Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering November 30, 2016

EXPERIMENT # 8

DETERMINATION OF COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY

BY FALLING HEAD APPARATUS
8.1 OBJECTIVE
This test method measures hydraulic conductivity also known as co-efficient of
permeability of fine grained materials (soils) with a rigid-wall mold
permeameter. Such materials can be tested whose hydraulic conductivity is
less than or equal to 10-3 to 10-6cm per sec.
To describe the general accepted practice to determine the coefficient of
permeability of silts and clays.
To identify the relationship between permeability and pore size of the fine-
grained soils.
To measure the coefficient of permeability of silts and clays.
8.2 APPARATUS
Permeameter
Tamper
Balance
Scoop
1000 mL Graduated cylinders
Stopwatch
Thermometer
Filter paper

8.3 SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

This test method applies to one-dimensional, laminar flow of water within
laboratory-compacted, porous materials
The hydraulic conductivity of porous materials generally decreases with an
increasing amount of air in the pores of the material. This test method applies
to porous materials containing little or no air.
The test method is designed to minimize the amount of air in the test specimen.

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8.4 RELATED THEORY

Permeability is a soil property indicating the ease with which water will flow through
the soil.

Permeability depends on the following factors

Fluid viscosity is inversely proportional to permeability.

Pore size distribution is directly related to permeability.
Grain size distribution is directly related to permeability.
Shape of particles are related to permeability if particles are of irregular shape
than permeability will increase.
Void ratio is directly proportional to permeability.
Roughness is inversely proportional to permeability.
Degree of saturation is directly proportional to permeability.
Temperature is directly proportional to permeability.
Density is inversely proportional permeability.

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.
In permeability tests on clays, much higher hydraulic gradients than are normally used
with sands can be applied, and are often necessary to induce any measurable flow.
The cohesion of clays provides resistance to failure by piping at gradients of up to
several hundred, even under quite low confining or surcharge pressures. Dispersive
clays however are very susceptible to erosion at much lower gradient.
8.5 PROCEDURE
Take the soil sample of 1 kg into a pre-weighed container. Now Place a porous
stone at the bottom of test cylinder and pour the soil into the test cylinder in
three layers.
Compact each layer by hammer to achieve a compacted mass. Level the soil
at the top and place other porous stone and cap onto the surface and tight the
three nuts/clamps.
The test cylinder is connected to a monomeric head which is connected directly
to the reservoir. The whole assembly contains three valves, one at the bottom
of the test cylinder, other at top of the test cylinder and the rest is attached at
the bottom of monomeric column.
Open all the three valves and start pouring water into the manometric column.

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Let the sample saturate completely and make sure that air bubbles are removed
completely through bottom valve of test cylinder.
Close the valve and let the water rise into the manometric column to a specific
height. Now open the valve and let the manometric column drop to a specific
height.
Record the time accounting for the drop of water at the same time. Perform the
same for two more readings.
Calculate the co-efficient of permeability for all three falling heads and report
the average of the three as co-efficient of permeability of representative sample.

= 2.303 log

Where:
a = area of cross-section of standpipe tube,
A = area of cross section of sample
h1 = height of water above datum in standpipe at time t1
h2 = height of water above datum in standpipe at time t2
L = heights of sample
t = elapsed time

Schematic diagram of Falling Head Apparatus

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8.6 OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

Cross-sectional area of the soil column = A = 1000 mm2
Length of specimen = L = 200 mm
Area of stand pipe = a = 40 mm2
Height of water above datum in standpipe at time t1= 0 = h1 = 500 mm
Height of water above datum in standpipe at time t2 = 180 sec = h2 =300 mm

= 2.303 log

40200 500
= 2.303 log
1000180 300

= 2.2710 mm

= 2.2710
8.7 REFERENCE
ASTM D5084
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous
Materials using a Flexible Wall Permeameter
8.8 COMMENTS
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 coefficient of permeability for our soil sample is = 2.2710

Greater the value of coefficient of permeability more easily water can flow through the
soil.

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