HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY (PERMEABILITY) TEST [{(CONSTANT-HEAD AND FALLING-HEAD] PURPOSE To determine the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity of a soil (formerly called the coefficient of permeability) EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES SOIL yay Reo Constant-head permeameter mould and system (Figure 1) Falling-head permeameter mould and system (Figure 2) timer Measuring cylinder (500 ml capacity) Thermometer Coarse-grained soil (Constant Head Test) Fine-grained soil (Falling Head Test) DISCUSSION Two types of test are commonly used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of soil in the laboratory. The constant head test is generally used for coarse- grained soils while the falling head is used on remolded or undisturbed fine- grained soil samples. CONSTANT-HEAD TEST PROCEDURE 1 we Determine the dimensions of the equipment and the mould, and record these data in Table 1 along with other required data as indicated. Use an appropriate procedure to place the soil in the mould. Due to time restriction the samples have been prepared in advance. Students who are interested in the exact procedures of samples preparation should refer to the relevant BS1377 standard and other texts. Connect the mould to the system as shown in Figure 1. Allow water to pass through the system and the soil specimen under a constant head for a sufficient time to ensure that no air remains in the system or in the soil. Page I5. Collect the water which has passed through the soil and note the temperature but do not record. When the temperature is relatively constant and the flow appears to be regular and steady, the actual test can begin. 6. Measure the time required to collect a given quantity of water, usually 500 mi. 7. Take and record the temperature of the water collected. 8. Repeat the test, ic., steps 6 and 7 at least 2 more times or until there is no appreciable variation in measured time and temperature. 9. Record all test measurements in Table 1 and complete the calculations including adjustment to 20°C. CALCULATIONS ‘The hydraulic conductivity (kz) of a soil is determine by Darcy’s equation: Qn= where ky (AW/L) A Q: denotes the quantity of water which has been passed through the soil and been collected, L: denotes the length of soil sample where head loss is measured, A; denotes the cross-sectional area of the soil sample, ‘Ah: denotes the head loss across that length of soil specimen where head loss is measured, t: denotes the time required to collect the quantity of water (Q). ‘Temperature Correction: To calculate the hydraulic conductivity of a soil for any desired temperature, usually 20°C is used as a standard, the following equation is used k where = {ek advil k: denotes the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity at the desired temperature, kp: denotes the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity at the measured temperature, tir: denotes the viscosity of water at the measured temperature, n: denotes the viscosity of water at the desired temperature Page 2The correction can be easily done using Figure 3 which shows the variation of viscosity of water with temperature. FALLING-HEAD TEST PROCEDURE 1 re 10. 1 Determine the dimensions of the equipment and the mould, and record these data in Table 2 along with other required data as indicated. Use an appropriate procedure to place the soil in the mould. A procedure commonly followed is that of the standard compaction test with a specified water content slightly below optimum. Due to time restriction the samples have been prepared in advance. Students who are interested in the exact procedures of samples preparation should refer to the relevant texts. Connect the mould to the system as shown in Figure 2. Feed water into mould and into the standpipe to a sufficiently high level Close the water supply valve and allow free draining of water from the standpipe to the tubing system and the mould so as to remove any trapped, Repeat this step for a sufficient number of times until no air bubble is detected Close the valve leading to the mould and open the water supply valve to feed water into the standpipe up