EXPERNMENT NO.

7 (A)
PERMEABILITY TEST FOR GRANULAR SOIL
(CONSTANT HEAD METHOD)
Scope:-
The amount and distribution of moisture in soil have a very great effect on the
physical properties of the soil. To estimate the amount of seepage water across an
earth dam, embankment etc. To determine the drag force on any soil section and to
predict the uplift pressure on the base of soil structure. To predict the boiling
phenomenon in soil structure by employing flow nets.
Apparatus:-
Constant head Permeameter device (including constant head filter tank and
manometer tubes), 500ml beaker, Balance Stop watch, and Thermometer.

Procedure:-
1. Measure the inside dia “D” of Permeameter and calculate the cross sectional
area ”A” of the specimen, length “L” between manometer out lets ,calculate the
volume of the specimen needed for length “L” . calculate the mass of soil needed
for volume. Also calculate the bulk density of soil. Place the prepared soil sample
by one of the following procedures in uniform thin layers approximately equal in
thickness after compaction to the maximum size of particle, but not less than
approximately 15mm (0.6 in).
2. For soil having a maximum size of 9.5mm (3/8”) or less, place the appreciate size
of funnel in the permeability device with the spout in contact with lower screen.
Or previously formed layer and fill the funnel with sufficient soil to form a layer
and spread the soil with a slow spiral motion, so that a uniform layer is formed.
Remix the soil in pan for each successive layer to reduce segregation.
3. Compact successive layers of soil to the desired relative density as follows to a
height of about 2 cm (0.8 in) above the upper manometer tube.
4. Continue placing layers of soil in succession by one of the procedures described
in 1 & 2, until the device is filled to the proper level.
5. Level the upper surface of soil, place the upper screen and allow water to flow
through the sample for at least 10 minutes in order to saturate it.
6. When constant head flow condition have achieved, measure the hydraulic head
“h” that is h1 and h2 across the sample.
7. Using a 500ml graduated cylinder record the time “t” required to collect water.
Repeat two or three additional times until two run agree reasonably well. Also
record the temperature “T” of water.
 Observation and data collection sheet.
Dia of specimen =7.5cm
Length of specimen =15cm
Temperature of water (T) = ºC

Test h1 h2 h=h1 -h2 t Q kT(ºC) k 20 ºC

No. (cm) (cm) (cm) (Sec) (Cc/Sec) cm/Sec cm/Sec
1

The coefficient of permeability can be computed the following equation:-

k= QL/ah (cm/Sec)
Where
k= coefficient of permeability (cm/Sec) from table No. 1
Q= water discharged during test= V/t= (cm3/sec)
L= length of specimen = (cm)
A= cross sectional area specimen =44.2 cm2
h= Head (difference in manometer levels) during test (h 1 -h2)

The permeability computed using the above formula. k is the value for the
particular water temperature at which the test was conducted. It is necessary to
correct this permeability to that for 20 ºC by multiplying the computed value by the
ratio of the viscosity of water at the test temperature to the viscosity of water at 20 ºC
the co-efficient of permeability at 20 ºC, k20 is calculated as

k20= k x  / 20

Where
k = co-efficient of permeability obtained at some temperature T20 ºC,
= co-efficient of dynamic viscosity, in h / (cm/ Sec) =poises at some temperature
T20 ºC, and 20 = co-efficient of dynamic viscosity at 20 ºC.
Table No. 1 for viscosity correction factor,  / 20, for water.
T ºC Correction factor
1 1.72139
2 1.66169
3 1.60119
4 1.55223
5 1.51243
6 1.46268
7 1.42288
8 1.38308
9 1.34328
10 1.30149
11 1.26467
12 1.22985
13 1.19601
14 1.16507
15 1.13423
16 1.10547
17 1.07661
18 1.04975
19 1.02388
20 1.00000
21 0.97611
22 0.95323
23 0.93134
24 0.90945
25 0.88955
26 0.86965
27 0.84975
28 0.83184
29 0.81393
30 0.79701
31 0.78009
32 0.76517
33 0.74825
34 0.73333
35 0.71840
36 0.70447
37 0.69154
38 0.67761
39 0.66467
40 0.65273
 EXPERNMENT NO.7 (B)
PERMEABILITY TEST FOR GRANULAR SOIL
(FALLING HEAD METHOD)
Object:-
To determine the co-efficient of permeability for fine grain soil by falling head
method.

Scope:-
The amount and distribution of moisture in soil have a very great effect on the
physical properties of soil. To estimate the amount of seepage water across an earth
dam, embankments etc. to determine the drag force on any soil section and to predict
the uplift pressure on the base of soil structure.
To predict the boiling phenomenon in soil structure by employing flow nets.

Apparatus:-
Falling head Permeameter device, Ring stand with test tube clamp, Burette
(100ml), Balance, stop watch, thermometer.

Procedure:-
1. Measure the inside dia “D” of Permeameter, length of the specimen “L”.
2. Weigh the Permeameter mould as W1.
3. Take undisturbed soil sample in the mould and record the weight as W 2.
4. Attach the Permeameter with water supply and allow water to flow. This flow
period should be permitted to continue until the specimen is saturated.
5. After saturation full the burette with water record some flow periods, record
the beginning height of water in burette as h 1 start the stop watch to note the
flow period time “t” . denote the closing point as h 2 also note the temperature
and note the k value from the table No. 1

Observation and data collection sheet.

Dia of specimen =4inch (10.16 cm)
Length of specimen =5inch (12.7 cm)
Area of specimen =12.57 in2 (81.1 cm2)
Volume of mould =0.0364cft (1030 cm3)
Temperature of water (T) = ºC
2
Cross-sectional area of burette =a = 1 cm
Test h1 h2 t KT (ºC) cm/Sec K 20 ºC cm/Sec
No. (cm) (cm) (Sec)
1

The coefficient of permeability can be computed the following equation:-

k= (2.3aL/ At )log h1 / h2
Where
k= coefficient of permeability (cm/Sec)
a= Cross-sectional area of burette =a = 1 cm2
t=Time for water in burette to drop from h1 to h2 =
Length of specimen =5inch (12.7 cm)
A= cross sectional area specimen =12.57 in2 (81.1 cm2)
h1=Hydraulic head at the beginning of test (cm)
h2= Hydraulic head at the end of test (cm)

The permeability computed using the above formula. k is the value for the
particular water temperature at which the test was conducted. It is necessary to
correct this permeability to that for 20 ºC by multiplying the computed value by the
ratio of the viscosity of water at the test temperature to the viscosity of water at 20 ºC
the co-efficient of permeability at 20 ºC, k20 is calculated as

k20= k x  / 20

Where
k = co-efficient of permeability obtained at some temperature T20 ºC,
= co-efficient of dynamic viscosity, in h / (cm/ Sec) =poises at some temperature
T20 ºC, and 20 =co-efficient of dynamic viscosity at 20 ºC.