Doc. Ref.
: ISO/Doc/SOP/DoublePacker
Edition: 001 Page: 2 / 3
(Double Packer Permeability Test)
1. SCOPE
The packer or Lugeon test gives a measure of the pressure. The flow is confined between two packers in the
double packer test, or between one packer and the bottom of the borehole in the single packer test.
2. STANDARD METHOD REFERENCES (BS or ASTM)
BS 5930:1990+A2:2010 Section 4 (25.5)
3. EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS
Flow meter
Dip meter
Water Tank
Lugeon Kit
Drilling Rods and Water Swivel
Inflation pump for the packers
4. PROCEDURE (including Sampling & Sample Preparation)
Developing or cleaning the borehole before testing is vital. The test may be carried out either as a
single or as a double packer test.
Typically a series of five tests are desirable, with the maximum pressure applied in three or five
equal increments and then reduced with decrements of the same amount.
The packers are supported on drill rods, which are also used to supply water under pressure to the
test section, and at the top of the borehole the rods are connected via a water swivel and flush
pump (from the rig).
The test is normally carried out using stages such as 1/3, 2/3, 1, 2/3 and 1/3 of the maximum
allowable gauge pressure.
HT=P + (H‐Hg)‐Hf
Where:
HT is the pressure head causing flow into the rock in meters (m);
P is the Bourdon gauge reading converted to head in meters (m);
H is the height of Bourdon gauge above mid‐point of test section in meters (m);
Hg is the height of natural groundwater level above mid‐point of test section in meters (m);
Hf is the friction head loss in the pipes in meters (m).
Max. water pressure to be applied
Packer Pressure = 2 to 3 times maximum water pressure
At each pressure stage, the pressure is held constant and the volume measured over a period of 5
min.
Doc. Ref.: ISO/Doc/SOP/DoublePacker
Edition: 001 Page: 3 / 3
(Double Packer Permeability Test)
5. CALCULATION & DATA ANALYSIS
Q L
k log e
2HL r
Where
k is the permeability in meters per second (m/s);
Q is the rate of injection in cubic meters per second (m3/s);
H is the pressure head of water in the test section in meters (m);
L is the length of the test section in meters (m);
r is the radius of the test section in meters (m).
6. DATA MANAGEMENT (File Reference)
Field Results coming from site are filled and encoded in an excel sheet and kept in a box file.
7. QUALITY CONTROL (Reproducibility/Repeatability/Control Chart/Proficiency Test/Interlab Comparison)
The Quality Control resources shall be adequate for the requirements of the project at any time, including
provision of mitigation measures against delays.
All technical documentations shall be produced, reviewed, submitted and controlled in accordance with
project specific requirements.
The job shall be conducted and completed in accordance with the quality requirements and in a safe
manner.
The necessary equipment and manpower as well as copies of certificates and other relevant documents will
be provided in a timely manner to the project manager and consultant.
Necessary internal and external trainings are provided to the staff carrying out the job to ensure that the
quality standards required on the project are met.
Skilled and competent personnel shall be deployed to undertake the job.