UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

Centre for Diploma Studies

________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY

LABORATORY REPORT

DAC 22103 / GEOTECHNICAL

Code / Course Name
ENGINEERING
U02 CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY
Experiment No / Title
TEST
Section 5

Group No. 6

Lecturer / Instructor’s CIK ANIS AYUNI BINTI SUIED

Name

Group Members Matric No.

1. NURSYAZWIY WAFIY BIN MOHD NOH
AA211232
2. MUHAMMAD MUHRIZ BIN MAZANI
AA212514

3. NUR AQILAH BINTI ADZMI AA212161

4. DENIEL NAJMUDDIN BIN NORHAIZAT AA211551

Date of
Experiment 17 MAY 2023

Date of
Submission

ULASAN COP DITERIMA/RECEIVED

PEMERIKSA/COMMENTS STAMP
 Experiment Title:
Lab Report Rubric DAC 22103 – GEOTECHNICAL
(Assessment Form) ENGINEERING
SC W R
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 TSC
R T (%)
Theory, • Theory and • Theory and • Theory and other • Theory and other • Theory and other
objective, other other information information information regarding
procedure information information regarding the regarding the the laboratory are well
(10%) regarding the regarding the laboratory are laboratory are presented 2 0
laboratory are laboratory are partly presented presented with some
not presented presented mistakes
minimally
Analysis / • Trends / • Trends / • Trends / patterns • Trends / • Trends / patterns are
Result patterns patterns are are logically patterns are logically analyzed
(25%) are not not analyzed analyzed for the logically • Analysis is insightful
Cognitive
analyzed • • Analysis is most part analyzed • 5 0
Analysis is inconsistent • Analysis is general Analysis is
not thoughtful
relevant
Referen • Reference • Reference • Reference was • Reference was • Reference was
ce (5%) was not was minimally partly presented in presented in proper presented in proper
presented in presented in somewhat proper format and relevant format and relevant to
1 0
the report the report format and to the laboratory the laboratory work /
relevant to the work with some 4
laboratory work minor mistakes 0
Data • Data is not • Data lacks • Good • Accurate • Accurate
(25% represented or precision representation of representation of representation of the
) is not • Greater than the data using the data using data using tables
accurate 20% tables and/or tables and/or graphs and/or graphs •
difference graphs • Data is fairly Graphs and tables are
with accepted labeled and titled 5 0
• Less than 15% precise
Psycho values • Data is precise with
difference with • Less than 10%
motor less than 5%
accepted values • difference with
Precision is accepted values difference with
acceptable accepted values
Participatio • Student was • Participation • Did the job but • Used time pretty • Showed interest, used /
n hostile about was minimal did not appear to well. Stayed time very well, guide 1 0 3
participating be very interested. focused on the 0
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Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

(during Focus lost on experiment most of other students and very

experiment several occasion the time focused on experiment
)
(5%)
Question & • Questions are • Answers • Questions are • Questions are • Questions are
Discussion not answered to answered in answered in answered thoroughly
(15%) • No discussion questions complete sentences complete sentences and in complete
was are • A statement of the • Accurate statement sentences
included or incomplete results of the lab of the results of the • Accurate statement of
shows little •A indicates whether lab indicates the results of lab
effort and statement results support the whether results indicates whether
reflection on hypothesis results support 3 0
of the support the
the lab results is hypothesis hypothesis
incomplete • Possible sources of • Possible sources of
with little error identified error and what was
Affective reflection learned from the lab
on the lab discussed

Conclusion • Conclusion • Conclusion • Conclusion & • Conclusion & • Conclusion &

& & & recommendation recommendation recommendation was
Recommend recommendati recommendati was presented was presented presented accurately
ation (15%) on was not on was somewhat accurate accurately and and relevant to result
presented minimally and relevant to relevant to result obtain from the 3 0
presented result obtain from obtain from the laboratory work /
the laboratory laboratory work 3
work with minor mistakes 0
DAT
NAME OF LECTURER: SIGNATURE:
E:
Note: SCR = SCORE, WT = WEIGHTAGE, TSCR = TOTAL
SCORE
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CENTRE FOR DIPLOMA STUDIES

We, hereby confess that we have prepared this report on our own effort. We also admit
not to receive any help from any third party during the preparation of this report and
pledge that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature (Group Representative)

Name : …………………………………………

Matric No. : …………………………………………..

