Lugeon test

CONCEPT
TheThe Lugeon test, sometimes call also Packer test, is an in-situ testing
method widely used to estimate the avarage hydraulic conductivity of rock
mass. 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
1st 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 empiricl 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 (P0 / P)

where

q - flow rate [lit/min]

L - Length of the borehole test interval [m]
P0 - reference pressure of 1 MPa [MPa]
P - Test pressure [MPa]

Considering a homogenous and isotropic condition, one Lugeon will be equal

to 1.3e-7m/s. 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 Conductivity
Rock discontinuity condition
Value classification
<1 Very low Very tight
1-5 Low Tight
5-15 Moderate Few partly open
15-50 Medium Some open
50-100 High Many open
>100 Very high Open closely spaced or voids

STANDARDS

o NOT AVAILABLE

IMAGES*