INTRODUCTION

Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. It is hoped that the activity
will slowly introduce and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them
for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory activities.
In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the coefficient of
permeability of soils using falling head test.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the coefficient of permeability of fine-grained soils.

BASIC CONCEPT
Permeability is defined as the capacity of a soil to allow water to pass through and the
coefficient of permeability is the flow velocity produced by a hydraulic gradient of unity.
The falling head test is used to determine the coefficient of permeability of fine-grained soils
such as silts and clays. For these types of soils, the rate of water flowing through them is too
small to enable accurate measurements using constant head permeameter. The determination
of k using the falling head test is govern by Darcys Law which states that the flow velocity
of proportional to the hydraulic gradient and derived as:
k = aL ln (h1/h2)
A (t2-t1)
Where;
a

= cross-sectional area of the standpipe

A = cross-sectional area of the sample

L = the length of the sample
h1 = initial height of the standpipe
h2 = final height of the standpipe
t1 = initial time before the start of the test
t2 = final time at the end of the test

APPARATUS

Falling head permeameter

Standpipes
Triaxial cell or compaction mould
Stopwatch
Thermometer (if necessary)
Bucket
Sample extruder

PROCEDURE
1. Took a U100 sample or from a core-cutter tube and the sample was trimmed to assure that
both surface is flat and smooth.
2. The soil sample has been placed fully into a triaxial cell on top of a porous stone and again
placed a porous stone on top of the soil sample.
3. The whole set up was placed in a bucket partially submerged in water. The sample has
been encased in the triaxial cell to make sure that no air bubbles are entrapped in the soil
sample.
4. The length, L and the diameter, D of the sample has been measured. The diameter, a of the
standpipe used in the test was recorded.
5. The standpipe was connected to the sample. The connection of the standpipe to the sample
has been intacted to make sure that the presence of air is minimized.
6. Opened the valve and the water was filled into the standpipe to a marked initial height of
the standpipe. The initial reading for height, h1 and time, t1 was recorded before the
commencement of the test.

7. Closed the valve and the test was started by observing the flow of flow of water and time
of the reduction. Once the flow of water reaches the final height mark, the time was stopped
and the final reading for height, h2 and time, t2 was recorded simultaneously.

8. The temperature at the time of the test was recorded and obtained the temperatureure
correction from Table 1 for kT and k20. The average of k was compute by repeating the
above procedure. The correction for the effect of temperature is given by:

kt = t k20

k = aL ln (h1)
At
h2

where;
kt

= value of k corresponding to a temperature of t

k20

= value of k corresponding to a temperature of 200C

= temperature correction coefficient

DATA ANALYSIS
DETERMINATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF SOIL
(Falling Head Test)
SOIL SAMPLE DATA
Diameter of sample, D cm

10.5

Cross-sectional area of sample, A

cm2

86.59

Length of sample, L cm

12.8

Mass of dry sample, Ms g

Moisture content of sample, w%

Bulk density of sample, Mg/cm3

STANDPIPES DATA
Standpipe no.

Diameter, d cm

0.15

0.3

0.45

Area, a cm2

0.0177

0.0707

0.159

a
cm2

h1
cm

h2
cm

t
sec

A
cm2

L
cm

Test No. Standpipe

No.

k
cm/sec

0.0177

85

79.7

86.59

12.8

3.37 105

0.0707

85

76.3

86.59

12.8

2.26 10

0.159

85

71.0

86.59

12.8

8.46 10

Overall average coefficient of permeability of soil sample, k

cm/sec

3.68 104