Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET

ASSIGNMENT:3

Unit 3: Permeability & Shear strength of soil (16-Marks)

1. Define permeability
The permeability of a soil is a measure of the ability of soil to allow water to pass through
it. It is typically represented by the letter 'k' and is measured as the volume of water (m3)
that can pass through an area (m2) per second (m3/ m2/s, or more simply m/s).

2. State and explain factors affecting permeability.

1. Particle size.
2. Properties of pore fluid.
3. Voids ratio.
4. Soil fabric and soil stratification.
5. Degree of saturation and foreign matter.
6. Effect of adsorbed water

3. Explain Darcy law.

The flow of water can be of two types.
i. Laminar flow and
ii. turbulent flow.
The flow through the pores of soil due to their small size is almost laminar.
Assuming the flow to be laminar, Darcy's law can be applied to it.

Darcy's law states that for laminar flow the velocity of flow, v is proportional to the
Hydraulic gradient i,
v = Ki
K- Constant of proportionality / Darcy's coefficient of permeability
This equation is known as Darcy's law. The constant of proportionality is known as
coefficient of permeability.
Coefficient of permeability:
• coefficient of permeability k can be defined as the velocity of flow under a unit
hydraulic gradient through a soil.
• It is a property of soil
• Unit-m/s or cm/s
K=v/i

4. Determination of coefficient of permeability by constant head method and falling

head method.
A. Procedure of determination of coefficient of permeability by constant
head method:
1. Take 2.5 Kg air dried soil sample passing through 9.5mm IS sieve. Add the water in
soil equals to its optimum moisture content (OMC) to get required density.
2. Apply grease to inside surface of mould, base plate and collar. Clamp the base plate
with extension collar.
3. Fill the prepared soil sample in permeameter in three different layers. Compact each
layer using 25 blows using rammer.
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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
4. Remove the collar and trim the excess soil for mould. Remove compaction base plate.
5. Cover the soil with filter paper and porous stones on both sides.
6. Place the mould assembly in the drainage base. Fix the top cap on it using rubber
sealing gasket.

7. Connect the inlet nozzle of permeameter to outlet of constant head water tank. Close
the air vent of mould.
8. Open outlet of permeameter and allow water to flow in the bottom water tank. Wait
for some time to establish steady flow.
9. Measure head causing flow ‘h’. Collect quantity of water (Q) in the measuring cylinder
for suitable time interval (t).
10. Calculate the coefficient of permeability of soil as

Q´L
K= cm/s.
A´ h´t

11. Repeat all above steps two more times to get average coefficient of permeability of
given soil sample.

B. Procedure of determination of coefficient of permeability by Falling head

method:
1. Take 2.5 Kg air dried soil sample passing through 9.5 mm IS sieve.
2. Add the water in soil equals to its optimum moisture content to get required
density.
3. Apply grease to inside surface of mould, base plate and collar. Clamp the base
plate with extension collar.
4. Fill the prepared soil sample in permeameter in three different layers. Compact
each layer using 25 blows using rammer.
5. Remove the collar and trim the excess soil for mould. Remove compaction base
plate.
6. Cover the soil with filter paper and porous stones on both sides.
7. Place the mould assembly in the drainage base. Fix the top cap on it using rubber
sealing gasket.
8. Open air vent at top of permeameter mould to remove air from soil.
9. Immerse the mould with soil specimen in water tank for saturating it about 24
hours.
10.Connect inlet nozzle of permeameter to the stand pipe filled with water. Close
air valve of permeameter.
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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
11.Open outlet of permeameter and allow water to flow out. Wait for some time to
establish steady flow.

12.Measure the head ‘h1’ and time ‘t1’.

13.Let the water level in stand pipe to fall to lower head. Note the head ‘h2’ and
corresponding time ‘t2’.
14. Calculate the coefficient of permeability of soil as K= 2.303x a x L /(Ax t)] x
Log10 (h1 / h2 ).
15. Repeat all above steps two more times to calculate the average coefficient of
permeability of given soil sample.
Difference between Constant head and falling head

Constant head falling head

It is suitable for coarse grained soil
Water level is in constant head chamber
is constant throughout experiment.
Coefficient of permeability is
K=Q/t X L/b X l/A
Water collected through soil mass is
It is suitable for fine grained soil
Water level in stand pipe falls
Coefficient of permeability is
K=2.3 X QL/At X h1/h2
Water collected through soil mass
is very less

5. Explain seepage through earthen structure.

Seepage can be considered a two-dimensional flow. Where velocity varies in both
horizontal and vertical directions

Whereas Darcy's equation considers one dimensional flow,

for analysis of seepage, Laplace's equation is used.
According to Darcy's equation the velocity of flow of water through soil is,
V = Ki
And the discharge is,
q=VA

Here the velocity v is called the fictitious or superficial velocity of flow, because the
actual flow is through the area of voids and not through the entire cross-sectional area.

