CE 223

Soil Mechanics
Unit-02 (Part 3) Permeability

Dr. Manendra Singh

 What is permeability?
A measure of how easily a fluid (e.g., water) can pass through a porous
medium (e.g., soils).
It is property of soil which describe quantitatively, the ease with
which water flows through that soil.

water

Loose soil Dense soil

- easy to flow - difficult to flow
- high permeability - low permeability
 Bernoulli’s Equation
The energy of a fluid particle is made of:

1. Kinetic energy fluid particle

- due to velocity

z
2. Strain energy
- due to pressure

datum
3. Potential energy
- due to elevation (z) with respect to a datum
 Bernoulli’s Equation
Expressing energy in unit of length:

fluid particle
Velocity head
+
z
Total head = Pressure head
+ datum
Elevation head
 Bernoulli’s Equation
For flow through soils, velocity (and thus velocity head) is very small.
Therefore,

0
fluid particle
Velocity head
+
z
Total head = Pressure head
+ datum
Elevation head

Total head = Pressure head + Elevation head

 Total head in Soil
v2 / 2g represents the kinetic or velocity head of the fluid and also
has units of length. Since water flowing in typically has very small
velocities, the kinetic head or velocity head is typically negligible
compared to that of the pressure and elevation heads. For this
reason the velocity head is neglected in soil mechanics.

Z represents the elevation w.r.t an arbitrary datum. The value is the

distance of the point at which head is being measured above the
datum. This can be either positive if the point is above the datum, or
negative if the point is below the datum.
Therefore →

Total head = Pressure head + Elevation head

 Some Notes
If flow is from Ato B, total head is higher at Athan at B.

Energy is dissipated in water

overcoming the soil
resistance and hence is B
A
the head loss.
 Some Notes
At any point within the flow regime:

Pressure head = pore water pressure/w

Elevation head = height above/below the selected

datum
Definition of Head at a Point

(1)

Note
z(P) z is measured vertically up
from the datum

Datum
 Example: Static water table
1. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

2m
1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
1. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
1. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X z(P ) = 1

5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
1. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X z(P ) = 1

5m thus
P 1m 4
h(P) = w + 1 = 5m
Impermeable stratum 
w
 Example: Static water table
2. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (X ) = 
w w
2m
1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
2. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (X ) = 
w w
2m
z (X ) = 4
1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
2. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (X ) = 
w w
2m
z (X ) = 4
1m X
thus
5m 
P
1m h(X ) = w + 4 = 5m

Impermeable stratum w
 Example: Static water table
2. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the top of the impermeable layer

u (X ) = 
w w
2m
z (X ) = 4
1m X
thus
5m 
P
1m h(X ) = w + 4 = 5m

Impermeable stratum w

The heads at P and X are identical does this imply that the head
is constant throughout the region below a static water table?
 Example: Static water table
3. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the water table

2m
1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
3. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the water table

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
3. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the water table

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X z( P ) = -4

5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
3. Calculation of head at P

Choose datum at the water table

u (P) = 4
2m w w

1m X z( P ) = -4

5m thus
P 1m 4
h(P) = w - 4 = 0m
Impermeable stratum 
w
 Example: Static water table
4. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the water table

2m u w (X) = 1 w
1m X
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
4. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the water table

2m u w (X) = 1 w
1m X z(X) = −1
5m
P 1m
Impermeable stratum
 Example: Static water table
4. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the water table

2m u w (X) = 1 w
1m X z(X) = −1
5m thus
P 1m
w
h(X) = − 1 = 0m
Impermeable stratum w
 Example: Static water table
4. Calculation of head at X

Choose datum at the water table

2m u w (X) = 1 w
1m X z(X) = −1
5m thus
P 1m
w
h(X) = − 1 = 0m
Impermeable stratum w

Again, the head at P and X is identical, but the value is different

 Head
• The value of the head depends on the choice of datum
 Head
• The value of the head depends on the choice of datum
• Differences in head are required for flow (not pressure)
 Head
• The value of the head depends on the choice of datum
• Differences in head are required for flow (not pressure)

It can be helpful to consider

2m imaginary standpipes placed in the
1m X soil at the points where the head is
required
5m
P
1m
Impermeable stratum
 Head
• The value of the head depends on the choice of datum
• Differences in head are required for flow (not pressure)

It can be helpful to consider

2m imaginary standpipes placed in the
1m X soil at the points where the head is
required
5m
P
1m
Impermeable stratum

The head is the elevation of the water level in the standpipe above the
datum
 Hydraulic gradient

Hydraulic gradient (i) betweenAand Bis the total head

loss per unit length.