Date : …………………………………………
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

1.1 INTRODUCTION

A typical laboratory test method for determining the permeability of granular soils with little
to no silt, such as sand and gravel, is the constant head permeability test. This testing
procedure is designed to examine granular soil samples that have been disturbed or
reconstituted.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment are to determine permeability of sands and gravels
containing little or no silt

1.3 THEORY

The most typical permeability cell (permeameter) has a diameter of 75mm and is designed for
sands with particles as small as 5mm. For testing sands with particles up to roughly 10mm, or
medium gravel size, a bigger cell, 114mm, can be employed. The ratio of the cell diameter to
the diameter of the biggest particle in a significant amount should, in general, be at least 12.
The constant head permeability cell is used to test disturbed granular soils that have been
re-compacted into it, either with a specific amount of compaction force or to reach a specific
dry density, or void ratio.

The constant head test involves applying a pressure differential that remains constant, or
under a constant head, to cause water to flow through a column of soil. Equation (1) is used
to determine the permeability of the sample by measuring the amount of water that passes
through the soil in a certain amount of time.

After measuring the steady state permeability, the critical hydraulic gradient may be
calculated, and the effects of instability (boiling and piping) can be seen if the connections to
the cell are set up so that water flows upward through the sample. Use only water devoid of
air, and take precautions to keep air from bubbling up out of the solution during these
experiments.
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Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

𝑞
Permeability, k = 𝐴𝑖 𝑚/𝑠 ………..Equation (1)

Where: q = rate of flow,

A = area of sample,

i = hydraulic gradient, = m s L h h / 1 − 2

h1 - h2 = head difference between 2 reference points

L = distance between 2 reference points

1.4 APPARATUS

Cells having constant head permeability, an air bleed valve, sealing rings,
perforated plates, flow tube connectors, and piezometer nipples. Permeameter
cells, which are frequently employed in laboratory testing, are shown in Figure
1.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Figure 1: Permeameter cells for constant head test: (a) 75mm, (b) 114mm
(Courtesy of ELE International, 2007)

1.5 PROCEDURES

1. To prepare a permeameter cell,

a. Take the cell's top plate assembly off.
b. Calculate the dimensions of:
i.The cell's mean internal diameter (D mm), the distance between the centres of each
set of manometer connection points along the axis (L mm), and the approximate
internal length of the cell overall are all given (H1 mm),
c. Based on the dimensions that were measured, compute the following:
i. The sample's cross-sectional area, A = D2 /4 mm2,
ii. The approximate amount of soil needed to fill the permeameter cell, given by the
formula V = A H1/1000 cm3
iii. The approximate quantity of soil needed, if it were to be deposited at a density of
Mg/m3, would be mass = A H1/1000 g.
2. Select sample
a. Let the soil where the test sample will be obtained to air dry.b.
b. Sieve the soil sample, make sure to get rid of any particles larger than 5 mm.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

c. c.To produce numerous batches of samples roughly equivalent to the mass needed to
fill the permeameter cell, the material needs to be reduced using the standard riffling
method.
3. Prepare sample
a. One of three techniques can be used to insert the sample into the permeameter cell:
i.Rodding, dry pouring, pouring through water, compacting by rodding
4. Build the cell
a. Add a second wire gauze disc, a second porous disc (if one has already been used),
and roughly 40mm of glass balls or gravel filter material on top of the soil.
b. The level of the filter's top surface should be within the range needed to fit the top
plate,
c. Loosen the piston locking collar on the cell top, raise the piston as high as possible,
and then tighten the collar again.
d. Attach the cell top to the cell and gradually tighten the clamping screws to secure it in
place.
e. Unlock the piston's collar and lower the piston till the perforated plate touches the
filter material.
f. Firmly hold it down while tightening the locking collar.
5. Attach a cell
Connect each piezometer point to a manometer tube and close with a pinchcock close to
the cell in accordance with the following steps:
a. Connect the nozzle at the base of the cell to the de-aired water supply, and then close
the inlet cock;
b. Use rigid plastic or thick-walled rubber tubing to connect the top outlet of the cell to
the vacuum, which is fitted with a water trap; and
c. Tighten the air bleed screw on the cell'
6. Saturate and remove the sample's air
7. Connect up for test
8. Perform test:
a. Switch on the constant head device's supply of de-aired water, which should initially
be at a low level;
b. Open the water supply valve connecting it to the cell and open the base outlet cock.
c. Let water to flow through the sample up until it seems like everything is stable and the
water levels in the manometer tubes are steady.
d. Make sure there is a continual tiny overflow on the supply line to the constant head
device; otherwise, the de-aired water would be squandered.
e. To begin a test run, completely empty the measuring cylinder and set the timer to
begin when the cylinder is positioned beneath the outlet overflow.
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

