Designation: D 5385 – 93 (Reapproved 2000)e1

Standard Test Method for

Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance of Waterproofing
Membranes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5385; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—Editorially switched from English dominant to SI dominant.

1. Scope 4.3 Source of Compressed Air, with pressure up to 690 kPa

1.1 This test method measures the hydrostatic resistance of (100 psi) and with an air pressure controller to regulate the air
a waterproofing membrane under controlled laboratory condi- in 103-kPa (15-psi) increments.
tions. This test method is not suitable for systems that rely on 4.4 Cut Off Saw, equipped with a diamond or masonry
confinement of the seams by the backfill since backfill is not blade, to prepare precast concrete blocks for testing substrates.
part of this test method. 4.5 Clock—Either a common time piece or a 1-h interval
1.2 The primary units in this test method are SI; inch- timer.
pounds units are shown in parentheses. 4.6 Silicone Vacuum Grease.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.7 Precast-Concrete Patio Blocks, 125-lb/ft3 minimum
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the density, 2100-psi minimum compressive strength, smooth
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- surfaced, 191 by 394 by 51 mm (71⁄2 by 151⁄2 by 2 in.).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 5. Test Substrate Preparation
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Cut an approximately 3.2-mm (1⁄8-in.) wide kerf 44 mm
2. Terminology (13⁄4 in.) deep lengthwise down the center of a 191 by 394 by
2.1 Definition: 51-mm (71⁄2 by 151⁄2 by 2-in.) concrete block.
2.1.1 post-formed crack—for the purposes of this test 5.2 Cut a kerf in at least three blocks for each system to be
method, one that forms and widens behind the waterproofing tested, and condition the blocks at the test temperature for at
membrane after it has been applied and cured. least 24 h.
5.3 Condition all other materials necessary for the system to
3. Significance and Use be tested at the test temperature for at least 4 h.
3.1 This test method tests the hydrostatic resistance of a
6. Sample Preparation
waterproofing membrane and can be used to compare the
hydrostatic resistance of waterproofing membranes. 6.1 Prime, surface condition, or otherwise prepare the sur-
3.2 No correlation has been established between the perfor- face of the block to receive the membrane, as recommended by
mance in this test method and that in the field. the manufacturer of the system. Permit the primer to dry or
cure for the minimum time recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Apparatus 6.2 For single-ply sheet samples, cut and install the mem-
4.1 Hydrostatic Testing Equipment, including a chamber brane over the prepared block, with a lap of the width
(Fig. 1), and a clamping bracket (Fig. 2), and the gasket and recommended by the manufacturer perpendicular to and in the
fasteners to form the completed assembly (Fig. 3). center of the kerf in the other side of the blocks. The edges of
4.2 Conditioning Room, with forced air circulation to main- the lapped sheets should extend beyond the block edges
tain a temperature of 2 to 7°C (35 to 45°F) for testing sheet approximately 6 mm (1⁄4 in.). Roll membranes intended for
systems, 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F) for liquid-applied systems, pressure-sensitive application with four passes of a 12.7-kg
and large enough to condition, prepare, and test samples. (28-lb), 152-mm (6-in.) wide steel roller.
6.3 Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all mem-
branes. Spacers may be used to aid in obtaining the thickness
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on required by the manufacturer.
Roofing, Waterproofing, and Bituminous Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D08.22 on Waterproofing and Damproofing Systems.
Current edition approved May 15, 1993. Published July 1993.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 5385 – 93 (2000)e1

FIG. 1 Chamber

FIG. 2 Clamping Bracket

FIG. 3 Completed Assembly

6.4 Allow all samples to cure or condition for at least 24 h 7. Procedure

or for the minimum time recommended by the manufacturer,
7.1 Mount the test specimens using the following steps:
whichever is greater.

2
 D 5385 – 93 (2000)e1
7.1.1 Measure the width of the kerf in the block. Obtain two leak through the joint in the blocks is observed, record the
38 by 38-mm (11⁄2 by 11⁄2-in.) metal spacers 3.2-mm (1⁄8-in.) pressure during the prior hour as the maximum pressure and
thicker than the width of the kerf. discontinue the test.
7.1.2 With the waterproofed surface down, support the 7.2.3 If the gasket has substantial leaks, the test is invalid
block at both ends directly under the kerf. (A pair of the nuts and a new assembly should be prepared and tested.
used to secure the sample to the chamber have proved to be 7.2.4 Allow the test to continue for 1 h at 690 kPa (100 psi).
adequate supports.) Tap the block with a hammer to break the If the air pressure has fallen below 552 kPa (80 psi) at the end
balance of the block at the kerf. of the hour due to equipment failure, the test is invalid. Repeat
7.1.3 Insert the spacers selected in 7.1.1 at each end of the the test with a new prepared sample.
kerf, and rotate the blocks to hold the spacers firmly.
8. Report
7.1.4 Coat both sides of the rubber gasket lightly with
vacuum grease, and fit the gasket to the face of the test 8.1 Calculate the head of water from the pressure the sample
chamber. withstood successfully by multiplying the maximum pressure
7.1.5 Set the membrane side of the block against the gasket withstood for at least 1 h by a suitable factor. Multiply psi by
and the steel bracket against the back of the block. 2.31 to convert the pressure to feet of water, or multiply kPa by
0.10 to convert pressure to metres of water.
7.1.6 Tighten the fasteners clamping the block to the cham-
8.2 Report the source and thickness of the sample, the mean
ber gradually, forcing the spacers to widen the joint behind the
and standard deviation of the head of water withstood success-
membrane (since the spacers are 3.2 mm (1⁄8 in.) wider than the
fully, and all pertinent observations.
saw kerf).
7.2 Test the assembly as follows: 9. Precision Bias
7.2.1 With the air vent open, fill the chamber with water, 9.1 No statement is made concerning either the precision or
and close the water valve. Monitor the assembly for leaks for bias of this test method since the result states merely that the
30 min. Stop gasket leaks by tightening the perimeter fasteners. system tested passes this test at a specific pressure and does not
Record failure at 0 kPa (0 psi) if leakage is through the joints leak water for 1 h.
between the blocks.
7.2.2 Attach the air line, and increase the air pressure in 10. Keywords
103-kPa (15-psi) steps each hour, up to a maximum of 690 kPa 10.1 hydrostatic pressure resistance; membrane;
(100 psi); the last upward pressure step is 69 kPa (10 psi). If a waterproofing

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