Infiltration Testing

[learning2geotech]

Why do they recommend to wait 24 to 48 hours (depending on the jurisdiction) after heavy rain (>0.5 in/hr) to do infiltration test when they require the hole to be pre-soaked for at least an hour. Doesn't the rain presoak the soils for us anyway.

 

[TigerGuy]

You're trying to get a government agency to think rationally and logically. Stop it!

The sad part is that many plan reviewers are not trained much past "checking the box" when they receive documents from engineers. The standards are often written so any warm body can follow them.

On the other side of the situation, there are some that actually understand the why and the how and the what so well that they make us do things the previous person never did. These folks can be a pain, but they are perfect for the job to make us all do better.

 

[EireChch]

I have not seen that recommendation but I imagine that it could be due to rising the groundwater table in the short term affecting soakage rates. This will obviously reduce your soakage area if your pit extends below the level.