6. Define seepage pressure and seepage velocity.

i. seepage pressure

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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
The pressure exerted by water on the soil through which it percolates called as seepage
pressure, Ps
it is given by Ps= hY
ii. seepage velocity.
The actual velocity of flow, flowing in the voids is called the seepage velocity, Vs
We know, q=vA=VsAv
Where Av is the area of voids
V=Vs X Av/A
Since,
Av/A = Vs/v =n
Where, n = porosity
V= nVs
=(e/e+1)Vs
Seepage velocity is always greater than discharge velocity

7. Define phreatic line, equipotential line and flow line.

1. phreatic line:
• when flow of water occurs through soil, the top surface of the flow zone is called the
phreatic surface and in section, the top line of flow zone is called phreatic line.
• in earth retaining structures, the flow due to seepage will cause the phreatic line.

2. Equipotential line
• Equipotential lines are the lines joining points of equal pressure along the flow lines.
or
it is defined as lines along which the points have equal heads of water.
• Equipotential lines are always perpendicular to flow line.
3. flow line.
When water flows through soil in laminar flow conditions, the paths along which the
layers of water flow are called flow lines.
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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET

8. Define flow-net and State characteristics of flow-net.

Definition of flow net:
It is the grid network formed due to intersection of flow (stream) lines and equipotential
lines, called as flow net.
Characteristics of flow net:
1. The flow lines and equipotential lines in the flow net intersects each other orthogonally
2. The area or field formed due to intersection of these lines is approximately square
3. The quantity of water flowing through each channel is almost same.
4. Smaller dimensions of the field indicate greater hydraulic gradient and more velocity
of flow.
5. The potential drop between two adjacent equipotential lines is same.

Application of Flow-net
1. Determination of discharge
2. Determination of total head
3. Determination of pressure head
4. Determination of hydraulic gradient
5. Calculating quantity of seepage
6. For stability of earthen dam

9. Define: Cohesion and internal friction.

Cohesion (C):
Cohesion is the property of soil to hold the soil particles together. It is force of attraction
between same particles.
Presence of cohesion in soil called cohesive soil e.g. clay and organic soil
If cohesion is negligible then soil is cohesionless soil e.g. sand, moorum etc.
Internal friction:
The resistance to deformation by continuous shear displacement of soil particles upon action
of shear stress is called internal friction.
When the particles move against one another, a force of friction of comes into play in the
opposite direction of motion.

12. Explain types of soil and shear failure of soil.

1. cohesive soil
Presence of cohesion in soil called cohesive soil e.g. clay and organic soil

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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
2. cohesionless soil
If cohesion is negligible then soil is cohesionless soil e.g. sand, moorum etc.
shear failure of soil
When there is load on a soil, shear stress with different intensities will develop along
different planes. A pair of planes perpendicular to each other will be the planes with
maximum shear.
If this maximum applied shear stress is more than the shear strength, failure will occur along
one of the two planes of maximum shear.
Basically there are three types of failure
General shear failure (gsf)- occur at low strength & low compactibility.
local shear failure (lsf)-occur in medium dense soil having medium compactibility.
Punching shear failure (psf)- occur in loose soil having high compactibility.
Field situation of shear failure
• upstream slope of earthen dam, especially during sudden draw down
• Earth behind retaining wall, especially surcharge
• Under foundations along planes of maximum shear
• Subgrade of road

10. Explain Mohr-coulomb failure theory.

Soil generally fails in shear. At the failure surface, shear stress reaches the shear strength
(tf) of the soil. It the failure surface, sliding between the particles takes place as shown in
Figure 10.1. The resistance that the soil offers during deformation is mainly due to the shear
resistance between the particles at their contact points at the failure surface. No crushing of
individual particle takes place. According to Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, the shear
strength of the soil can be expressed as:

Where,
c is the cohesion and Ø is the angle of internal friction of the soil.
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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
σ is the applied normal stress.
The line satisfying the Eq. (10.1) is called the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelop (as shown in
Figure 10.2 with red color). In Figure 10.2, it is shown that tf is the maximum stress soil can
take without failure under an applied vertical stress σ (with blue color). Figure 10.3 shows
the Mohr circle of two soil elements one at the failure surface (red color) and one at any
other location (blue color). The Mohr circle touches the failure envelop in case of soil
element taken from location of failure surface, whereas Mohr circle of the soil element taken
from other than the location of failure surface is situated below the failure envelop. Keeping
σ3 constant, if vertical stress (σ1) increases the Mohr Circle becomes larger and finally it
will touch the failure envelop and failure will take place (as shown in Figure 10.4). Figure
10.5 shows the Mohr circle for total stress and effective stress condition. The Eq. (10.1)
represents the shear strength in terms of total stress (σ). In terms of effective stress (σ' = σ -
u), the shear strength of the soil can be expressed as:

11. A sample of soil 10 cm height and 50 cm2 in c/s area water flows through the soil
under a constant head of 80 cm. Water collected in 9 minutes is 450 C.C. Find the
coefficient of permeability.

