1.

0 OBJECTIVE

To determine the coefficient of permeability of soils

2.0 THEORY BACKGROUND

In the falling head test a relatively short sample is connected to a standpipe which
provides both the head of water and the means of measuring the quantity of water
flowing through the sample. Several standpipes of different diameters are normally
available from which can be selected the diameter most suitable for the type of material
being tested.

The falling head principle can be applied to an undisturbed sample in a sampling tube and
to a sample in an oedometer consolidation cell. The equation used in determine the
permeability of fine grained soils is given in Eqn (1).

………..Eqn (1) aL h 
Permeability, k  log e  1 
A(t 2  t1 )  h2 
The time difference (t2-t1) can be expressed as the elapsed time, t (minutes). The heights
h1 and h2 and the length, L are expressed in millimetres, and the areas A and a in square
millimetres. Eqn (1) then becomes Eqn (2).

………..Eqn (2) aL h 
Permeability , k  log e  1 ( mm / s )
Ax 60t  h2 
To convert natural logarithms to ordinary (base 10) logarithms, multiply by 2.303. If k is
epxressed in m/s, the above equation becomes Eqn (3).

………..Eqn (3) 2.303aL h 

Permeability , k  log10  1 ( m / s )
At  h2 
Where: a = area of cross-section of standpipe tube,
A = area of cross section of sample
h1 = heights of water above datum in standpipe at time t1
h2 = heights of water above datum in standpipe at time t2
L = heights of sample
t = elapsed time in minutes

3.0 APPARATUS

Figure 1: Compaction permeameter

4.0 PROCEDURES
 1. Assemble apparatus,
a. The apparatus is set up as shown in Figure 1.
2. Calibrate manometer tubes,
a. The areas of cross-section of the three manometer tubes should be
determined as follows for each tube:
3. Run test
a. Screw clip at inlet is opened to allow water to flow down through the
sample, and the water level is observed in the standpipe.
b. As soon as it reaches the level h1, the timer clock is started.
c. The time is observed and recored when the level reaches h3, and when it
reaches h2, then the clock is stopped.
d. Screw clip at inlet is closed.

4. Repeat test
5. Calculate permeability
6. Report result

5.0 RESULTS
 Falling Head Permeability test

Sample diameter, D: 0.1m Sample length, L: 0.11 m

Sample area, A: 7.85x10-3 m2

Standpipe no. 1 2 3
Diameter, d 1.7x10-3 m 2.4x10-3 m 4.0x10-3 m
Area,a 2.27 x10-6m2 4.52 x10-6m2 1.26 x10-6m2

Reading:

Test Stand a h1 (m) h2 (cm) t(sec) A (cm2) L (cm) k (m/sec)

No. pipe
No.
1 1 2.27 x10-6m2 0.2 1.56x10-4
2 4.52 x10-6m2 1.0 6.2x10-5
3 1.26 x10-6m2 1.7 1.02x10-5
2 1 2.27 x10-6m2 0.4 7.79x10-5
2 4.52 x10-6m2 0.8 0.3 1.0 6.21x10-5
3 1.26 x10-6m2 1.6 1.08x10-5
0.79 11
3 1 2.27 x10-6m2 0.2 1.56x10-4
2 4.52 x10-6m2 1.0 6.2x10-5
3 1.26 x10-6m2 2.2 7.86x10-6

6.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION (Test 1)

1. The coefficient of permeability for the given sample of soil.

= 2.303aL h 
Permeability , k  log10  1 ( m / s )
At  h2 
k1= 2.3( 2.27  10 6 )(0.11) 0.8
3
log10 ( )
(7.85  10 )(0.2) 0.3
 =1.56x10-4 m/s

k2= 2.3(4.52  10 6 )(0.11) 0.8

3
log10 ( )
=6.2x10-5 m/s (7.85  10 )(1.0) 0.3

k3= 2.3(1.26  10 6 )(0.11) 0.8

3
log10 ( )
(7.85  10 )(1.7) 0.3

=1.02x10-5 m/s

7.0 DISCUSSION

The test of falling head permeability test is carried out to determine the
permeability of soils of intermediate and low permeability than is less than 10 -4 m/s. The
coefficient of permeability is defined as the flow rate under laminar flow conditions
through a unit cross sectional are of porous medium under unit hydraulic gradient.

The average for the coefficient of permeability is 6.72 x 10-5m/s. Based on Figure
3, the sample soil is classified as silt or silt clay.

From here, we knew that silt clay comprised mainly of intermediate sized
particles, are fertile, fairly well drained and hold more moisture than sandy soils, but are
easily compacted. Silt as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.002 to
0.05 millimeter in diameter. Silt has a relatively limited surface area and little chemical
activity. Soils high in silt may compact under heavy traffic and this affects the movement
of air and water in the soil.

8.0 CONCLUSION

As the result, we can able to describe the general accepted practice to determine the
coefficient of permeability of silts and clay, identify the relationship between
permeability and pore size of the fine grained soils and measure the coefficient of
permeability of silts and clays.

Permeability can be defined as the ability of a porous medium to allow the flow of
a fluid through it, typically expressed as the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity, (k). A
porous medium is a material, granular or fibrous, containing void spaces. In this
particular project, the medium studied was Superpave designed asphalt mixtures and the
fluid used was distilled water at room temperature.

This test was initially investigated for us to calculate the permeability values for
samples tested using this setup, as well as the permeameter assembly and process itself is
easily checked for consistency.

Therefore, the objective of this experiment is accepted.

9.0 REFERENCE

-http://www.geotechdata.info/geotest/falling-head-permeability-test.html

-http://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/variable-head-permeability-test-of-soil/3024/