f. Note the time the first run is initiated on the clock.

g. Check the water levels in the manometer tubus (h1, h2, etc.) and gauge the outflow
reservoir's water temperature (TC).
h. top the timer and record the amount of time that has passed to the nearest half second
when the level in the cylinder reaches a predefined mark (800ml).
9. Repeat test
a. Empty the cylinder and perform four to six repeat runs at intervals of roughly five
minutes.
10. Take a cell apart

Figure 2 Figure 3
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

1.6 RESULTS

Constant Head Permeability Test

Location: Geotechnical Engineering Lab, Sample no:

UTHM Pagoh

Operator: Group 6 Section 5 Date: 17 May 2023

Soil description: Sand

Method of preparation: n/a

Sample diameter: 80 𝑚𝑚 Sample length: 232 𝑚𝑚

2 3
Sample area, A: 5026 𝑚𝑚 Sample volume: 1166 𝑐𝑚

Sample dry mass: 1925 𝑔 Sample dry density: 16.19 𝑘𝑁/𝑚

3

S.G. measured/assumed: n/a Voids ratio: n/a

Heights above datum: inlet 290 𝑚𝑚 Heights above datum: outlet 20

𝑚𝑚

Manometer A: 504 Manometer B: 𝑚𝑚 Manometer C: 502 𝑚𝑚

𝑚𝑚

Head difference a to c: 2 𝑚𝑚 Distance difference: 11.5 𝑚𝑚

Flow upwards/downwards Hydraulic gradients: 0.1739

◦
Temperature: 25 𝐶
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Reading:

Time from time interval, Measured Rate of flow, 1 Premeability,

start t flow, Q 𝑞 = 𝑄/𝑡 𝑡 k

min. min. ml. ml/min. ms.

0 2.37 500 210.97 0.65 0.241

2.37 5.19 500 96.34 0.44 0.110

5.19 8.03 500 62.27 0.35 0.071

8.03 10.47 500 47.76 0.31 0.055

1.7 CALCULATION

Sand soil permeability can be calculated using equation for constant head permeability test as
followed:

𝑞
Permeability, 𝑘 = 𝐴𝑖
𝑚/𝑠

Where:

𝑞 = rate of flow

𝐴 = area of sample
ℎ1− ℎ2
𝑖 = hydraulic gradient, = 𝐿
𝑚/𝑠

ℎ1 − ℎ2 = head difference between 2 reference points

𝐿 = distance between 2 reference points

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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

The data for area of sample (A),and hydraulic gradient (i) can be seen on Table 5.1 and the

data for rate of flow (q) can be seen on Table 5.2. The sand permeability need to calculated at

the every time of interval after reaching 500ml.

2
Hydraulic gradient, 𝑖 = 11.5
= 0. 1739

Calculate the sand permeability on every time interval using the equation.

The first time interval point

210.97
𝑘1 = (50267)(0.1739)

𝑘1 = 0. 241𝑚/𝑠

The second time interval point

96.34
𝑘2 = (50267)(0.1739)

𝑘2 = 0. 110𝑚/𝑠

The third time interval point

62.27
𝑘3 = (50267)(0.1739)

𝑘3 = 0. 071𝑚/𝑠

The fourth time interval point

41.76
𝑘4 = (50267)(0.1739)

𝑘4 = 0. 055𝑚/𝑠
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

1.8 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Determine the coefficient of permeability for the given sample of soi for this
laboratory test.