Given: L = 10 cm,
A = 50cm2
h = 80 cm,
t = 9 min.=540 sec.,
Q = 450 cc
Calculate: K=?
Coefficient of permeability by constant head method, K = Q ´ L
A´h´t
K = 450 ´10
50 ´80 ´ 540
K = 2.083´10-3 cm/s

12. A soil sample is tested in constant head permeameter, dia of sample is 4 cm and
length are 10 cm under constant head 15 cm discharge was found to be 70 cc in 10 mins.
Find coefficient of permeability.
Solution : Given: D = 4 cm , K= ? ,L = 10 cm , H= 15 cm
Q = 70 cc, T = 10 min = 600 sec S
To find coefficient of permeability by constant head method
K = Q.L/(A.h.t) Here, cm/s
Area of soil sample= A= Π/4 D2 = Π/4 x 42 = 12.566 cm2
K = 70 x 10/(12.566 x 15x 600)
K = 6.189 x 10-3 cm/sec

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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
13. A sample of soil 10 cm height and 50 cm2 in c/s area water flows through the soil
under a constant head of 80 cm. Water collected in 9 minutes is 450 C.C. Find the
coefficient of permeability.

Given: L = 10 cm, A = 50cm2 , h = 80 cm,

t = 9 min.=540 sec.,
Q = 450 cc
Calculate: K=?
Coefficient of permeability by constant head method, K = Q ´ L
A´h´t
K = 450 ´10
50 ´80 ´ 540
K = 2.083´10-3 cm/s

14. A soil sample is tested in constant head permeameter, dia of sample is 4 cm and
length are 10 cm under constant head 15 cm discharge was found to be 70 cc in 10 mins.
Find coefficient of permeability.
Solution
Given: D = 4 cm , K= ? ,L = 10 cm , H= 15 cm
Q = 70 cc, T = 10 min = 600 sec S
To find coefficient of permeability by constant head method
K = Q.L/(A.h.t) Here, cm/s
Area of soil sample= A= Π/4 D2 = Π/4 x 42 = 12.566 cm2
K = 70 x 10/(12.566 x 15x 600)
K = 6.189 x 10-3 cm/sec
15. Draw shear strength envelope for purely cohesive and cohesion less soil with sketch.
shear strength:
It can be defined as the maximum value of shear stress that can be mobilized within a soil
mass.

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Unit- 3 16-Marks TGPCET
16. Explain with figure laboratory determination of shear strength of soil with direct
shear test.
1. Take 2.5 Kg air dried soil sample passing through 4.75 mm and retained on 2.36mm
IS sieve.
2. Measure the internal dimensions of the shear box. Fix the upper part of the box to the
lower part using the locking screws. Attach the base plate to the lower part.
3. For performing a UU test, plain toothed grids (without perforations) are used at the top
and bottom faces of samples. Place the porous stone over the grid plate.
4. Weigh the shear box with base plate, grid plate and porous stone. Place the soil
specimen in the box. Tamp it directly in the shear box at the required density.
5. When the soil in the top half of the shear box is filled, weigh the box with soil
specimen. Weigh the box inside the box contained and fix the loading pad on the box.
Mount the box contained on the loading frame.
6. Bring the upper half of the box in contact with the proving ring. Check the contact by
giving a slight movement.
7. Mount the loading yoke on the ball placed on the loading pad. Mount the dial gauge
on the loading yoke to record the vertical displacement and another dial gauge on the
container to record the horizontal displacement.
8. Place the slotted weights of 0.5 N/mm2 on the loading yoke to apply a normal stress.
Note the reading of the vertical displacement dial gauge.
9. Remove the locking screws. Using the spacing screws, raise the upper part slightly
above the lower part such that the gap is slightly larger than the maximum particle
size. Remove the spacing screws.
10. Apply the horizontal shear load at a constant rate of strain of 0.2mm/minute till shear
failure of soil. Record the reading of the proving ring, the vertical displacement dial
gauge and the horizontal displacement dial gauge at regular time intervals to know the
shear stress at failure.
11. Repeat the test on identical specimens under the normal stresses of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 N/mm2
etc. Plot the graph by taking the value Normal Stress as abscissa and the maximum
shearing stress as ordinate to find shear strength of soil

Fig: Direct Shear Test Apparatus Fig: Graph of Normal stress vs. Shear stress

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