to the top of the measuring rule Measure the temperature of water inside the container containing the mould a few times. When the temperature is relatively stable the actual test can begin Take the initial reading of head of water in the standpipe above a suitable datum (¢g., the level of overflow of the container). Start the timer. Take reading of the head of water at 10 seconds interval for the first 20 readings, and at 20 seconds interval thereafter until no further reading can be taken. Repeat steps 4 to 9 at least 2 more times. Record all test measurements in Table 2, Form 3.2 and complete the calculations including adjustment to 20°C in Table 3, Form 3.3. Page 3CALCULATIONS The hydraulic conductivity (kr) of a soil is determine by the following equation: kr = (2.3) (a) (L)]/ (A) (te -t1)] * [logio (hu) - logo (h2)) where a: denotes the cross-sectional area of the standpipe, L: denotes the length of the soil sample, hy: denotes the head of water above some datum at time t, ‘A: denotes the cross-sectional area of the soil specimen, hy: denotes the head of water above some datum at time t), hy: denotes the head of water above some datum at time ta, th, tx: denotes any two elapsed time from the beginning of the test, or kr = (2.3) (a) @)/ (A x S where S = flogio (hs) - Logie (hs)] / (te -ti) and = Slope of the graph of log 10 (h) vs. t Temperature Correction: To calculate the hydraulic conductivity of a soil for any desired temperature, usually 20°C is used as a standard, the following equation is used k= kr) (a) Vn where kk: denotes the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity at the desired temperature, kr: denotes the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity at the measured temperature, mir: denotes the viscosity of water at the measured temperature, and n: denotes the viscosity of water at the desired temperature The correction can be easily done using Figure 3 which shows the variation of viscosity of water with temperature, Page 4Overflow ‘ 7 Reservoir LL To vaste =—— SS TE —— oe -cerates water supply Supply valve =X) Permeameter cell NN == AL IL Constant-head: discharge reservoir ‘Measuring cylinder Diameter of cell: 75 mm Length of cell, L: 100 mm Controt valve Figure 1. Arrangement of Apparatus for Constant-Head Hydraulic Conductivity Test. Page 5Standpipe cs.a.= a Seale Hy mE Ri Ho Water IH flow Fe EF Variable head =H Mains water Tap 1 eran ne p by Tap => Thermometer 4 Tank Perforated disc Diameter of cell: 105 mm and wire gauze Length of cell: 115.5 mm Figure 2. Arrangement of Apparatus for Falling-Head Hydraulic Conductivity Test. Page 6Ta/fae 0.94 2.90 0.82 Temperature (°C) Figure 3 Variation of Viscosity of Water with Temperature Page 7Hydraulic Conductivity Form 3.1 Sample No.:_____Specimen No.: Borehole No.: Depth: Date Sampled: Soil Description: Date Tested: Tested By:. Table 1 Constant-Head Permeability Test Results Test | Quantit | Time | Difference | Difference | Cross- [kr Kao No.| y for in between | sectional flowing | flow | manometer| tapping | area of through levels points | sample sample | t(sec)! Ah (cm) | L(em) | A(cm’) | (cm/s) | (cm/s) Qee) 1 2 3 k= (QO MMA) b) O] ko = kr) [(n20)] Average value for coefficient of permeability kao « cm/s Soil Description: Page___of___PagesHydraulic Conductivity Form 3.2 Sample No... Specimen No.: Borehole No. Depth: Date Sampled: Soil Description: Date Tested: Tested By: Table2 _ Falling-Head Permeability Test Results Test No. Teat No. Test No. Time | Waterlevel | Time | Waterlevel | Time | Water level in standpipe in standpipe in standpipe t(sec) H (cm) t(sec)_ H (cm) t(see) Hm) Page___of___Pages« Hydraulic Conductivity Form 3.3 Table 3 Falling Head Permeability Test Results (Cont'd) Test | Gradient | Standardpipe| Sample | Sample | Temp. kr Ko No. | (from cross- | cross- | length graph) | sectional | sectional | L area, a area, A (cm’) (cm’) | @m) | CO] (ms) | (cm/s) ‘Average Gradient (from graph) = = ~—[logio (Hy / Ha)] / [(t) - (t))] ky = [(2.3) (a) @) (Gradient)] / [(A)] Keo = (kr) [(n)/(n2)] ‘Average value for hydraulic conductivity kip = cm/s Soil Description: Page___of___PagesLab. Group course/Year/Class Group Date: Student No. Page: of, Page