ASTM committee developing drain test

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics is currently developing a proposed new standard that covers the test procedure for evaluating the effectiveness of prefabricated vertical drains to enhance the consolidation of soils under specified conditions.

The proposed standard, WK13402-Test Method for Large Scale Consolidation Test for Prefabricated Vertical Drains, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and Filtration.

“For geotechnical engineers that are very familiar with sand drains as a means of accelerating consolidation of soft foundation soils, WK13402 will provide a means of evaluating how prefabricated vertical drains perform in relation to a sand drain,” said L. David Suits, executive director of the North American Geosynthetics Society, and a member of the task group developing the standard. Suits noted that the proposed standard will be most useful to engineers who are designing structures or embankments over soft foundation walls.

For further technical information, contact L. David Suits, North American Geosynthetics Society, Albany, N.Y. (phone: 518/869-2917; Nagsdirector@aol.com).

Committee D35 will meet next June 27-29, 2007, in Norfolk, Va. For membership or meeting information, contact Christine Sierk, manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (610 832 9728; csierk@astm.org).