ASTM D3385-18 is the recognized international standard for determining the infiltration rate of soils in the field using a double-ring infiltrometer. This method is essential for geotechnical and environmental engineering, providing data for septic tank design, irrigation planning, and groundwater recharge studies. Core Objectives of ASTM D3385-18
Precision, bias, and revisions
ASTM D3385-18 standard provides a field procedure for measuring the infiltration rate of liquids (typically water) into soils using a double-ring infiltrometer astm d338518 pdf
In 1975, ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock published the first version of D3385, titled Standard Test Method for Infiltration Rate of Soils in Field Using Double-Ring Infiltrometer. The method was deceptively simple: drive two concentric metal rings into the ground, fill both with water, and measure how fast the water level drops in the inner ring. The outer ring created a buffer zone so water flowed vertically from the inner ring, not horizontally. This gave a true infiltration rate—how fast rainwater, irrigation, or runoff enters the soil. ASTM D3385-18 is the recognized international standard for