TH A − THB
i= water

lAB
B
A

length AB, along the stream line-length of flow

 Definition of Hydraulic Gradients

For horizontal flow v=vx

z and k=kH and thus

z
h(C) − h(B)
B C ix 
x
x
O x
 Definition of Hydraulic Gradients

For vertical flow v=vz

z and k=kV and thus

z
B C
x h(A) − h(B)
O x iz 
z
 Flow through soil

⚫ In laminar flow each particle travels along a definite path

which never crosses the path of other particles
⚫ In turbulent flow the paths are irregular and twisting,
crossing and recrossing at random.
Since pores of most soils are small, flow through them is
invariably‘laminar’
 Flow through soil
⚫ When the hydraulic gradient is increased
gradually, the flow remains laminar in Zones I
and II, and the velocity, v, bears a linear
relationship to the hydraulic gradient.
⚫ At a higher hydraulic gradient, the flow becomes
turbulent (Zone III).
⚫ In most soils, the flow of water through the void
spaces can be considered laminar; thus

In fractured rock, stones, gravels, and

very coarse sands, turbulent flow
conditions may exist, and above
equation may not be valid.
Flow of water through soil

There are 2 main issues

⚫ Quantity of water flowing

⚫ Pore water pressures

Flow through a Dam

Unsaturated
Soil

Flow of water
 Water flow through soil-Darcy’s Law

h

Soil Sample

L

Darcy found that the flow rate (volume per unit time) was

⚫ proportional to the head difference h

⚫ proportional to the cross-sectional area A

⚫ inversely proportional to the length of sample L

 Darcy’s Law
q ∝ A h/L
h
q = kA (2a)
L
where k is the coefficient of permeability or hydraulic conductivity.

Equation (2a) may be written as

or
q = kAi

v= ki (2b)

where i = h/L the hydraulic gradient

v = q/A the Darcy or superficial velocity
 Discharge velocity
Discharge velocity (average velocity ), is
the quantity of total water flowing in
unit time, (q) through a unit gross cross-
sectional area,(A) of soil at right angles
to the direction of flow.

Direction
𝑞 of flow

𝑣= 𝐴
 Seepage Velocity
The discharge velocity i s based on the gross cross
sectional area of the soil. However, the actual
velocity of water through the void spaces is
greater than v. The actual velocity of water i n
the void spaces is known as seepage velocity (vs)
 Relationship between the discharge
velocity and the seepage velocity:
If the quantity of water flowing through the
soil in unit time is q, then
𝑞 = 𝐴 𝑣 = 𝐴𝑣𝑣𝑠
where
𝑣𝑠 = seepage velocity
𝐴𝑣 = area of void in
the cross section of
the specimen
v=discharge velocity
A= Area of soil specimen
Relationship between
Seepage the discharge
Velocity
velocity and the seepage velocity

𝐴𝑣= 𝐴𝑣𝑣𝑠

𝐴𝑣
𝑣= 𝑣𝑠 (For unit width, A= V, Av= Vv)
𝐴
𝑣 = 𝑛 𝑣𝑠

Since 𝑛 <1, vs>v

 Constant head permeameter test
• The permeability test is a measure of the rate of the
flow of water through soil.
• In this test, water is forced by a known constant
pressure through a soil specimen of known
dimensions and the rate of flow is determined.
• This test is used primarily to determine the suitability
of sands and gravels for drainage purposes, and is
made only on remolded samples.
• This test is based on the assumption of laminar
flow where k is independent of i (low values of i).
• This test applies a constant head of water to
each end of a soil in a “permeameter”.
• In this type of laboratory setup, the water supply
at the inlet is adjusted in such a way that the
difference of head between the inlet and the
outlet remains constant during the test period.
After a constant flow rate is established, water is
collected in a graduated flask for a known
duration.
 Constant head permeameter
The volume discharge X during a suitable time interval
T is collected.
The difference in head H over a length L is measured by
means of manometers.
Knowing the cross-sectional area A, Darcy’s law gives
X H
= kA
T L
 Constant head permeameter
The volume discharge X during a suitable time interval
T is collected.
The difference in head H over a length L is measured by
means of manometers.
Knowing the cross-sectional area A, Darcy’s law gives
X H
= kA
T L

