Objective:

To introduce the student to a commonly used method of determining the coefficient of permeability of a cohesion less (granular) soil.

General Discussion:
Permeability (K): - Is a constant of proportionality relating to the ease with which a fluid passes through a porous medium. - Measure the ease of water flow in soil. We need (k) : 1. 2. 3. 4. To calculate amount of flow throw earth dam. To calculate amount of flow throw dam foundation. To evaluate soil (cohesive) settlement. Land fills (Toxic material leakage).

There are two directly general laboratory methods for determining the coefficient of permeability : 1. Constant head method. 2. Falling head method. Both methods use Darcy's law given as:

V = k i
And the corresponding flow rate (or quantity per unit time) is

q = k i A
And

Q = q * t = (v * A) * t = k * i * A * t K = (Q * L) / (A * hL * t)

Finally: Where: Q = discharge in cm3. q = rate of discharge in cm3/sec.

i = ( hL / L ) = hydraulic gradient.(dimensionless). A = cross section area of sample ( with diameter = 7.5 cm the area equal to 44.179 cm2). K = coefficient of permeability in cm/sec. L = length of sample. hL = total head difference across the flow path of length L.

 We have some factors effect on the permeability (for a homogeneous, isotropic soil mass) such as : o The viscosity of the pore fluid (usually water). o Void ratio: for the same soil as void ratio increase the permeability increase. o The size and shape of the soil particles. o The degree of saturation ( as it increase, the apparent coefficient of permeability increase). dams). The hydraulic head is usually 5 to 10 times larger in the lab test than on the field. i (=h/L) are often less than 1.5 unless there is flooding or water impoundment (reservoirs or

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Equipments:
Permeability device. Thermometer. Balance sensitive up to 0.1 g. Beaker for collecting water (500 to 1000 ml). Graduated cylinder (to measure water collected in beaker). Timer (stop watch).

Procedures:

1. Put a filter paper on top of the sand on the mold then get the length of the specimen of the soil sample. 2. Place the permeameter in a sink ( be sure the outlet tube is open so that water can backup through the sample to produce saturation with minimum of entrapped air). 3. Open the water through parameter then put the water which is displaced in container to weight it by the balance to get Q. 4. Get the difference in head reading.

Data & Calculations:

Group No Average flow Q ( cm3 ) Time of collection t, (s) Head difference, hL (cm) Diameter of specimen, D ( cm) Length of specimen, L (cm) Area of specimen, A ( Cm2)

536. 108 218 8 8 0.5 30 60 120 38 38 38 7.5 7.5 7.5 7 7 7 44.1 44.1 44.1

K =(Q * L) /(A h t) (cm/s) Average K (cm/s)

79 79 79 0.07 0.07 0.07 46 56 58 0.07 53

Sample of calculation: For Group 2 : Q = 1088 cm3 L = 7 cm A = ( * D2 / 4) = 44.179 cm2 h = 38 cm t = 60 sec K = Q*L/ A h t = ( 1088 * 7 / 44.179 * 38 * 60 ) = 0.0756 cm /s Discussion & Conclusions:

The soil sample has a K = 0.0756 cm /s so the soil sample is low

permeability. The permeability (k) for the filter larger than the sand to make the control for the sand. The filters mustn't pass ant part of soil in between.