A LEV Testing frequency is a random number used in analyzing the efficiency of levelling and dewatering in a permeable membrane system such as a permeable layer or an asphalt slab. The random number used in analyzing the performance of the permeable layer lies between 0 and 1. The specific test requirements of a specific product will dictate the required LEV Testing frequency. For a more flexible product, the testing frequency may be varied by the particular manufacturer.
A permeable layer consists of fine granular materials which are subject to heat and cold and contain pores which are liable to transport air. During the transportation of air, there is friction which results in heating and chilling of the granular materials present inside the pores. The granular products that are most susceptible to heat are concrete dust, ground soil and water. During the cold weather, heat tends to accumulate on the surface of granular materials causing the cooling of these materials. If the climate is cold enough, then air-flow of this type can also result in heat buildup in a permeable layer which is subjected to thorough examination by a LEV Testing frequency.
A permeable layer has pores and openings which are small in size. In the hot and humid climates, such pores and openings are often filled up by water during the rains or if the summer season is hot enough. When there are hot and humid climate during the summer, there is a higher rate of corrosion of metal member posts which form part of the permeable layer. If corrosion occurs within a period of time, then the entire permeable layer gets affected and there develops a condition called the "leaking open" phenomenon. Such phenomenon is a condition where liquid leaks from the member posts and starts to leak into the adjacent spaces. In case of an open pipe, such leaking happens at the common points or joints.
There are certain materials that get wet and expand to a larger extent than others. Such materials include steel pipes, iron pipes, aluminum pipes, copper pipes etc. All these materials expand in their surroundings and create pressure at the joints that are exposed to prevailing weather conditions. Hence, these pressure effects the permeability of the joints in a granular material like lewes which are subject to extreme weather conditions.
To test for this type of condition, a LEV Testing frequency needs to be determined. This refers to the level of testing frequency that needs to be conducted periodically to check for this phenomenon. Based on the level of testing frequency required for the particular materials, the level of exposure to this threat can be predicted and thus the need for annual testing can be planned. This way, the cost of maintenance can also be decreased.
Based on the material and pipe condition, various levels of exposure to LEV Testing frequency can be estimated. These include the annual test level, the annual flash flood level, the annual incident level and the annual total maximum exposure level. Annual flash flood level indicates the level of exposure that can be caused due to water leakage from the member posts when the flash flood waters come in contact with these members. Annual incident level indicates the level of exposure that can cause during an incident when the pipe or the member breaks and leaks. The annual total maximum exposure level indicates the level of exposure that can cause when a pipe breaks completely. Levee tests are carried out to measure the probability of the pipe breaking in different locations and it is estimated based on these calculations that the probability of a pipe breaking in lewes that are subject to varying weather conditions should be reduced. Find out more about a software at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy_(software).