It can be seen that in a constant head permeameter::

XL
k =
AHT
 Falling Head Permeameter

• Relatively for less permeable soils

Water flows through the sample from a
standpipe attached to the top of the
cylinder.
• The head of water (h) changes with
time as flow occurs through the soil.
• At different times the head of water is
recorded.
• A typical arrangement of the falling-
head permeability test is shown in
figure.
• Water from a standpipe flows through
the soil , the initial head difference H1
at time t=0 is recorded and water is
allowed to flow through the soil
specimen such that the final head
difference at time t = t2 is H2.
 Falling head permeameter
Standpipe
Analysis of area
Consider a time interval t a
H
The flow in the standpipe = −a
t
H1
H
Sample H2
L of area
A
 Falling head permeameter
Standpipe
Analysis of area
Consider a time interval t a
H
The flow in the standpipe = −a
t
H1
The flow in the sample = kAH H
L
Sample H2
L of area
A
 Falling head permeameter
Standpipe
Analysis of area
Consider a time interval t a
H
The flow in the standpipe = −a
t
H1
H
The flow in the sample = kA H
L
Sample H2
and thus L of area
dH H A
−a = kA
dt L
 Falling head permeameter
Solution Standpipe
of area
dH H
−a = kA (4a) a
dt L

Equation (4a) has the solution:

H1
kA
−aℓn(H) = t + constan t (4b) H
L H2
Sample
L of area
A
 Falling head permeameter
Solution Standpipe
of area
dH H
−a = kA (4a) a
dt L

Equation (4a) has the solution:

H1
kA
−aℓn(H) = t + constan t (4b) H
L H2
Sample
L of area
Initially H=H1 at time t=t1 A
Finally H=H2 at time t=t2.
aL ℓn(H1 / H2 )
k= (4c)
A t 2 − t1
Typical PermeabilityValues
 Permeability in Stratified Soil
• In general, natural soil deposits are stratified
• In a stratified soil deposit where the hydraulic
conductivity for flow in a given direction changes
from layer to layer, an equivalent hydraulic
conductivity can be computed to simplify
calculations.
 Permeability in Stratified Soil
Flow in the horizontal direction (parallel to layer

𝑞1
𝑘1 𝐻1
𝑞2
𝑘2 𝐻2 𝑞
𝑞3 𝑘3 𝐻3
𝑞4
𝑘4 𝐻4
L
 Permeability in Stratified Soil
Flow in the horizontal direction (parallel to layer )
The total flow through the cross section in unit time can be written
as:
𝑞 = 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 + 𝑞3 + ⋯ + 𝑞𝑛
𝑣 × 1 × 𝐻 = 𝑣1 × 1 × 𝐻1 + 𝑣2 × 1 × 𝐻2 + ⋯ + 𝑣𝑛 × 𝐻𝑛 (since q=A. v)
But v = k. i
k(eq)h × i × 𝐻 = k 1 × i1 × 𝐻1 + k2 × i2 × 𝐻2 + ⋯ + kn × in× 𝐻𝑛
where
υ = average discharge velocity
υ1 , υ2, υ3, … υn = discharge velocities of flow in
layers
 Permeability in Stratified Soil

k(eq)h
 Permeability in Stratified Soil
Flow in the vertical direction (perpendicular to layers)

For vertical flow, ℎ

the flow rate, q
𝑞
through area
A of each 𝑘1 𝑞1 𝐻1
layer is the same. 𝑘2 𝑞2 𝐻2
H
𝑘3 𝑞3 𝐻3
𝑞 = 𝑞 1 = 𝑞2 = ⋯ = 𝑞𝑛
𝑘4 𝑞4 𝐻4
 Permeability in Stratified Soil

