Falling head permeability test

Introduction
The falling head permeability test is a typical laboratory test technique used to assess the
permeability of grained soils with intermediate and low permeability, like silt and clays. In
this test, a relatively short sample is attached to a standpipe that measures the amount of
water flowing through the sample and provides the head of water.
Objective
To compute the coefficient of soil using the falling head method.
Apparatus
 Permeameter cell or Mold.
 Standpipe (manometer) panel.
 Timer.
 Graduated cylinder
 Thermometer.

Figure 1 falling head permeability test

Test procedure
1) Identify the standpipe area (a). Keep in mind that the standpipe's diameter is
influenced by the soil's permeability during testing.
2) On the standpipe, identify hl and h2. After that, add distilled water to it.
3) Watch the water level in the standpipe as you let water flow through the sample.
Immediately after it reaches level h1, start the timer.
4) When the standpipe's water level hits h2, pause the timer and note how long it
took for the water level to fall from h1 to h2.
5) Refill the standpipe and repeat the test. Use the same h1and h2 values and obtain
the corresponding elapsed times. Record the temperature of water (T) for each
run.
Calculation
Calculate coefficient of permeability (k) as follows
 aL h 1
k= ln
At h 2
Where:
k = coefficient of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) (m/s).
2
πd
a = the interior area of the standpipe ( a= ).
4
d= interior diameter of standpipe.
L = Length of the sample.
2
πD
A =the interior area of specimen (a= ).
4
D= interior diameter of permeameter.
t = elapsed time of test (s).
h1 = the height of water in the standpipe at time t=0.
h2 = the height of water in the standpipe at time equal to t.