Water Movement in Soil and

Rocks
 Water Movement in Soil and
Rocks
Two Principles to Remember:
 Water Movement in Soil and
Rocks
Two Principles to Remember:

1. Darcy’s Law
 Water Movement in Soil and
Rocks
Two Principles to Remember:

1. Darcy’s Law

2. Continuity Equation:
mass in = mass out + change in storage
“my name’s
Bubba!”
Water Movement in Soil and Rocks
I. Critical in Engineering and Environmental Geology
A. Dams, Reservoirs, Levees, etc.
“ Pore Pressure”
Water Movement in Soil and Rocks
I. Critical in Engineering and Environmental Geology
A. Dams, Reservoirs, Levees, etc.
B. Groundwater Contamination

Landfills Leaking Underground Surface

Storage Tanks Spills
Water Movement in Soil and Rocks
I. Critical in Engineering and Environmental Geology
A. Dams, Reservoirs, Levees, etc.
B. Groundwater Contamination
C. Foundations
- Strength and Stability
I. Critical in Engineering and Environmental Geology
A. Dams, Reservoirs, Levees, etc.
B. Groundwater Contamination
C. Foundations
- Strength and Stability
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
A. Goal: Determine the permeability of the
engineering material
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
A. Goal: Determine the permeability of the
engineering material

Porosity Permeability
 II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
A. Goal: Determine the permeability of the
engineering material

Porosity Permeability
Porosity (def) % of Permeability (def) the ease at
total rock that is which water can move through
occupied by voids. rock or soil
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
A Demonstration:
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
A Demonstration:

Bernoulli's Principle states that as the speed of a moving fluid increases,

the pressure within the fluid decreases.
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
1. Components of Bernoulli
Total Energy = velocity energy + potential energy + pressure energy
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
1. Components of Bernoulli
Total Energy = velocity energy + potential energy + pressure energy

Total Head = velocity head + elevation head + pressure head

II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
1. Components of Bernoulli
Total Energy = velocity energy + potential energy + pressure energy

Total Head = velocity head + elevation head + pressure head

h = v2/2g + z + P/ρg

Where: h = total hydraulic head (units of length)

v = velocity
g = gravitational constant
z = elevation above some datum
P = pressure (where P = ρg*Δh)
ρ = fluid density
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
1. Components of Bernoulli
Total Energy = velocity energy + potential energy + pressure energy

Total Head = velocity head + elevation head + pressure head

h = v2/2g + z + P/ρg

Where: h = total hydraulic head (units of length)

v = velocity
g = gravitational constant
z = elevation above some datum
P = pressure (where P = ρg*Δh) A quick problem……
ρ = fluid density
At a place where g = 9.80 m/s2, the fluid pressure is 1500 N/m2, the distance
above a reference elevation is 0.75 m, and the fluid density is 1.02 103 kg/m3.
The fluid is moving at a velocity of 1* 10-6 m/s.
Find the hydraulic head at this point.

h= v2/2g + z + P/g
At a place where g = 9.80 m/s2, the fluid pressure is 1500 N/m2, the distance
above a reference elevation is 0.75 m, and the fluid density is 1.02 103 kg/m3 .
The fluid is moving at a velocity of 1* 10-6 m/s.
Find the hydraulic head at this point.

h= v2/2g + z + P/g

(1*10-6 m/s)2 + +0.75 m + 1500 {(kg-m)/s2}m2

2 * 9.80 m/s2 9.80 m/s2 * 1.02 103 kg/m3
At a place where g = 9.80 m/s2, the fluid pressure is 1500 N/m2, the distance
above a reference elevation is 0.75 m, and the fluid density is 1.02 103 kg/m3 .
The fluid is moving at a velocity of 1* 10-6 m/s. Gravity is 9.8 m/s2.
Find the hydraulic head at this point.

h= v2/2g + z + P/g

(1*10-6 m/s)2 + +0.75 m + 1500 {(kg-m)/s2}m2

2 * 9.80 m/s2 9.80 m/s2 * 1.02 103 kg/m3

5.10 * 10-14 m + 0.75 m + 0.15 m = 0.90 m = hydraulic head

II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
B. The Bernoulli Equation
1. Components of Bernoulli
Total Energy = velocity energy + potential energy + pressure energy

Total Head = velocity head + elevation head + pressure head

h = v2/2g + z + P/ρg

Total Head = velocity head + elevation head + pressure head

h = zero + z + Ψ

Where: h = total hydraulic head

z = elevation head
Ψ = pressure head
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
Henri Darcy (1856)

Developed an empirical relationship of the

discharge of water through porous mediums.
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
1. The experiment