But i=h/L or h = i. L

We know that v=k.i or i = v/k

(v/k(eq)v ) 𝐻 = (v1/k1 ) 𝐻1 + (v2/k2 ) 𝐻2 + ⋯ + (vn/kn ) × 𝐻𝑛

But

(𝐻 /k(eq)v ) = (𝐻1 /k1 ) + (𝐻2 /k2 ) + ⋯ + (𝐻𝑛 /kn )

Problem 1 A stratified soil deposit is shown in Fig. 6.28 along with the
coefficients of permeability of the individual strata. Determine the ratio of kH
to kV
Assuming an average hydraulic gradient of 0.3 in both horizontal and
vertical seepage, find
(i) discharge value and discharge velocities in each layer for horizontal
flow, and
(ii) hydraulic gradient and loss in head in each layer for vertical flow.
 Problem 2
If in Fig. 6.29, soil X has a permeability of 4 x 103 cm/s and the head
lost in soil Y is 9 times the head lost is soil X,
(a) What is the permeability of flow per hour?
(b) What is quantity of flow per hour?
(c) To what elevation would water rise in a piezometer inserted in soil
Y at El. 5 cm? What is the pressure head at this point?
 In-situ Permeability Tests
• Lab. Tests (Constant head , falling head) for determining the
permeability do not give exact if samples used are disturbed.
• Compared with laboratory methods, field methods give a more
reliable value of permeability, since the soil is tested in situ
without disturbing its structure and void ratio.
• The various types of in situ tests commonly used to determine
the permeability of aquifers in the field are:
➢ 1. Pumping-out test.
➢ 2. Pumping-in Test.
• The value of permeability thus obtained is an average for a large
area.
• In situ methods are extremely useful for a homogeneous coarse-
grained deposit for which it is difficult to obtain undisturbed
samples.
• However, in situ tests are costly and can be justified only for
large projects.
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:

• One common method of determining the hydraulic conductivity in the

field is by pumping water at a constant flow rate from a well and
measuring the decrease in groundwater level at observation wells.
Assumptions.
1. The water-bearing layer (called an aquifer) is unconfined and non leaky.
2. The pumping well penetrates through the water-bearing stratum and is
perforated only at the section that is below the groundwater level.
3. The soil mass is homogeneous, isotropic, and of infinite size.
4. Darcy’s law is valid.
5. Flow is radial toward the well.
6. The hydraulic gradient at any point in the water-bearing stratum is
constant and is equal to the slope of groundwater surface (Dupuit’s
assumption)
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:
• During the test water is pumped out at a
constant rate from a test well that has a
perforated layer.
• Several observations wells at various
radial distance are made around the
well.
• Continuous observations of the water
level in the test well and observation
wells are made after the start of
pumping, until a steady state is reached.
• The steady state is established when the
water level in the test and observation
wells becomes constant.
• Rate of flow of ground water into the
well= rate of discharge from pumping
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:
Let dz be the drop in total head over a
distance dr. Then, according to Dupuit’s
assumption, the hydraulic gradient is
dr

dz

The area of flow at a radial distance r from

the center of the pumping well is
A= 2πrh
where h is the thickness of an
elemental volume of the pervious soil
layer.

From Darcy’s law, the flow is

q= k.i.A = k (2πrh) (dz/dr)
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:

Pumping tests lower the groundwater, which then causes stress changes in the soil.
Since the groundwater is not lowered uniformly, as shown by the drawdown
curve in Figure, the stress changes in the soil will not be even.
Consequently, pumping tests near existing structures can cause these
structures to settle unevenly.
You should consider the possibility of differential settlement on existing
structures when you plan a pumping test.
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:
An approximate value of the coefficient of permeability can be
determined if the radius of influence (R) is known or is estimated.
The circle of influence, over which the effect of pumping is observed,
extends to a very large area.
In fact, it gradually merges asymptotically to the water table. The radius
of influence varies between 150 to 300 m. According to Sichardt, it can
be found using the relation

where
R = Radius of influence (m)
D= drawdown (m)
K= coefficient of permeability (m)
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
i. Unconfined Aquifer:
k = [q loge (R/rw)] / [π (D2-h’2)]
where
rw = radius of test well, R = radius of influence,
D = depth of aquifer measured below the water table,
h’ = depth of water in the well.

