1118124, 115 AM Lugeon test
Lugeon test
in Geotechnical Testing
* geotechnical insitu testing
Concept
The Lugeon test, sometimes call also Packer test, is an in-situ testing method widely used to
estimate the avarage hydraulic conductivity of rock mass. It is indeed In situ test of formation
permeability performed by measuring the volume of water taken in a section of test hole when the
interval is pressurized at given pressure (10 bars -150 psi). It is used primarily in variably
permeable formations under evaluation of fracturating .
The test is named after Maurice Lugeon (1933), a Swiss geologist who first formulated the test
Basically, the Lugeon test is a costant head permeability type test carried out in a isolated part of
a borehole. The results provide information about hzdraulic condictivuty of the rock mass including
the rock matrix and the discontinuities.
Description and procedure
The test is conducted in a portion of a borehole isolated by pneumatic packers. The water is
injected into the isolated portion of the borehole using a slotted pipe which it self is bounded by the
inflated packers. The packers can be inflated using a gas compressor on the surafce, and so they
can isolate and seal that portion of the borehole. A pressure transducer is also located in that
portion to measure the pressure with a help of reading station on the surface.
First of all, a maximum test pressure (Pmax) is defined so that it does not exceed the in-situ
minimum stress, thus avoiding hzdraulic fracturing, The test is carried out at five stages including
increasing and decreasing pressure between zero and maximum pressure. At each stage, a
constant pressure is applied for an interval of 10 miniutes while pumping water. Water pressure
and flow rate are measured everz minute, The five loading and unloading stages form a pressure
loop often with the following pressure intervals:
(Stage | Pressure
ist_|0.50 Pmax|
2nd | 0,75 Pmax
3rd__|Pmax
4th_ [0.75 Pmax
5th [0.50 Pmax\
Using the average values of water presure and flow rate measured at each stage, the average
hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass can be determined. Following the empiric original definition
of the test, the hzdraulic conductiviy is experessed in terms of Lugeon Unit, being the conductivity
required for a flow aret of 1 liter per minute per meter of the borehole interval under a constant
pressure of 1 MPa. The Lugeon value for each test is therefore calculated as follows and then an
average representative value is selected for the tested rock mass.
Lugeon Value = (q/L) x (PO/ P)
hitps ww. geatesting.orgigeotestlugeon-test7imol=componenttprint=1 14s1t8r24, 115 AM
where
= flow rate [livin]
L- Length of the borehole test interval [m]
PO - reference pressure of 1 MPa [MPa]
P - Test pressure [MPa]
Lugeon test
Considering a homogenous and isotropic condition, one Lugeon will be equal to 1.3e-
7mls. Contrary to the continuum media, the hzdraulic conductivity of the rock mass is very much
influenced by the rock discontinuities. Therefore, the Lugeon value could represent not only the
conductivity but also the rock jointing condition. Typical range of Lugeon values and the
corresponding rock condition is indicated in th etable below [1]
Lugeon Value
Conductivity classification
Rock discontinuity condition
<1 Very low Very tight
15 Low Tight
515 Moderate Few parlly open
15-50 Medium Some open
50-100 High Many open
>100 Very high Open closely spaced or voids
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216111824, 115 AM Lugeon test
Test himat
inant
Figure - Lugeon test layout (click on figure for reference link)
Standards
* French Standard NF P 94-131 (1994) Essais d'eau Lugeon
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References - External Links
Lugeon test
1, Withers, Nick J., Leo HJ Schaap, and Clive P. Dalton. "The development of a full
displacement pressuremeter.” Proc. of the 2nd international Symposium on the
Pressuremeter and its Marine Applications, College Station, Texas, ASTM Special
technical publication, STP. Vol. 950. 1986
2. Houlsby, G.T. and Withers, N.J.,1988, Analysis of the Cone Pressuremeter Test in Clay,
Géotechnique, Vol. 38, No. 4, December, pp 575-587, ISSN 0016-8505, Awarded the
inaugural Geotechnical Research Medal, Institution of Civil Engineers
35366
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