K
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
2. The results
• unit discharge α permeability
• unit discharge α head loss
• unit discharge α hydraulic gradient
Also…..
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
2. The equation

v = Ki
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
2. The equation

v = Ki
where v = specific discharge (discharge per
cross sectional area) (L/T)
* also called the Darcy Velocity
* function of the porous medium and
fluid
Darcy’s Law:
v = Ki
where v = specific discharge (discharge per unit area)
(L/T)
K = hydraulic conductivity (L/T); also referred
to as coefficient of permeability
i = hydraulic gradient, where
i = dh/dl (unitless variable)
Darcy’s Law:
v = Ki
where v = specific discharge (discharge per unit area)
(L/T)
K = hydraulic conductivity (L/T); also referred
to as coefficient of permeability
i = hydraulic gradient, where
i = dh/dl (unitless variable)
Darcy’s Law:
v = Ki
where v = specific discharge (discharge per unit area)
(L/T)
K = hydraulic conductivity (L/T); also referred
to as coefficient of permeability
i = hydraulic gradient, where
i = dh/dl (unitless variable)

v = K dh
dl
Darcy’s Law:
v = Ki
where v = specific discharge (discharge per unit area)
(L/T)
K = hydraulic conductivity (L/T); also referred
to as coefficient of permeability
i = hydraulic gradient, where
i = dh/dl (unitless variable)

v = K dh
dl
If Q = VA, then
Q = A K dh
dl
Darcy’s Law:

The exposed truth: these are only APPARENT

velocities and discharges
v = K dh Q = A K dh
dl dl
Q = VA

Vs.
Darcy’s Law:

The exposed truth: these are only APPARENT

velocities and discharges
vL = K dh QL = A K dh
ne dl ne dl

Where ne effective porosity

VL = ave linear velocity (seepage velocity)
QL = ave linear discharge (seepage discharge)
Both of these variables
take into account that
not all of the area is
available for fluid flow
(porosity is less than 100%)
Find the specific discharge and average linear velocity of a pipe filled with sand with
the following measurements.

K = 1* 10-4 cm/s
dh = 1.0
dl = 100
Area = 75 cm2
Effective Porosity = 0.22
Find the specific discharge and average linear velocity of a pipe filled with sand with
the following measurements.

K = 1* 10-4 cm/s
dh = 1.0
dl = 100
Area = 75 cm2
Effective Porosity = 0.22

VL =-Kdh V =-Kdh
nedl dl

V = 1 * 10-6 cm/sec
VL = 4.55 * 10-6 cm/sec

How much would it move in one year?

4.55 * 10-6 cm * 3.15 * 107 sec * 1 meter = 1.43 meters for VL
sec year 100 cm
0.315 m for V
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
C. Darcy‘s Law
3. The Limits

Equation assumes ‘Laminar Flow’; which is usually the case for flow
through soils.
C. Darcy‘s Law
4. Some Representative Values for Hydraulic Conductivity
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
D. Laboratory Determination of Permeability
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
D. Laboratory Determination of Permeability
1. Constant Head Permeameter

Q = A K dh Q* dl= K
dl A dh
Example Problem:
Given:
•Soil 6 inches diameter, 8 inches thick.
•Hydraulic head = 16 inches
•Flow of water = 766 lbs for 4 hrs, 15 minutes
•Unit weight of water = 62.4 lbs/ft3

Find the hydraulic conductivity in units of ft per minute

Q = A K dh Q* dl= K
dl A dh
Example Problem:

Q* dl= K
A dh
Example Problem:

Q* dl= K
A dh
II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
D. Laboratory Determination of Permeability
2. Falling Head Permeameter

More common for fine grained soils

II. Water Flow in a Porous Medium
D. Laboratory Determination of Permeability
2. Falling Head Permeameter
 E. Field Methods for Determining Permeability

In one locality: “Perk rates that are less

than 15 minutes per inch or greater than
105 are unacceptable measurements. “
E. Field Methods for Determining Permeability
1. Double Ring Infiltrometer
E. Field Methods for Determining Permeability
2. Johnson Permeameter
E. Field Methods for Determining Permeability
1. Slug Test (Bail Test)
also referred to as the Hzorslev Method

K = r2 ln(L/R)
2LT0.37

Where:
r = radius of well
R = radius of bore hole
L = length of screened section
T0.37 = the time it take for the water
level to rise or fall to 37% of the
initial change
Example Problem:
A slug test is performed by injecting water into a
piezometer finished in coarse sand. The inside diameter of
both the well screen and well casing is 2 inches. The well
screen is 10 feet in length. The data of the well recovery is
shown below. Determine K from this test.
K = r2 ln(L/R)
2LT0.37