Above Eq. gives an approximate value

of the coefficient of permeability,
because the slope of the water surface
near the well is steep and Dupuit's
assumption is not justified.
Further, the value of the radius of influence
(R) is also approximate.
D

h’
Problem-3 A sandy layer 10 m thick overlies an impervious stratum. The
water table is in the sandy layer at a depth of 1.5 m below the ground
surface. Water is pumped out from a well at the rate of 100 litres per
second and the drawdown of the water table at radial distances of 3.0 m
and 25.0 m is 3.0 and 0.50 m, respectively. Determine the coefficient of
permeability.
 1. Pumping-Out Tests
ii. Confined Aquifer:
Pumping is continued at a
r
uniform rate until steady state
reached.
In the case of a confined
aquifer, the flow takes place
only through the thickness,
H), of the aquifer, as
shown in Fig.
r is the radial distance from
the center of the well.
Then the area of flow will be

A= 2πrH
 1. Pumping-Out Tests r
ii. Confined Aquifer:

If S1 and S2 are drawdowns at distance r1 and r2, respectively.

S1 = D-h1, S2 = D-h2 therefore h2-h1 = S1-S2

k = q loge(r2/r1) / 2πH(S1-S2)
1. Pumping-Out Tests
ii. Confined Aquifer:
As in case of an unconfined aquifer, an approximate value of k can be
determined if the radius of influence R is known.

k = q loge(R/rw) / 2πH(D-h’)

r
Problem 4 A Well of diameter 20cm fully penetrates a
confined aquifer. After a long period of pumping at a
rate of 2720 lit/min, the observation of drawdown at
10m and 100 m distances from the entre of the well
are found to be 3m and 0.5m respectively. Find the
Coefficient of permeability if thickness of the aquifer is
3m.
 Pumping-In Tests

• Pumping-in tests are conducted to determine the permeability of an

individual stratum of soil, through which a hole is drilled.
• The test gives the permeability of soil close to the bore hole and is
more economical than the pumping-out test.
• However pumping-out tests give more reliable values than that
given by pumping-in-tests.
• There are basically two types of pumping-in tests:
i. Open-End Test
ii. Packer Test
 Pumping-In Tests
i. Open-End Test:
• In this test, a casing pipe is inserted into the soil stratum and the soil in the casing
pipe is removed up to the bottom of the casing.
• Clean water at a temperature slightly higher than that of groundwater is added
under some pressure through a metering system.
• The test set-up for open-end test is shown in Fig.
 Pumping-In Tests
i. Open-End Test:

• The added water seeps into the surrounding soil

stratum through the bottom of the hole.
• The rate of the water added to the hole is
adjusted in such a way that a constant head of
water is maintained in the bore hole and thus
steady state is reached.
• The permeability of the soil close to the bottom
of the casing is calculated from the following
relation:

• where q is the constant rate of the flow supplied

into the bore hole, r is the inside radius of the
casing, h is the difference in elevation between
the water level in the bore hole and GWT, and p
is the pressure at which the water is added to
the bore.
• The open-end test may also be conducted above
GWT; in this case, h in Eq. becomes the head of
water in the bore hole.
 Pumping-In Tests

ii. Packer Test

• Packer tests are performed in the uncased portion of a bore hole.
Packer tests are more commonly used for testing of rocks than of
soils. Figure shows the schematic diagram of packer tests above and
below GWT.
 Pumping-In Tests

a. Single-Packer Test:
• If the bore hole cannot stand without a
casing pipe, the single-packer test is used.
• The packer is placed as shown in Fig. and
water is pumped from the hole, which
comes out of the uncased portion of the
hole below the casing.
• If the casing is used for the full depth of
the stratum, it should have perforations in
the portion of the stratum being tested.
• The lower end is plugged.
• When steady conditions are attained, the
rate of flow is determined.
• Permeability is determined from the
relation –
where r is the radius of the bore hole, L is
the length of the bore hole tested, H is the
difference in water level at entry and
GWT if the test is conducted below GWT
and it is the difference in water level at
entry at middle of the tested length if the
test is conducted above GWT, as shown in
Fig. b
 Pumping-In Tests

