Permeability Test

Objective
➢ To calculate the coefficient of permeability for a certain soil sample by
utilizing the falling head method.

Introduction
➢ The capacity of a soil to allow water to pass through its pores or spaces is
known as its permeability. It is one of the most significant soil characteristics
that geotechnical engineers are interested in. The speed at which water absorbs
soil components is known as soil permeability (hydraulic conductivity).
Across a wide range of engineering and earth scientific fields, it is a crucial
quality. The coefficient of permeability (k) is a proportionality constant that
describes how easily fluid flows through a porous media.
In the laboratory, two standard permeability test procedures are often used:
the constant head test technique and the falling head test procedure. For
cohesionless or coarse grain, the constant head test technique is utilized,
whereas the falling head test is mostly used for cohesive or fine grain soils.

Theory
➢ Falling head test method
To measure the permeability of fine-grained soils with intermediate and low
permeability, including silts and clays, a frequent laboratory testing method is
the falling head permeability test. An undisturbed sample can be used for this
testing technique. The falling head method's basic idea is based on Henry
Darcy, a French physicist, who in 1856 published Darcy's rule. For the
discharge velocity of water through saturated soils, there is a straightforward
equation.
v = ki
where;
v = Discharge velocity, which is the quantity of water flowing in unit time
through a unit cross sectional area of soil at right angle to the direction of flow,
 k = Coefficient of permeability
i = Hydraulic gradient

The volume rate of flow (q) is,

 ➢ The coefficient of permeability is defined as the rate of flow of water under
laminar flow conditions through a unit cross-sectional area of a porous
medium under a unit hydraulic gradient and standard temperature conditions.
The unit of k is m/s.

Materials and Apparatus

1. Falling Head Permeability Apparatus

2. Permeameter with its accessories.
3. Standard soil specimen.
4. Stopwatch.
5. Measuring jar.
6. Meter scale.
7. Container to collect excess water
Procedure

1. First the inner diameters of the permeameter and the standpipe was measured
using the vernier caliper.
2. Next the length between the top of the permeameter and the top surface of the
soil sample was measured using the meter ruler. (Sample length)
3. The glass standpipe's top was then filled with water until it reached the zero
point.
4. Then, using the measuring tape, h0 was calculated from the apparatus's base
to the level of the zero mark.
5. After that, water was allowed to flow through the valve for a five-minute
period after it was opened.
6. Next, the valve was shut off after five minutes, and h1 (the height of the new
water level from the apparatus's bottom) was noted.
7. Finally, for around 50 minutes the water level in the glass standpipe at
intervals of 5 minutes was noted.
Observation
Calculations
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Meritics. (2018). Applications of Permeability Measurements. [online] Available at:

https://www.meritics.com/applications-permeability-measurements/.

BobbykruwDuncan. (n.d.). Falling Head Permeability Test. [online] Available at:

https://bobbykruwduncan.blogspot.com/2022/08/falling-head-permeability-
test.html [Accessed 16 Nov. 2022].

Ebrary. (n.d.). Rising, Falling and Constant Head Tests in Boreholes. [online] Available
at:
https://ebrary.net/199709/engineering/rising_falling_constant_head_tests_borehol
es.

www.vjtech.co.uk. (n.d.). Introduction to Permeability Testing. [online] Available at:

https://www.vjtech.co.uk/blog/introduction-to-permeability-testing.