CE3410 - Construction Materials Laboratory

(Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory Manual)

Experiment # 8-PartA

Laboratory Determination of
Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils (IS2720-XVII)

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai-600 036

August-November 2023
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Printout of Observation and Calculations Sheets (Pages 7

to 10) Available in the Laboratory for All Students
Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Aim: To find the permeability of coarse-grained and fine-grained soil in the laboratory
by employing constant-head and variable-head permeability tests, respectively.

Theory: Permeability is the property of soil that permits the flow of water through its
interconnecting voids. In 1855, Darcy evolved a law in flow through soils known as
Darcy’s law. It states that the rate of flow of water (q) through a porous bed is directly
proportional to the area of the bed (A) and the difference between the water heads at
the inlet and outlet faces of the head (h) and inversely proportional to the thickness (L)
of the bed. Darcy’s law for the permeability of soil can be written as follows:
q = k·i·A (1)
where, q is the rate of discharge; A is the area of the cross-section through which
water flows; i (i.e., h/L) is the hydraulic gradient; h is the difference in the head of water
at the inlet and outlet; L is the thickness of the soil.
The permeability coefficient is equal to the water flow rate through a unit cross-
sectional area under a unit hydraulic gradient. In the constant head method, the head-
causing flow through the specimen remains constant throughout the test. The
coefficient of permeability can be computed empirically using the effective size of the
soil (diameter) and experimentally with the help of the permeability and consolidation
tests. The coefficient of permeability at room temperature can be obtained using the
following relation.
k = VL/hAt = Q/Ai (cm/s) (2)

Apparatus needed to perform hydraulic conductivity test on soils

General equipment
a) Permeameter mould (having an internal diameter of 10 cm, an effective height of
123.73 cm, and a capacity of 1000 cm3, with a drainage facility via base and
bottom).
b) Detachable collar, porous stones (2 nos.).
c) Compacting rammer.
d) Filter papers.
e) Stopwatch.
Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

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 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

f) Straight edge.
g) Water collecting jar.
h) Thermometer.
i) Weighing balance of 0.1g accuracy.

Constant head method

a) Constant head water supply reservoir

Variable (falling) head method

a) Graduated glass tube (internal diameter 5 mm to 20 mm)
b) Support frame and clamps

Procedure to perform constant head permeability test

a) Measure the internal dimensions of the permeameter. Weigh the permeameter
mould along with the base plate.
b) Place the filter paper on the bottom porous stone.
c) Take about 2.5 kg of the soil sample from thoroughly mixed wet soil in the mould.
d) Compact the soil to the required density using a Proctor hammer.
e) Trim the excess soil with the top of the mould.
f) Clean the outside of the mould and weigh the mould with compacted soil. Find the
mass of the compacted soil in the mould.
g) Take a representative soil specimen in a moisture container for water content
determination.
h) Place a filter paper and a porous disc and fix the drainage cap using rubber gaskets
i) Connect the water reservoir to the outlet at the base, and allow the water to flow
upward till it has saturated the sample.
j) Disconnect the reservoir from the outlet at the bottom.
k) Connect the constant head reservoir to the drainage cap inlet.
l) Open the stop cock, and allow the water to flow downward so that all the air is
removed
m) Close the stop cock, and allow the water to flow through the soil till a steady state
is reached.
n) Start the stopwatch, and collect the water flowing out of the base in a measuring
jar for some convenient time interval (t).

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 3 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

o) Repeat this thrice, keeping the time interval constant. Check that the quantity of
water collected is approximately the same each time.
p) Measure the difference in the head levels between the constant head reservoir and
the outlet of the permeameter mould.
q) Record the temperature of the water used in the test.

Procedure to conduct variable (falling) head permeability test

j) Steps (a) to (i) are the same as in the constant head permeability test.
k) Connect the standpipe of suitable diameter to the inlet at the top. Fill the standpipe
with water.
l) Open the stop cock at the top, and allow the water to flow out till all the air in the
mould is removed.
m) Close the stop cock, and allow the water from the standpipe to flow through the
soil specimen.
n) Note the time h1 at time t1 of the water level in the standpipe and start the stopwatch
simultaneously. Allow sufficient time, so the water level lowers by about 15 to 20
cm.
o) Note the height h2 at time t2 of the water level in the standpipe.
p) Repeat the test thrice.

