BS EN ISO 17892-11-2019 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN ISO 17892-11:2019 — Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 11: Permeability tests. This document gives standardized laboratory methods for determining water flow characteristics and the coefficient of permeability of soils (constant-head and falling-head type permeability tests), as adopted in the British (BS EN) edition of the ISO standard.

Abstract

This standard specifies procedures, apparatus requirements, measurement and calculation methods for laboratory permeability tests on saturated soils. It covers the determination of the coefficient of permeability used in geotechnical investigations and satisfies relevant needs of foundation and earthworks design.

General information

• Status: Published — national adoption as BS EN ISO (active / current).
• Publication date: ISO edition published January 2019; British adoption (BS EN ISO) published March 6, 2019.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); national adoption published by BSI as BS EN ISO.
• ICS / categories: 93.020 (Earthworks, foundation construction) and 13.080.20 (Physical properties of soils).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2019) — ISO 17892-11:2019 (adopted as BS EN ISO 17892-11:2019).
• Number of pages: ISO core document listed as 20 pages; national (BS/BSI) PDF editions commonly reported with additional front/back matter (around 30 pages in BSI distribution).

Scope

The standard applies to laboratory determination of the coefficient of permeability of soils under controlled water flow conditions. It provides test procedures for constant-head and falling-head permeameter methods, apparatus and measurement requirements, recommendations on permeant water chemistry (including de-aeration), and calculation/reporting of permeability results for use in geotechnical site investigation and design. The methods are intended for saturated soils and are suitable for engineering applications such as groundwater flow assessment, design of filters and impervious layers, and inputs to geotechnical design codes.

Key topics and requirements

• Laboratory permeability test types: constant-head and falling-head methods for saturated soils.
• Apparatus requirements: permeameters, filter discs, valves, head/displacement measuring devices, and recommendations on calibration and measurement accuracy.
• Specimen preparation and dimensions, handling of potential changes in specimen geometry and corrections where required.
• Permeant water considerations: use of water similar in chemistry to pore water, de‑aering of water to avoid air effects.
• Calculation methods for coefficient of permeability, including use of measured flow rates, heads and geometric corrections.
• Reporting requirements and typical uncertainties to support geotechnical design and compliance with EN 1997 references.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical and civil engineering laboratories, consulting geotechnical engineers, academic researchers, site investigation contractors, and regulators. Typical applications include groundwater flow assessment, filter and drainage design, verification of engineered impermeable layers, and providing input parameters for foundation and slope stability analyses.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 17892 series on laboratory testing of soil (other parts cover index tests, compressibility, shear strength, etc.). ISO/TS 17892-11:2004 (earlier technical specification) was withdrawn and replaced by ISO 17892-11:2019. The standard is referenced to support requirements of EN 1997 (geotechnical design) and replaces or updates some older national test-method standards (for example, elements of BS 1377).

Keywords

permeability; coefficient of permeability; permeameter; constant-head test; falling-head test; saturated soils; laboratory testing; geotechnical investigation; flow measurement; permeant water; ISO 17892.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the ISO standard (adopted as BS EN ISO) that specifies laboratory methods for determining the permeability (coefficient of permeability) of soils using standard permeameter tests.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, specimen preparation, test procedures (constant-head and falling-head), measurement and control of heads and flows, permeant water recommendations (including de‑aering), calculation of permeability coefficients, and reporting of results for geotechnical use.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical testing laboratories, consulting engineers, site investigation teams, research groups and regulatory bodies involved in foundation, earthworks and hydrogeotechnical design.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17892-11:2019 is the current edition (published 2019). ISO records show the publication was reviewed and confirmed (remains current) in 2025; the 2004 technical specification was withdrawn and replaced by this 2019 edition. National adoptions (BS EN ISO 17892-11:2019) were published in 2019.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 11 of the ISO 17892 series on laboratory testing of soil; the series contains multiple parts covering index properties, compressibility, shear strength and other laboratory tests used in geotechnical investigation and design.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Permeability, coefficient of permeability, constant-head, falling-head, permeameter, saturated soil, laboratory testing, geotechnical investigation.