PERMEABILITY TEST

PROGRAM
1.0 Introduction and overview of the soil permeability tests
The coefficient of permeability (k θ) of a soil is defined as the water flow rate (Q ¿, under laminar flow
conditions, through a unit cross-sectional area ( A ¿ of the soil medium, under a unit hydraulic gradient

( H ). Basically, there are two techniques of determining the coefficient of permeability (k θ) of soils,
namely the constant head permeability test (CHPT) and the falling head permeability test (FHPT). The
determination of the coefficient of permeability is considered as one of the most significant intrinsic soil
properties in current research program for evaluating the liquefaction resistant characteristics of studied
samples. The k θ of soils would help achieve the overall aim and objectives of current research work. The
k θ is useful as part of the key parameters in coupling numerical and physical models to fully understand
the generation of excess porewater pressure (EPWP) and dissipation characteristics of soils. Furthermore,
the permeability coefficient is useful to solve problems related to:

(a) Soil yield behaviour when in saturated state

(b) Stability analysis of earth dams and other forms of embankments such as slopes, water canals,
etc.
(c) Seepage problems in earth dams
(d) Coupling a realistic numerical model for soil liquefaction scenarios
(e) Settlement issues

The drainage characteristics of the soil is directly showcased by the soil permeability coefficient k θ. Also,
k θ is an important property for describing the dilation, contraction, rate of soil consolidation, strength, and
compaction characteristics of soils.

All soil samples required for testing are reconstituted or remolded in the laboratory. The soil specimens
are made up of a typical example of clean sand called east coast sand (ECS) and the derived
corresponding east coast sand matrix specimens, obtained by mixing 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%
content by weight of cohesive fines (kaolinite). The soil sample are named ECS00, ECS05, ECS10,
ECS15, ECS20, and ECS30, making up a total of six different samples. The abbreviation ECS stands for
east coast sand while the double digits after same designates the percentage content by weight of a typical
cohesive fine (i.e. kaolinite). Subscript may further be added to the sample names above to indicate the
test trial number because minimum of three (3) test trials or repeatability is proposed for the six samples
specified above in current test program. Complete homogenous mix is achieved for all sand matrix soils
specimens with the aid of an efficient mechanical mixer in the laboratory. Table 1 summarizes the details
of the designed testing program for determination of k θ. The required total number of tests is eighteen

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(18). The estimated breakdown of the minimum time required to complete all tests is 36 working days if
no access is allowed in laboratory in normal office hours.

Table 1 Summary details of permeability test program

S/N. Sample Type of Test Number of Estimated Duration (in days)

Name/No. test/repeatability for completion
1. ECS00 CHPT 3 3
2. ECS05 FHPT 3 3
3. ECS10 FHPT 3 3
4. ECS15 FHPT 3 9
5. ECS20 FHPT 3 9
6. ECS30 FHPT 3 9
Total 18 (total no. of test) 36days for test completion

1.1 Aim and objectives of the permeability tests

The main aim of the permeability test is to obtain the coefficient of permeability ' k θ’ of the six (6)
remolded samples. The objectives, based on the entirety of current research program, is to

(a) provide complete input data for numerical and physical models
(b) describe the variation of soil drainage characteristics of tested specimens based on effects of the
cohesive fines on the void ratio of sand.

The above-mentioned objectives are required to understand the liquefaction behaviour of soils.

1.2 Test method for remolded clean sand (ECS00)

Based on the literature of permeability tests, the recommended and suitable testing technique for granular
materials such as clean sands with no fines and gravel is the CHPT. The Australian Standard, AS
1289.6.7.1 (2001) is applied for the CHPT of ECS. First, compacted ECS00 specimens, achieved by
vibration table using standard test procedures will make up the remolded ECS00 samples. The essence of
testing compacted soil samples is to replicate the same range of density state for soil specimens in
monotonic compression tests (triaxial condition). The other reasons for compaction of samples is to be
able to determine the dry density, DD (kg/m 3) and moisture content MC (%). The DD and MC is required
for determination of dry density and moisture content ratio respectively as specified in AS 1289.6.7.1
(2001). Completely de-aired water achieved with the aid of vacuum pump would be utilized throughout
tests. All other test procedures and recommendations in the above-mentioned standard is followed to
obtain the required parameters for estimating/computing the coefficient of permeability (k ¿ ¿θ) ¿.

The required data for all samples in the CHPT includes, the height or length, h (mm) of each sample after
compaction, the sample cross-sectional area, A (mm2), hydraulic head, H (mm) determined from the

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standpipes, the time interval of volume measurements, t (seconds), the volume of water passing through
the soil in time t , V w (mL), the temperature of water during tests, ( 0C). Table 2 shows the typical data
recording template which can be incorporated in excel for easy calculation. In reporting the CHPT, other
significant information in test reporting include the water content (%) of test specimens (determined as
per standard procedures specified in research methodology), the dry unit weight, γ (kN/m3), specific
gravity of samples, and void ratio.

Table 2 CHPT record template for ECS00

Experiment number 1 2 3
Height of specimen, h (mm)
Area of specimen, A (mm2)
Time, t (seconds)
Discharge, Q (mL)
Manometer readings: h1 (mm)
Manometer readings: h2 (mm)
H
Hydraulic gradient, i=
h
Vw
Coefficient of permeability, k θ= ∗h/ H
60 At

1.3 Test method for remolded ECS containing cohesive fines (kaolinite) i.e., sand matrix soils
The proposed test method for computing the coefficient of permeability ( k θ ¿ for ECS containing varying
percentages of cohesive fines (i.e. 5%, 10%,15%,20%, and 30%) is the FHPT. The FHPT will be
executed in accordance to AS 1289.6.7.2 (2001). Like the ECS00, compaction is by vibration method for
samples containing fines up to 15% (i.e., ECS05, ECS10, & ECS15) while samples containing 20% and
30% fines (i.e., ECS20 & ECS30) would be compacted using the rammer method (specified compaction
method in methodology). The selected different compaction method is based on the recommendations as
found in relevant soil testing standards for sands containing fines. The required parameters in the FHPT
test is templatized in Table 3 to be implemented in excel for efficient evaluation

Table 3 FHPT record for remolded east coast sand matrix soil specimens

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 Experiment number 1 2 3
Height of specimen, h (mm)
Time interval of measurement, t (minutes)
Cross-sectional area of specimen, A (mm 2)
Cross-sectional area of standpipe, as (mm2)
Initial height of water in standpipe: hi (mm)
Final height of water in standpipe: hf (mm)
Temperature, θ (0C)
2.3 a s h hi
Coefficient of permeability, k θ= 4
( 6∗10 )∗At
∗log
[ ]
hf

2.0 Test schedule of permeability tests

The soil permeability test schedule will be prepared after discussion with supervisor. The test dates will
be based on the requirements of other research activities and the recently specified rules of not allowing
students to work outside office hours.

AS 1289.6.7.1. (2001). Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes Soil strength and consolidation
tests Determination of permeability of a soil - Constant head method for a remoulded specimen

AS 1289.6.7.2. (2001). Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes Soil strength and consolidation
tests Determination of permeability of a soil - Falling head method for a remoulded specimen.