Calculation concerning the constant head permeability test

Permeability at ToC temperature
𝑉 𝑄
kT (cm/s) = = (3)
𝐴𝑖𝑡 𝐴𝑖
𝛾𝑇
k27 = 𝑘 𝑇 (4)
𝛾27

where, Q is the quantity of water collected (cm3) in time t (second); i is the hydraulic
gradient (h/L); L is the length of soil specimen (cm); h is the constant hydraulic head
(cm); A is the cross-sectional area of soil specimen (cm2); k27 is the permeability at
27 oC; 𝛾27 is the viscosity of the water at 27 oC; 𝛾𝑇 is the viscosity of the water at T
oC.

Calculation pertaining to variable (falling) head permeability test

The coefficient of permeability at a given temperature (T °C)
𝑎𝐿 ℎ
kT = 2.303 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 ( 1) (5)
𝐴𝑡 ℎ 2

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 4 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

𝑇
k27 = 𝑘 𝑇 (6)
27

where, a is the cross-sectional area of the standpipe (cm2); L is the length of soil
specimen (cm); A is the cross-sectional area of soil specimen (cm2); t = (t1-t2) in
seconds; t1 is the time at h1, and t2 is the time at h2; h1 is the initial head of water at
time t1 (cm); h2 is the initial head of water at time t2 (cm); k27 is the coefficient of
permeability at 27 oC; 27 is the viscosity of the water at 27 oC;  𝑇 is the viscosity of

the water at T oC. Table 1 indicates the typical values for the coefficient of permeability
of various soils. Further, Table 2 presents the variation of the viscosity of water with
temperature.

Table 1 Typical values for the coefficient of permeability of different soils

Type of soil k (m/s)
Large stones or Boulders 0.1 to 1
Coarse gravel 0.01
Gravelly sand 10-3
Sand 10-4
Fine sand 10-5
Silt 10-6 to 10-8
Non-plastic clay 10-9
Plastic clay 10-10 to 10-12

Table 2 The viscosity of water (values in milli Poises)*

°C 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 17.94 17.32 16.74 16.19 15.68 15.19 14.73 14.29 18.87 18.48
10 13.10 12.74 12.39 12.06 11.75 11.45 11.16 10.88 10.60 10.34
20 10.09 9.84 9.61 9.38 9.16 8.95 8.75 8.55 8.36 8.18
30 8.00 7.83 7.67 7.51 7.36 7.31 7.06 6.92 6.79 6.66
40 6.54 6.42 6.30 6.18 6.08 5.97 5.87 5.77 5.68 5.58
50 5.29 5.40 5.32 5.24 5.15 5.07 4.99 4.92 4.84 4.77
60 4.70 4.63 4.56 4.50 4.43 4.37 4.31 4.24 4.19 4.13
70 4.07 4.02 3.96 3.91 8.86 3.81 3.76 3.71 3.66 3.62
80 8.57 3.53 3.48 3.44 3.40 3.36 3.32 3.28 3.24 3.20
90 3.17 3.13 3.10 3.06 3.08 2.99 2.96 2.93 2.90 2.87
100 2.84 2.82 2.79 2.76 2.78 2.70 2.67 2.64 2.62 2.59
*Data from International Critical Tables, Vol. V., McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1929.

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

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 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Precautions to be taken during the hydraulic conductivity test

a) Compaction of the given sample should be uniform over the mould volume.
b) Allow flow for sufficient time to ensure all entrapped air has escaped before
taking observations.
c) Ensure no leakage through tube joints and mould joints.

Limitations of laboratory hydraulic conductivity test

a) Sample disturbance – may not truly represent the field condition.
b) Flow direction in the field may not be the same as flow orientation in laboratory
tests.
c) The hydraulic gradient in the field is made low (0.2 to 1) compared to that used in
the laboratory (1 to 6).
d) Field temperature, particularly at lower depth, is less than the laboratory room
temperature.

