0.79rs2~S/T!~g/L! 1/2
d5 8T (5)
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method describes the analytical procedure for that may be written as:
analyzing data collected during an instantaneous head (slug) T 5 b 1 a 1nT (6)
test using a well in which the response is underdamped. The
where:
field procedures in conducting a slug test are given in Test
Method D4044. The analytical procedure consists of analyzing b 5 a 1n[0.79 rs2S~g/L!1/2 (7)
the response of water level in the well following the change in
water level induced in the well. rc2 ~g/L!1/2
4.2 Theory—The equations that govern the response of well a5 8d (8)
to an instantaneous change in head are treated at length by
Kipp (2). The flow in the aquifer is governed by the following d 5 g/~g/L!1/2 (9)
equation for cylindrical flow:
and
S dh 1 d
S Ddh
T dt 5 r dr r dr (1) L 5 g/~v2 1 g2! (10)

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 D5785 – 95 (2006)
6.2.5 The system response is an exponentially decaying
sinusoidal function.
7. Procedure
7.1 The overall procedure consists of:
7.1.1 Conducting the slug test field procedure (see Test
Method D4044), and
7.1.2 Analyzing the field data, that is addressed in this test
method.
NOTE 2—The initial displacement of water level should not exceed 0.1
or 0.2 of the length of the static water column in the well, because of
considerations for calculating Lc. Practically, the displacement should be
small, a few times larger than the well radius, to minimize frictional
losses. The measurement of displacement should be within 1 % of the
initial water-level displacement. The water-level displacement needs to be
calculated independently for comparison to the observed initial displace-
ment.

8. Calculation and Interpretation of Test Data

8.1 Plot the water-level response in the well to the sudden
change in head, as in Fig. 2.
8.2 Calculate the angular frequency, v:
v 5 2p/t (11)
where:
t = t1 − t2, and t1 and t2 are times of successive maxima or
minima of the oscillatory wave.
8.3 Calculate the damping factor, g:
g 5 1n[w~t1!/w~t2!#/t 2 – t1 (12)
where:
w(t1) and w(t2) are the water-level displacements at times t1 and
t2, respectively.
FIG. 1 Well and Aquifer Geometry
8.4 Determine transmissivity, T,
T 5 b 1 a 1nT (13)
NOTE 1—Other analytical solutions are proposed by Kipp (2), Krauss where:
(5), Uffink (6) and Kabala, Pinder, and Milly (7).
a 5 [rc2 ~g/L!1/2#/8d (14)
6. Significance and Use
6.1 The assumptions of the physical system are given as d 5 g/~g/L!1/2 (15)
follows:
6.1.1 The aquifer is of uniform thickness and confined by L 5 g/~v2 1 g2! (16)
impermeable beds above and below. and:
6.1.2 The aquifer is of constant homogeneous porosity and
b 5 –a 1n[0] (17)
matrix compressibility and of homogeneous and isotropic
hydraulic conductivity. 8.4.1 Solve for transmissivity iteratively using an initial
6.1.3 The origin of the cylindrical coordinate system is estimate value for transmissivity, T, and a known or estimated
taken to be on the well-bore axis at the top of the aquifer. value of storage coefficient, S.
6.1.4 The aquifer is fully screened. 8.5 Check the results.
6.2 The assumptions made in defining the momentum bal- 8.5.1 Compare the effective length of the water column, L,
ance are as follows: calculated by the following two relationships:
6.2.1 The average water velocity in the well is approxi- L 5 g/~v2 1 g2! (18)
mately constant over the well-bore section.
and:
6.2.2 Flow is laminar and frictional head losses from flow
across the well screen are negligible. L 5 Lc 1 ~rc2/rs2!m/2 (19)
6.2.3 Flow through the well screen is uniformly distributed The values of L should agree within 20 %.
over the entire aquifer thickness. 8.5.2 Check to see that the value of a << 0.1, where:
6.2.4 Change in momentum from the water velocity chang-
ing from radial flow through the screen to vertical flow in the a 5 0.89~S/T!1/2 ~v2 1 g2!1/4 rs , 0.1 (20)
well are negligible. 8.5.3 Check to see that the value of d << 0.7, where:

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 D5785 – 95 (2006)

FIG. 2 Underdamped Response of Water Level to a Sudden Change in Head

d 5 g/~g/L! 1/2 (21)

