Objective: The constant head-permeability test is used to determine the coefficient of permeability of samples of coarse-grained soil (such as and

gravel) Introduction: This test demonstrates the laboratory measurement of coefficient of permeability of soil using (1). Constant Head Permeameter Permeability is defined as the ability of water to flow through the void spaces, and vice versa. A measure of the soils permeability is the coefficient of permeability, also known as the hydraulic conductivity. The coefficient of permeability can be measured in the laboratory by using the constant head test or the falling head test. In the constant head test, a constant head drop is applied to the soil sample, and the resulting seepage quantity is measured. The constant head test is used primarily for coarse head test is used primarily for coarse-grained soils (clean sands and gravel) with small to be measured accurately. Need and scope: The knowledge of this property is much useful in solving problems involving yield of water bearing strata, seepage through earthen dams, stability of earthen dams, and embankments of canal bank affected by seepage, settlement etc. mm/s. for fined-pained soils, the seepage quantity becomes to

Theory:

Darcys law The measure of the ease with which water flows through a saturated soil is termed the permeability of that soil. Darcy propounded the following law relating to the steady flow of water through a soil.

Where, Q = quantity of water t = time of flow k = coefficient of permeability A = cross-sectional area of soil h = hydraulic head over length ; the soil = length of flow path through the soil = hydraulic gradient =

Fig. 1. CONSTANT HEAD PERMEAMETER

And the velocity of flow; then

For laboratory testing; Coefficient of permeability can be determined I the laboratory by means of permeameter test. The coefficient of permeability is then calculated from the expression,

Where Q = quantity of water collected in time : = distance between standpipe connections : h = h2 h1 = difference in water level in standpipes: and A = cross-sectional area of soil sample i.e. of the container

The coefficient of permeability can therefore be defined as as the rate of flow per unit area for unit hydraulic gradient and since the hydraulic gradient is dimensionless, has the

units of velocity. It is usually expressed in millimeters per second. Table 2.1 below shows typical ranges of for various soil types.

Table 2.1 : typical coefficients of permeability for various soil Soil types gravel Coarse to fine sand Very fine sand Silt and fissured clay clays Coefficients of permeability 103 10 mm/s 10 10-2 10-2 10-3 10-3 10-5 10-5 Degree of permeability High Medium to high Low Low to very low Very low to impermeable

Note : The value of permeability is dependent upon a number of factors related to the soil and the fluid. These include the types, shape, packing ang the extent of any layering of the soil particles; the degree of saturation of the soil; the viscosity of the water and the type of flow occurring within the soil