Where:
r = radius of well
R = radius of bore hole (well casing)
L = length of screened section
T0.37 = the time it take for the water
level to rise or fall to 37% of the
initial change
 Hzorslev Method

Time
since
Injecti
on
(sec) H (ft) h/ho
1
0 0.88 1.000
1 0.6 0.682
2 0.38 0.432
3 0.21 0.239
h/ho

0.1
4 0.12 0.136
5 0.06 0.068
6 0.04 0.045
7 0.02 0.023
8 0.01 0.011 0.01
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9 0 0.000 Tim e (s)

 Hzorslev Method
1
h/ho

0.1

0.01
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Tim e (s)
Example Problem:
A slug test is performed by injecting water into a
piezometer finished in coarse sand. The inside diameter of
both the well screen and well casing is 2 inches. The well
screen is 10 feet in length. The data of the well recovery is
shown below. Determine K from this test.
K = r2 ln(L/R)
2LT0.37

Where:
r = radius of well
R = radius of bore hole (well casing)
L = length of screened section
T0.37 = the time it take for the water
level to rise or fall to 37% of the
initial change
Example Problem:
A slug test is performed by injecting water into a
piezometer finished in coarse sand. The inside diameter of
both the well screen and well casing is 2 inches. The well
screen is 10 feet in length. The data of the well recovery is
shown below. Determine K from this test.
K = r2 ln(L/R)
2LT0.37

K = (0.083 ft)2 ln(10 ft/ (0.083 ft)

2(10ft)(2.3 sec)

Where:
r = radius of well
R = radius of bore hole (well casing)
L = length of screened section
T0.37 = the time it take for the water
level to rise or fall to 37% of the
initial change
Example Problem:
A slug test is performed by injecting water into a
piezometer finished in coarse sand. The inside diameter of
both the well screen and well casing is 2 inches. The well
screen is 10 feet in length. The data of the well recovery is
shown below. Determine K from this test.
K = r2 ln(L/R)
2LT0.37

K = (0.083 ft)2 ln(10 ft/ (0.083 ft)

2(10ft)(2.3 sec)

K = 7.18 * 10-4 ft/s

K = 62.0 ft/day
Where:
r = radius of well
R = radius of bore hole (well casing)
L = length of screened section
T0.37 = the time it take for the water
level to rise or fall to 37% of the
initial change
 E. Field Methods for Determining Permeability
4. Pump Test
also referred to as the Thiem Method

K = Q* ln(r1/r2)
π(h12 – h22)
K = Q* ln(r1/r2)
π(h12 – h22)
III. Flow Nets
III. Flow Nets
A. Overview
• one of the most powerful tools for the analysis
of groundwater flow.
• provides a solution to the Continuity Equation
for 2-D, steady state, boundary value problem.
III. Flow Nets
A. Overview
• one of the most powerful tools for the analysis
of groundwater flow.
• provides a solution to the Continuity Equation
for 2-D, steady state, boundary value problem.
d2h + d2h = 0 gives the rate of change of
dx2 dy2 h in 2 dimensions
Continuity Equation:
mass in = mass out + change in storage
• Composed of 2 sets of lines
– equipotential lines (connect points of equal
hydraulic head)
– flow lines (pathways of water as it moves
through the aquifer.
d2h + d2h = 0 gives the rate of change of
dx2 dy2 h in 2 dimensions
FLOW NETS
III. Flow Nets
B. To solve, need to know:
– have knowledge of the region of flow
– boundary conditions along the perimeter of the
region
– spatial distribution of hydraulic head in region.
Q’ = Kph
f

Where:
Q’ = Discharge per unit depth of
flow net (L3/t/L)
K = Hydraulic Conductivity (L/t)
p = number of flow tubes
h = head loss (L)
f = number of equipotential drops
 32 m 50 m

Q’ = Kph
f

Where:
Q’ = Discharge per unit depth of flow net (L3/t/L)
K = Hydraulic Conductivity (L/t) = 1 * 10-4 m/s
p = number of flow tubes
h = head loss (L)
f = number of equipotential drops
 32 m 50 m

Q’ = (1 * 10-4 m/s)(5)(18m) = Kph = 1 * 10-3 m3/s/m thickness

9 f

Where:
Q’ = Discharge per unit depth of flow net (L3/t/L)
K = Hydraulic Conductivity (L/t) = 1 * 10-4 m/s
p = number of flow tubes = 5
h = head loss (L) = 18 m
f = number of equipotential drops = 9
 Derivations
• These are extra slides in the case you
want to see how the equations are
created, or derived…..
K = Q* ln(r2/r1)
π*(h22 – h12)