8.5.4 Example—The following data are taken from the T1 = 0.5541 + (0.03755)1n (0.5541) = 0.5319 ft2/s
underdamped response to a slug test shown in Fig. 2: T2 = 0.5541 + (0.03755)1n (0.5319) = 0.5304 ft2/s
T = 0.5304 ft2/s * 86 400 s/day = 45 826 ft2/day
Check the results:
w(t1) = –1.0 ft
w(t2) = –0.5 ft
t1 = 4.9 s L = g/(v2 + g 2) = 32/(0.2775) = 115.3 ft
t2 = 16.9 s L = Lc + ( r2c /r2s !m/2 5 95 1 27.5 5
rc = 0.25 ft 122.5
rs = 0.25 ft 122.5 – 115.3 = 7.2, 7.2/115.3 = 6.2 < 20 %
Lc = 95 ft a = 0.89(S/T)1/2 (v2 + g 2)1/4 rs < 0.1
Ls = 55 ft = 0.89 (0.005318)(0.7258) 0.25 = 0.000859
t = t 2 – t1 = 16.9 – 4.9 = 12 s < 0.1
v = 2p/t = 2* 3.1416/12.0 = 0.5236 s–1 d = 0.1096 < 0.7
g = 1n (w(t1)/w (t2))/t = 1n (–1.0/–0.5)/12 =
0.6931/12 = 0.05776 s–1 9. Report
T = b + a 1nT 9.1 Report the following information described as follows.
(g/L)1/2 = (v2 + g2)1/2 = ((0.5236)2+ (0.05776)2)1/2 =
The final report of the analytical procedure will include
((0.2742) + (0.0033362))1/2= (0.2775)1/2 =
information from the report on test method selection, Guide
0.5268
D4043, and the field testing procedure, Test Method D4044.
d = g(g/L)1/2 = 0.05776/0.5268 = 0.1096
a = ( r2c (g/L)1/2)/8d = (0.25)2(0.5268)/8(0.1096) = 9.1.1 Introduction—The introductory section is intended to
0.03755 ft 2/s present the scope and purpose of the slug test method for
determining transmissivity and storativity. Summarize the field
Assume S = 1.5 3 10 −5
hydrogeologic conditions, the field equipment and instrumen-
tation including the construction of the control well, the
b = a 1n (0.79 r2s S ~g/L!1/2! method of measurement of head, and the method of effecting
= (–0.03755)1n (0.79(0.25)2 (0.000015)(0.5268) = the change in head. Discuss the rationale for selecting this test
0.5541 ft 2/s method.
T1 = b + a 1nT 0 9.1.2 Hydrogeologic Setting—Review information avail-
Assume T0 > b, able on the hydrogeology of the site; interpret and describe the

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 D5785 – 95 (2006)
hydrogeology of the site as it pertains to the method selected 9.1.5 Presentation and Interpretation of Test Results:
for conducting and analyzing an aquifer test. Compare hydro- 9.1.5.1 Data—Present tables of data collected during the
geologic characteristics of the site as it conforms and differs test.
from assumptions made in the solution to the aquifer test 9.1.5.2 Data Plots—Present data plots used in analysis of
method. the data.
9.1.3 Equipment—Report the field installation and equip- 9.1.5.3 Show calculation of transmissivity and coefficient of
ment for the aquifer test. Include in the report, well construc- storage.
tion information, diameter, depth, and open interval to the 9.1.5.4 Evaluate the overall quality of the test on the basis of
aquifer, and location of control well and pumping equipment. the adequacy of instrumentation and observations of stress and
The construction, diameter, depth, and open interval of obser- response and the conformance of the hydrogeologic conditions
vation wells should be recorded. and the performance of the test to the assumptions (see 5.1).
9.1.3.1 Report the techniques used for observing water
levels, and other environmental conditions pertinent to the test. 10. Precision and Bias
Include a list of measuring devices used during the test; the 10.1 It is not practicable to specify the precision of this test
manufacturer’s name, model number, and basic specifications method because the response of aquifer systems during aquifer
for each major item; and the name and date of the last tests is dependent upon ambient system stresses. No statement
calibration, if applicable. can be made about bias because no true reference values exist.
9.1.4 Testing Procedures—Report the steps taken in con-
ducting the pretest and test phases. Include the frequency of 11. Keywords
head measurements made in the control well, and other 11.1 aquifers; aquifer tests; control wells; ground water;
environmental data recorded before and during the testing hydraulic conductivity; slug test; storage coefficient;
procedure. transmissivity

REFERENCES

(1) van der Kamp, Garth, “Determining Aquifer Transmissivity by Means (5) Krauss, I., “Determination of the Transmissibility from the Free Water
of Well Response Tests: The Underdamped Case,” Water Resources Level Oscillation in Well-Aquifer Systems,” Surface and Subsurface
Research, Vol 12, No. 1, 1976, pp. 71–77. Hydrology, Proceedings of the Third International Hydrology Sympo-
(2) Kipp, K. L., Jr., “Type Curve Analysis of Inertial Effects in the sium, Colorado State University, 1977, pp. 179–268.
Response of a Well to a Slug Test,” Water Resources Research, Vol (6) Kruseman and de Ridder, “Analysis and Evaluation of Pumping Test
21, No. 9, 1985, pp. 1397–1408.
Data,” Publication 47, International Institute for Land and Reclama-
(3) Cooper, H. H., Jr., Bredehoeft, J. D., and Papadopulos, I. S., “Response
tion and Improvement, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 1991.
of a Finite-Diameter Well to an Instantaneous Charge of Water,”
Water Resources Research, Vol 3, No. 1, 1967, pp. 263–269. (7) Kabala, Z. J., Pinder, G. F., and Milly, P. C. D., “Analysis of
(4) Bird, R. B., Stewart, W. E., and Lightfoot, E. N., Transport Well-Aquifer Response to a Slug Test,” Water Resources Research,
Phenomena, John Wiley, New York, 1960. Vol 21, No. 9, 1985, pp. 1433–1436.

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