1

The constant-head Permeability test

The falling-head Permeability test

Submitted By
M Ahsan Mehtab

2
Permeability

• Permeability is the measure of the soil’s ability to permit water to

flow through its pores or voids

water

Loose soil Dense soil

- easy to flow - difficult to flow
- high permeability - low permeability
Soil Permeability- Definition

4
 Importance of Permeability

The following applications illustrate the importance of permeability

in geotechnical design:
•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.

5
Importance of Permeability

Permeability influences the rate of settlement of a

saturated soil under load

Filters made of soils are designed based upon their

permeability.

6
Factors affect the permeability

• 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
6)Degree of saturation
7)Absorbed water
8)Entrapped air and organic impurities in water
9)Temperature
10)Stratification of oil

7
 Soils are permeable due to the existence of interconnected
voids through which water flow from points of high energy to points
of low energy.
W.T.

A Impervious Soil

h = hA - hB
perv
i ous
Soil
W.T.
L
hA = total head
B

Impervious Soil
hB= total head
Datum

( hA  hB ) h
i 
L L
 Why does water flow?

If flow is from A to B, the energy is higher at A than

at B.

Energy is dissipated in
overcoming the soil water
resistance and hence is the
head loss.
A B

9
Hydraulic Gradient

• Water below a GWT surface is usually flowing under a

hydraulic gradient, defined as the slope of the free water
surface in the direction of flow.

10
 Hydraulic Gradient

The hydraulic gradient is expressed

as

i=∆h/L
where;

i = hydraulic gradient
∆h = the head loss
L = distance between points A and B

11
Darcy’s Law

Velocity is directly proportional to the Hydraulic Gradient.

Since velocity in soil is small, flow can be considered laminar
v∝i
v = discharge velocity
i = hydraulic gradient
v=ki k = coefficient of permeability
 Darcy’s Law
Since velocity in soil is small, flow can be considered laminar

v= k.i
Where:
v = discharge velocity which is the quantity of
water flowing in unit time through a unit gross cross-sectional area of
soil at right angles to the direction of flow.
k = hydraulic conductivity (has units of L/T) such as
cm/sec and m/sec
i = hydraulic gradient = h/L

Then the quantity of water flowing through the soil per unit time is

Discharge = Q = v. A = k (h/L). A
 Flow in Soil
W.T.

A Impervious Soil

h = hA - hB
perv
i ous
Soil
W.T.
L
hA = total head
B

Impervious Soil
hB= total head
Datum

( hA  hB ) h h
i  Q  k i Ak A
L L L
Coefficient of Permeability

Coefficient of permeability is also known as the Hydraulic conductivity

The hydraulic conductivity k is a measure of how easy the

water can flow through the soil.

Coefficient of permeability can be measured by following two

method/test which a re given below;

The constant-head Permeability test

The falling-head Permeability test

15
To determine the quantity of flow, two parameters are needed

* k = hydraulic conductivity (how permeable the soil medium)

* i = hydraulic gradient (how large is the driving head)

k can be determined using

1- Laboratory Testing  [constant head test & falling head test]
2- Field Testing  [pumping from wells]
3- Empirical Equations
 Hydraulic Conductivity
• The hydraulic conductivity k is a measure of how easy
the water can flow through the soil.
• The hydraulic conductivity is expressed in the units of
velocity (such as cm/sec and m/sec).

17
 Hydraulic Conductivity

• Hydraulic conductivity of soils depends on several

factors:

– Fluid viscosity (): as the viscosity increases, the

hydraulic conductivity decreases
– Pore size distribution
– Temperature
– Grain size distribution
– Degree of soil saturation

18
 Laboratory Testing of Hydraulic Conductivity

Two standard laboratory tests are used to determine

the hydraulic conductivity of soil

•The constant-head test

•The falling-head test.

19
 Constant Head Test
• The constant head test is used primarily for coarse-grained soils.
• This test is based on the assumption of laminar flow (Darcy’s Law
apply)
• ASTM D2434

From Darcy’s Law

h
Q  k i  At  k   At
L
Where:
Q = volume of water collection
A = cross section area of soil specimen
T = duration of water collection

V L
k
h  At
20
Equipment

21
Procedure
• Take 2.5 kg of a sample (as suggested in the Standard Compaction
Test)

• And the desired water content(may be field water content or

Optimum Moisture Content depending on the dry density Density)
spread uniformly, and allow moisture equilibrium to be attained.

• Weigh the empty permeameter.

• Attach the extension collar, grease the inside of the mold and collar,
and keep the assembly on a firm base.

22
Cont…

• Choose the type of compaction and compactive effort to suit the field
condition, and complete the compaction process

• Remove the collar, level the soil, detach the base plate, and weigh.

• Assemble the mold, drainage base, and cap along with porous discs
(saturate the porous discs before use).

• Saturate the specimen, by allowing water to flow with a sufficient

head through it or by immersion for a high-permeability specimen
and by subjecting it to a high head (for a day or two) for the
permeable specimen.

23
Constant Head Test

24
Constant Head Test

25
 Falling Head Test
• The falling head test is mainly for fine-grained soils.
• ASTM D2435 a = cross sectional
area of standpipe

Simplified Procedure:

– Record initial head difference, h1 at

t1 = 0
– Allow water to flow through the soil A = cross L
sectional
specimen area of soil
– Record the final head difference, h2
at time t = t2

26
 Falling Head Test
Calculations
aL  h1  a = cross sectional
k ln  area of standpipe
At  h2 
Where:
A = cross sectional area of the soil
a = cross sectional area of the standpipe
h1 = distance to bottom of the beaker
before the test A = cross
sectional L
h2= distance to bottom of the beaker after
area of soil
the test
L = length of the sample
t = t2-t1

27
 Falling Head Test
Calculations

aL  h1 
k ln 
At  h2 
The above equation is derived assuming:

The flow through the standpipe = flow through the soil

28
Limitations of Laboratory tests for Hydraulic
Conductivity

i. It is generally hard to duplicate in-situ soil conditions

(such as stratification).

ii. The structure of in-situ soils may be disturbed because

of sampling and test preparation.

iii. Small size of laboratory samples lead to effects of

boundary conditions.
30