This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6910/D6910M − 19

Standard Test Method for

Marsh Funnel Viscosity of Construction Slurries1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6910/D6910M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained

1.1 This test method provides an indirect measurement of Fluids
the viscosity of construction slurries using a funnel (Marsh D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Funnel) and a graduated cup with specific volume marks. This Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
test method provides an indicator of the viscosity on a routine Used in Engineering Design and Construction
basis. This test method has been modified from the API 2.2 API Document:
Recommended Practice 13B-1. API RP 13B-1 (R2016), Recommended Practice for Field
Testing Water-based Drilling Fluids, Fourth Edition (Iden-
1.2 The result determined using the method is referred to as tical to ISO 10414-1:2008)3
the Marsh Funnel Viscosity. The Marsh Funnel Viscosity is an
index property and is not an actual measurement of viscosity. 3. Terminology
1.3 This test can be performed in the laboratory or in the 3.1 Definitions—For common definitions of technical terms
field to assess the Marsh Funnel Viscosity of a slurry for in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.

iTeh Standards
quality control purposes.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch- 3.2.1 Marsh Funnel Viscosity (MFV)—also known as funnel
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
viscosity. The time required (in seconds) for 1 qt [1 L] of a
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; slurry to flow into a graduated cup from a funnel (known as a
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Marsh Funnel) with specific dimensions.

formance with the standard. Document Preview

Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 In this method, a slurry is poured into a funnel with
safety concerns, if any, associated with its ASTM specific
use. ItD6910/D6910M-19
is the dimensions (Marsh Funnel). The slurry is then allowed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- to flow into a graduated cup. The time for the slurry to fill a
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/65038682-bc52-42b7-a9a8-e9349cf66579/astm-d6910-d6910m-19
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- volume of 1 qt [1 L] is measured and reported as the Marsh
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Funnel Viscosity. The test temperature is also reported for
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- comparison purposes.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 5. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 5.1 Viscosity is a fundamental characteristic for slurries in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical construction applications. The Marsh Funnel Viscosity test can
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. be used for field quality control of slurries. Relative changes in
slurry viscosity can be identified using Marsh Funnel measure-
2. Referenced Documents ments and modifications can be made to mixing and handling
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 procedures.
NOTE 1—The development of the Marsh Funnel is credited to Hallan N.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Marsh of Los Angeles who published the design and use of his funnel
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.16 on Grouting. viscometer in 1931.
Current edition approved May 15, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally 5.2 This test method allows for the assessment of the
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D6910/D6910M – 09,
which was withdrawn April 2018 and reinstated in May 2019. DOI: 10.1520/D6910
apparent viscosity of construction slurries in the laboratory and
_D6910M-09. in the field. The Marsh Funnel Viscosity is not a true viscosity,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. St., NW,
the ASTM website. Washington, DC 20005-4070, http://www.api.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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

1
 D6910/D6910M − 19
it is an index value and can only be used to assess the relative
viscosity of the slurry to water. Higher MFV values are
obtained for slurries with higher viscosity and lower MFV
values are obtained for slurries with lower viscosity.
5.3 In this test, it is assumed that the apparent viscosity of a
slurry is directly related to the flow duration through a specially
shaped funnel (the Marsh Funnel).
5.4 In slurry construction applications, the viscosity of a
slurry must be maintained within a predetermined range to
stabilize the surrounding soil being supported.
5.5 The Marsh Funnel Viscosity has been widely used in
drilling soil and rock for water wells and oil, gas, soil
stabilization, foundation drilling, and hydraulic barrier appli-
cations.
5.6 Inert suspended solids (such as fine sands, clays, and
cement) and additives affect the viscosity of slurries. This test
may be used to determine the relative effects of these and other
such materials on the viscosity of a slurry.
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
and objective testing, sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
iTeh Standards
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

6. Apparatus
6.1 Marsh Funnel (see Fig. (https://standards.iteh.ai)
1)—The Marsh Funnel shall
in.
0.125
Dimensional Equivalents
mm
3.2

Document
with a screen at the Preview
comply with the following: 0.1875 4.75
2.0 51.0
6.1.1 Funnel Cone—A cone equipped 6.0 152.0
top and an orifice tube at the bottom shall be used. The capacity 12.0 305.0
of the cone from the bottom of the screen opening to the orifice
shall be 1.6 qt [1.5 L]. Typical dimensions ofASTM D6910/D6910M-19
the funnel cone FIG. 1 Marsh Funnel

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/65038682-bc52-42b7-a9a8-e9349cf66579/astm-d6910-d6910m-19
are shown in Fig. 1. It may be manufactured from plastic,
7. Hazards
metal, or other rigid and durable material, and may be provided
with external handles or stands. 7.1 Appropriate eye and hand protection is recommended
6.1.2 Funnel Orifice—An orifice tube of 2-in. in length, for direct work with the slurries.
with an inside diameter of 0.1875 in. The diameter and length 8. Sampling
of this outlet directly affects the Marsh Funnel test results and
these dimensions have been the standard since the inception of 8.1 Obtain a 2 gal [7.5 L] representative sample of the slurry
this method. to be tested using dippers, buckets, mud or slurry samplers, or
6.1.3 Screen—A screen with openings of approximately equivalent equipment from a field construction operation (for
0.0625 in. (that is, 12 mesh screen). The screen is normally example, from a hydrated mix pond) or from a laboratory
placed at the 1.6 qt [1.5 L] level of the funnel; approximately slurry mix. A specimen 1.6 qt [1.5 L] in volume is required for
0.75 in. [19 mm] below the top of the funnel. The screen is a test.
used to separate larger particles that could plug the orifice NOTE 3—When allowed to sit undisturbed, slurries containing clay as a
during the test. viscosifier have a tendency to form a gel. If the viscosity is measured
without breaking this gel, the measured viscosity will be erroneously high.
6.2 Graduated Cup—A metal or plastic graduated cup with Marsh Funnel Viscosity measurements are more repeatable if the slurry is
a 1 qt [1 L] marking. mixed thoroughly immediately prior to testing. This can be accomplished,
for example, by taking a sample directly from a flowline in a grouting
6.3 Timer—A stopwatch or equivalent timer with a resolu- operation and expediently making the Marsh Funnel Viscosity measure-
tion of 0.5 s or better. ment. If a measurement must be made on a stagnant sample, the sample
6.4 Thermometer—A thermometer with a range of 32 to shall be vigorously agitated before making the Marsh Funnel Viscosity
measurement.
220°F [0 to 105°C] with a resolution of 1°F [0.5°C].
6.5 Sampling and Cleaning Equipment. 9. Calibration Checks
6.5.1 Bottle Brush—A bottle brush shall be used to clean the 9.1 Periodically check the Marsh Funnel and the graduated
Marsh Funnel. cup for damage or wear. The Marsh Funnel shall be cleaned