The hydraulic gradient was determined by measuring the difference in water head between
two points along the soil column.The hydraulic conductivity values were calculated for each
water head level, and an average value was obtained.

The relationship between the hydraulic conductivity and the water head was analyzed.
Generally, an increase in water head results in a higher hydraulic conductivity, indicating
improved permeability.It is important to note that the constant head permeability test assumes
that the flow occurs under steady-state conditions and that the soil sample is fully saturated.
Deviations from these assumptions can affect the accuracy of the results.

Sources of Error and Uncertainty:

The accuracy of the measurements taken during the experiment, such as the water flow rate
and the water head, can introduce errors into the results.

Variations in the soil sample's properties, such as particle size distribution, compaction, and
moisture content, can influence the permeability values obtained.

Imperfections in the permeameter apparatus, such as leakage or air entrapment, can affect the
measured flow rates.

Assumptions made during the analysis, such as the uniformity of flow and fully saturated
conditions, may not hold true in practice and can introduce uncertainties into the results.
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

1.9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The water flow through the device was then monitored at three different constant head
levels after a sand sample was compacted in a constant head permeability device. All of the
data was gathered and assessed to produce the tables and graphs in the findings and analysis
sections. These data were paired with lecture notes and laboratory instructions to provide
quick answers to inquiries.

Time is constant for the volume of water, we discover. More time is being given to us.
This is true because gravel soils that absorb water have poor permeability. This gravel's
molecular space is very large. As a result, there is less water infiltration. It seems to depend
on three variables effective air void content, effective void size, and drain down—for a fixed
amount of paste and character. In accordance with the permeability coefficient for a certain
soil value sample, the sample flow rate has a higher value. These outcomes barely deviate
from expectations by an order of magnitude. This is a reasonable range of errors because the
tests have been shown to be accurate.

Current laboratory permeability tests have several drawbacks. Despite the fact that this
Permeability Test is usually used in the laboratory, it does not produce a valid value because
the soil specimens in the laboratory are always disturbed to some degree and do not exist in
the same conditions as in the field. Therefore, laboratory specimens do not accurately model
the in-situ stratum orientation to water flow, and the boundary conditions in the field are
different from those in laboratory simulations, such as smooth mold walls.

Gradients of hydraulic pressure in many fields and laboratories. Complete saturation is

unusual in laboratory samples, and trapped air bubbles can significantly affect the
permeability coefficient. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to extrapolate big in-situ
formation behaviors from small samples of test data. The lab has conclusively determined
that k is inaccurate and unrepresentative. On the other hand, testing on undisturbed samples
might be beneficial.
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CONSTANT HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Lastly,A few factors that might have affected the results negatively were encountered
during the experiment. The human reaction error in use of the stop watch, and also when
using the stop watch that was not correctly calibrated yield inaccurate times measuring,
leading to data that would be different from its true value. Another potential source of error
would be using a leaking permeameter which results in inaccurate volume of water leading to
data that would deviate from its correct value. Also improper assembly of the permeameter
which could lead to inaccurate numbers for flow through the device

2.0 REFERENCE

1. Permeability of Sandy Soil. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://samueljacobkahn.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/8/2/27829715/permeability_of_soi%20ls.p
df

2. Constant Head Permeability Test. (2020). Elementaryengineeringlibrary.com.

https://elementaryengineeringlibrary.com/civil-engineering/soil-mechanics/constant-head-per
meability-test

3. Super User. (2019). Constant head permeability test. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from
Geotechdata.info website:

http://www.geotechdata.info/geotest/constant-head-permeability-test#:~:text=The%20constan
t%20head%20permeability%20test%20involves%20flow%20of%20water%20through,size%
20of%20the%20tested%20material

4. Constant Head Permeability Test. (2020). Retrieved June 13, 2022, from
Elementaryengineeringlibrary.com website:

https://elementaryengineeringlibrary.com/civil-engineering/soil-mechanics/constant-head-per
meability-test

5. Sandoval, G. F. B., Galobardes, I., Teixeira, R. S., & Toralles, B. M. (2017). Comparison
between the falling head and the constant head permeability tests to assess the permeability
coefficient of sustainable Pervious Concretes. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 7,
317–328.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2017.09.001