3.2 Flow of Water in Soil (Permeablity)

9/18/21, 6:48 AM 3.
2 Flow of Water in Soil (Permeablity): CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
3.2 Flow of Water in Soil (Permeablity)
c
Flow of Water in Soil (Permeability)

Introduction to the Topic:
Permeability is one of property of soil that define as the ability of soil to allow water to pass through on its
interconnecting voids. This is one of the most important physical properties of soil in designing highways, dams,
foundation because of the its effect - the settlement of foundation, foundation below water table and others. We can
say that the material is permeable if it contains continuous voids that the water will pass through.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session the students should be able to:
1. familiar with the different formulas in computing the coefficient of permeability;

2. familiar with the different formulas in computing the equivalent coefficient of permeability of layered soil; and
https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/pages/3-dot-2-flow-of-water-in-soil-permeablity?module_item_id=1723039 1/21
9/18/21, 6:48 AM 3.2 Flow of Water in Soil (Permeablity): CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
3. solve the rate of flow of water in soil.
FORMULAS IN COMPUTING THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY
1.) Constant-Head Test
QL
K =
Aht
where:
Q− Volume of water collected in a certain period
L− Length of sample
A− Cross-sectional area of sample
h− Constant head
t− time recorded to collect the volume of water

2.) Variable Head Test
aL h1
K = ln
At h2
where:
a− cross-sectional area of standpipe
L− Length of sample
A− Cross-sectional area of sample
h1 − initial hydraulic head
h2 − final hydraulic head

3.) Pumping Test
r
1
q ln
r
2
K = 2 2
π(h 1 −h 2 )
where:
q− Discharge (rate of flow)
r1 − distance of first observation well
r2 − distance of second oservation well
h1 − first hydraulic head
h2 − second hydraulic head

EQUIVALENT COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF LAYERED SOIL
1.) For parallel direction of flow

1
K eq = [h 1 k1 + h 2 k2 + h 3 k3 +. . . +h n kn ]
H
2.) For perpendicular direction flow

H
Keq = h
h h 3 hn
1 2
+ + +...+
k k k kn
1 2 3
where:
H− Total thickness of layered soil
h1 − thickness of first layer
k1 − coefficient of permeability of first layer
h2 − thickness of second layer
k2 − coefficient of permeability of second layer
h3 − thickness of third layer
k3 − coefficient of permeability of third layer
hn − thickness of last layer
kn − coefficient of permeability of last layer

Example 1:
From constant head permeability test on fine sand, the following data were recorded:
Length of sample = 16 cm
Diameter of sample = 9.6 cm
Constant head difference = 50 cm
Volume of water collected in 4 minutes = 420 cc
a. Determine the coefficient of permeability in cm/sec.
b. Find the discharge velocity in cm/sec

Graph.
Solution:
a. Coefficient of permeability
QL
k =
Aht
3
420 cm (16 cm)
k =
π 2 sec
(9.6 cm) (50 cm)(4 min)(60 )
4 min
−3 cm
k = 7.74 × 10
sec
b. Discharge velocity
v = ki
h
i =
L
−3 50
v = 7.74 × 10 ( )
16
cm
v = 0.024
sec
Example 2:
A falling head hydraulic conductivity test is performed on a sample of soil. The standpipe having a diameter 0.2
cm is observed and it takes 60 seconds for the water to drop by 50 cm from an initial hydraulic head of 90 cm.
The sample has a length of 20 cm, and a diameter of 4 cm.
a. Find the coefficient of permeability of soil
b. Compute the rate of flow of water in the soil

Graph.
Solution:
a. Coefficient of permeability
aL h1
k = ln
At h2
π 2
(0.2 cm) (20 cm)
4 90 cm
k = ln
π 2 40 cm
(4 cm) (60 sec)
4
−4 cm
k = 6.76 × 10
sec
b. Rate of flow
q = kiA
h
i =
L
−4 cm 40 cm π 2
q = (6.76 × 10 )( )[ (4 cm) ]
sec 20 cm 4
3
cm
q = 0.017
sec
Example 3:
Pumping test was carried out in a layer of soil extending to a depth of 28m. The initial position of water table is
located 4m below the ground. Observation wells are sighted 33.5m and 97.5m from the pumping well. Water is
pump at 248.4 cu.m. per hour and when steady level was attained, the draw downs at the observation wells
were observed to be 1.1m and 0.54m respectively.
a. Determine the height of water at the farthest observation well
b. Compute the coefficient of permeability in m/day
c. Determine the transmissibility (drainage capability) of soil in sq.m. per day

Graph.
Solution:
a. height
h1 = 28 − 4 − 0.54 = 23.46m
h1 = 23.46 m
b. Coefficient of permeability
r
1
q ln
r
2
k = 2 2
π(h 1 −h 2 )
97.5
248.4 ln
33.5
k =
2 2
π[(23.46) −(22.9) ]
m 24 hours
k = 3.25 ×
hr 1 day
m
k = 78.09
day
c. transmissibility
T = k (distance drained)
m
T = 78.09 (28 − 4) m
day
2
m
T = 1, 874.16
day
Example 4:
Three layers of soil is shown with the corresponding values of coefficient of permeability. Determine the
following. The height of soil having k1 is 3m, k2 is 4m, amd k3 is 5m.
a. Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability
b. Equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability
c. Ratio of equivalent coefficient of permeability (H to V)
Solution:
a. Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability
1
k eq = [h1 k 1 + h2 k 2 + h3 k 3 ]
H
1 −3 −3 −3
k eq = [3 (4 × 10 ) + 4 (5 × 10 ) + 5 (6 × 10 )]
12
−3 cm
k eq = 5.17 × 10
sec
b. Equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability

H
keq =
h h h
1 2 3
+ +
k k k
1 2 3
12
keq =
3 4 5
+ +
−3 −3 −3
4×10 5×10 6×10
−3 cm
k eq = 5.03 × 10
sec
c. Ratio (h/v)
keq (horizontal)
Ratio =
keq (vertical)
−3
5.17×10
Ratio =
−3
5.03×10
Ratio = 1.03
End of Discussion.
See attached lecture: Flow of Water in Soil (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/7871336/download?

wrap=1)
PowerPoint Presentation: Lecture-6-Fluid-Flow-through-Soil.pdf

(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/8320834?wrap=1)
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/8320834/download?download_frd=1)
Here are some links that might be useful for your studies:
Soil Permeability
(http://www.fao.org/tempref/FI/CDrom/FAO_Training/FAO_Training/General/x6
706e/x6706e09.htm)
Flow of Water Through Soil (https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/soil/flow-of-water-
through-soil-permeability-and-factors-affecting-permeability/45420)
Flow of Water in the Soil (https://www.soilmanagementindia.com/soil-water/flow-
of-water-in-the-soil-soil-water-relationship-agronomy/4509)

Summary:
FORMULAS IN COMPUTING THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY
1.) Constant Head Test

QL
K =
Aht
2.) Variable Head Test

aL h1
K = ln
At h2
3.) Pumping Test

r
1
Q ln
r
2
K = 2 2
π(h −h )
1 2
EQUIVALENT COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF LAYERED SOIL
1.) For parallel direction of flow

1
K eq = [h 1 k1 + h 2 k2 + h 3 k3 +. . . +h n kn ]
H
2.) For perpendicular direction flow

H
Keq =
h h h hn
1 2 3
+ + +...+
k k k kn
1 2 3
Reference:
Ishibashi, Isao (2015). Soil mechanics fundamentals and applications Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press
Das, Braja M. (2013). Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering New Zealand: Cengage Learning
Murthy, V. N. S. (2002). Geotechnical engineering principles and practices of soil mechanics and foundation
engineering: CRC Press

For more references, kindly check TIP Online Resources
TIP Library (https://www.tip.edu.ph/library.html)
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uploaded in this learning management system by T.I.P. may be copied, photographed, printed, reproduced,
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in part, without prior consent of T.I.P.
END OF TODAY'S LECTURE.
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-Barbara Kingsolver
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9/18/21, 6:48 AM 3.

2 Flow of Water in Soil (Permeablity): CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1

Introduction to the Topic:

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session the students should be able to:

1. familiar with the different formulas in computing the coefficient of permeability;

3. solve the rate of flow of water in soil.

FORMULAS IN COMPUTING THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY

1.) Constant-Head Test

Q− Volume of water collected in a certain period

A− Cross-sectional area of sample

t− time recorded to collect the volume of water

2.) Variable Head Test

a− cross-sectional area of standpipe

A− Cross-sectional area of sample

h1 − initial hydraulic head

h2 − final hydraulic head

3.) Pumping Test

q− Discharge (rate of flow)

r1 − distance of first observation well

r2 − distance of second oservation well

h1 − first hydraulic head

h2 − second hydraulic head

EQUIVALENT COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF LAYERED SOIL

1.) For parallel direction of flow

2.) For perpendicular direction flow

H− Total thickness of layered soil

h1 − thickness of first layer

k1 − coefficient of permeability of first layer

h2 − thickness of second layer

k2 − coefficient of permeability of second layer

h3 − thickness of third layer

k3 − coefficient of permeability of third layer

hn − thickness of last layer

kn − coefficient of permeability of last layer

Diameter of sample = 9.6 cm

Constant head difference = 50 cm

Volume of water collected in 4 minutes = 420 cc

a. Determine the coefficient of permeability in cm/sec.

b. Find the discharge velocity in cm/sec

a. Find the coefficient of permeability of soil

b. Compute the rate of flow of water in the soil

a. Determine the height of water at the farthest observation well

b. Compute the coefficient of permeability in m/day

c. Determine the transmissibility (drainage capability) of soil in sq.m. per day

a. Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability

b. Equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability

c. Ratio of equivalent coefficient of permeability (H to V)

a. Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability

b. Equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability

See attached lecture: Flow of Water in Soil (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/7871336/download?

PowerPoint Presentation: Lecture-6-Fluid-Flow-through-Soil.pdf

FORMULAS IN COMPUTING THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY

1.) Constant Head Test

2.) Variable Head Test

3.) Pumping Test

EQUIVALENT COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF LAYERED SOIL

1.) For parallel direction of flow

2.) For perpendicular direction flow

For more references, kindly check TIP Online Resources

TIP Library (https://www.tip.edu.ph/library.html)

END OF TODAY'S LECTURE.