GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, SLIIT

B.SC ENGINEERING YEAR 02 SEMESTER 02

CE 2812 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I LABORATORY ASSIGNMENT

PERMEABILITY TEST
Introduction
Permeability is the measure of the soils ability to permit water to flow through its pores or
voids. It is one of the most important soil properties of interest to Geotechnical Engineers.
Following are some applications which illustrate the importance of permeability in
geotechnical designs.
Permeability influences the rate of settlement of a saturated soil under load.
The design of earth dams is very much based upon the permeability of the soils used.
The stability of slopes and retaining structures can be greatly affected by the
permeability of the soils involved.
Filters made of soils are designed based upon their permeability.
Laboratory permeability test will estimate the coefficient of permeability (k) for a given soil
sample using Falling Head method. Principal of the falling head method is based on Darcys
law.
Darcys Law
Henry Darcy, a French scientist, based on his experimental evidences proposed the Darcys
law for ground water flow. In 1856 Darcy proposed a simple equation (Equation 1) for velocity
of water through saturated soils.
= ---------------------------(1)
Where;
v Discharge velocity, which is the quantity of water flowing in unit time through a
unit cross sectional area of soil at right angle to the direction of flow,
k Coefficient of permeability

i Hydraulic gradient

Water is allowed to run through the stand pipe of cross sectional area a into the sample of
cross sectional area A as shown in Figure 1. The times t1, t2, t3 etc. are noted when the
dropping water level indicates readings h1, h2, h3 etc.
 Figure 1: Falling Head Apparatus
During a small time interval dt the change in height of the water level in the stand pipe is
(-dh), the negative sign indicating that the head is decreasing. Then, the volume rate of flow
(q) is;

=

Equation 1;
=
=

( )=

1 1
1
=

0 0

[ln||]10 = []10

0
ln = ( 0 )
1 1
If the graph drawn between ln (h0/h1) and (t1-t0) has the gradient of m;

=


=

Course work report - Important points to remember

1. Objectives of the test.

2. List the equipment used in the test with a diagram of the equipment used.

3. Describe the test procedure in your own words.

4. Enter the observations in the sheets provided.

5. Carry out the computations, draw the necessary graphs in the sheets provided and

estimate coefficiednt of permeability.

6. Discuss the importance and relevance of the test, the parameters obtained, shortcoming

and possible ways of improvement.

Assessment
Attendance in the laboratory session and submission of the laboratory report is essential to
earn the marks for the assignment.
Attendance and submission of the report = 3 marks
Viva = 2 marks

Generic Information
Any type of plagiarism is not allowed.
Plagiarism: Academic honesty is crucial to a students credibility and self-esteem, and
ultimately reflects the values and morals of the Institute as whole. A student may
work together with one or a group of students discussing assignment content,
identifying relevant references, and debating issues relevant to the subject. Plagiarism
occurs when the work of another person, or persons, is used and presented as ones
own.