Reference:
IS2720: Part XVII (2021). Method of test for soils: Laboratory determination of
permeability. Indian Standards Institution, New Delhi, India

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 6 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Observations: Constant head permeability test

Date: ________________Roll number and signature of the TA:_____________

Name of the Student: __________________ Registration Number:____________

Soil sample (Undisturbed/remolded) :

Diameter of sample (cm) = Length of sample, L (cm) =
Area of sample, A (cm2) = Volume of the sample, V (cm3) =
Temperature of water, T (oC)= Weight of the mould + sample (g) =
Empty weight of the mould (g) = Weight of the sample, W (g) =
Bulk unit weight of the sample in g/cm3 (𝛾𝑏 )= W/V =
Weight of container + wet sample, g (W1) =
Weight of container + dry sample, g (W2)=
Weight of container, g (W3)=
Weight of the dry sample, Ws (g) = W2-W3=
𝑊1 −𝑊2
Water content of the sample, w = (%)=
𝑊𝑠

Dry unit weight of the sample in g/cm3, 𝛾𝑑 =𝛾𝑏 /(1 + 𝑤)=

𝑉𝐺𝑠 −𝑊𝑠
Specific gravity of specimen, Gs = Void ratio, e = =
𝑊𝑠
𝑤𝐺𝑠
Degree of saturation, S = =
𝑒
S. No. Hydraulic Hydraulic Time, t Quantity of Coefficient of permeability, k27=𝑘 𝑇
𝑉 𝑄 𝑇
head, h gradient, i=h/L (s) water, V 27
kT = =
(cm) (-) (cm3) 𝐴𝑖𝑡 𝐴𝑖
(cm/s)

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 7 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Results of hydraulic conductivity of soils from constant head permeability test

Coefficient of permeability of coarse-grained soil, k27 (cm/s)=
Dry unit weight of the coarse-grained soil (g/cm3) =
Degree of saturation of coarse-grained soil (%) =
Void ratio of the soil specimen (-) =
Porosity of the soil specimen (-) =

Inferences on hydraulic conductivity of soils obtained from constant head

permeability test (in your own 200 words)

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 8 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Observations: Variable (falling) head permeability test

Date: ________________Roll number and signature of the TA:_____________

Name of the Student: __________________ Registration Number:____________

Soil sample type (undisturbed/remolded) :

Diameter of sample (cm) = Length of sample, L (cm) =
Area of sample, A (cm2) = Volume of the sample, V (cm3) =
Temperature of water, T (oC)= Diameter of standpipe, d (cm) =
Area of standpipe, a (cm2) = Weight of the mould + sample (g) =
Weight of the mould (g) = Weight of the sample, W (g) =
Bulk unit weight of the sample in g/cm3 ( 𝛾𝑏 )= W/V =
Weight of container + wet sample, g (W1) =
Weight of container + dry sample, g (W2)=
Weight of container, g (W3)=
Weight of the dry sample, Ws (g) = W2-W3=
𝑊1 −𝑊2
Water content of the sample, w = =
𝑊𝑠

Dry unit weight of the sample in g/cm3 (𝛾𝑑 ) = 𝛾𝑏 /(1 + 𝑤) =

Specific gravity of specimen, Gs =
𝑉𝐺𝑠 −𝑊𝑠
Void ratio, e = =
𝑊𝑠
𝑤𝐺𝑠
Degree of saturation, S = =
𝑒
S. Time, Head, Time Head Time Permeability (cm/s) 𝛾𝑇
k27 = 𝑘 𝑇
No. t1 h1 t2 h2 interval 𝑎𝐿 ℎ 𝛾27
kT = 2.303 𝐴𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 (ℎ1 )
(s) (cm) (s) (cm) t = t2-t1 2

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

Page 9 of 10
 Experiment # 8-PartA: Laboratory Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils

Results of hydraulic conductivity of soils from variable head permeability test

Coefficient of permeability of fine-grained soil, k27 (cm/s)=
Dry unit weight of fine-grained soil (g/cm3) =
Degree of saturation of fine-grained soil (%) =

Inferences on hydraulic conductivity of soils obtained from variable head

permeability test (in your own 200 words)

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai- 600 036

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