b. Double-Packer Test
• If the hole can stand without a casing,
the double-packer test is used.
• A pipe fitted with two packers is placed
in the bore hole and the bottom of the
pipe is plugged.
• The test is conducted in the same way as
a single-packer test and permeability is
determined using Eqs. (10.8) and (10.9).
• The double-packer test is conducted first
in the lowest portion near the bottom of
the hole and later is repeated for upper
layers.
• The packer tests give better results when
conducted below the water table than
above the water table.
 Empirical Relation for K
⚫ Several empirical equation for estimating k
have been proposed in the past .
Some of these are:
1. For uniform sand

k (cm / sec) = cD 102

where:
c = a constant that varies from 1 to 1.5
D10 = the effective size, in mm
 Empirical Relation for K
2. For denseor compacted
sand k (cm / sec) = 0.35D 152

3. For medium to fine sand

k = 1.4e 2 k 0.85
where
k = hydraulic conductivity at a void ratio e
k0.85 = the corresponding value at a void ratio
of 0.85.
Kozeny-Carman equation
Kozeny-Carman equation
 Coefficient of absolute permeability

The coefficient of permeability of a soil depends not only on the properties

of soil but also on the properties of permeant (water).
Attempts have been made to separate the effect of properties of permeant
from the effect of the properties of soil.
Another coefficient, known as the coefficient of absolute permeability (K),
has been introduced. It is related to the coefficient of permeability (k) as
under (from Taylor’s equation):

Therefore, the coefficient of absolute permeability (K) is independent

of the properties of water. It depends only on the characteristics of
soils.
The coefficient of absolute permeability for a soil with a given void
ratio and structure is constant. It has the same value whatever may be
the fluid.
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils

The following factors affect the

permeability of soils

1) Particle size
2) Void ratio of soil.
3) Properties of pore fluid.
4) Shape of particles.
5) Structure of soil mass.
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils

6) Degree ofsaturation.
7) Adsorbed Water.
8) Entrapped air and organic impurities in
water.
9) Temperature.
10) Stratification of soil
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
1. Particle size
The Permeability varies approximately as the
square of grain size. It depends on the
effective diameter of the grain size (D10).
2. Void ratio
Increase in the void ratio increases the area
available for flow hence permeability
increases for critical conditions.
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils

3. Properties ofpore fluid.

Pore fluids are fluids that occupy pore spaces
in a soil or rock. Permeability is directly
proportional to the unit weight of pore fluid
and inversely proportional to viscosity of pore
fluid.
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils

4. Shape of particles
Permeability is inversely proportional to specific
surface e.g. as angular soil have more specific
surface area compared to the round soil
therefore, the soil with angular particles is less
permeable than soil of rounded particles.
Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
5. Structure of soil mass
For same void ratio the permeability is
more for flocculent structure as
compared to the dispended structure
Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
6. Degree of saturation
The permeability of partially saturated
soil is less than that of fully saturated
soil.

Permeability
Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
7. Adsorbed Water
Adsorbed Water means a thin
microscopic film of water surrounding
individual soil grains.
This water is not free to move and hence
reduces the effective pore space an thus
decreases coefficient of permeability.
Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
8. Entrapped air and organic impurities
The organic impurities and entrapped air
obstruct the flow and coefficient of
permeability is reduce due to their
presence.
Air
or
water
pore
Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
9. Temperature
As the viscosity of the pore fluid
decrease with the temperature ,
permeability increases with temperature
, as unit weight of pore fluid does not
change much with change in
temperature.
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
9. Temperature
 Factors Affecting Permeability of Soils
10. Stratification of soil
Stratified soils are those soils which are formed
by layer upon layer of the earth or dust
deposited on each other. If the flow is parallel
to the layers of stratification , the
permeability is max. while the flow in
Perpendicular direction occur with min.
permeability.
 Importance of Permeability

The following applications illustrate the importance of

permeability in geotechnical design:
⚫ Permeability influences the rate ofsettlement of a
saturated soil under load.
⚫ The design of earth dams is very much based upon the
permeability of the soils used.
⚫ The stability of slopes and retaining structures can be
greatly affected by the permeability of the soils
involved.
⚫ Filters made of soils are designed based upon their
permeability.
Thank You