Falling Head Permeability Test

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Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
CONSTANT HEAD AND FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Permeability is a measure of the ease in which water can flow through a soil volume. It is
one of the most important geotechnical parameters. However, it is probably the most
difficult parameter to determine. In large part, it controls the strength and deformation
behavior of soils. It directly affects the following:
quantity of water that will flow toward an excavation
design of cutoffs beneath dams on permeable foundations
design of the clay layer for a landfill liner.
For fine grained soil Falling head permeability test is done, whereas constant head
permeability test is done for the coarse grained soil.
Application
Estimation of quantity of underground seepage water under various hydraulic
conditions
Quantification of water during pumping for underground construction
Stability analysis of slopes, earth dams, and earth retaining structures
Design of landfill liner
Equipment
Combination Permeameter assembly
Stop watch
Graduated cylinder (250 or 500 ml)
Balance sensitive to 0.01 lb
Moisture cans
Drying oven
Thermometer
Figure 1 Sketch of the combination permeameter
EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008

Instructor: Binod Tiwari, PhD Date: 3/17/2008
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Figure 2 Sketch of the combination permeameter assembly
Figure 3 Sketch of the combination permeameter test: Falling head (left), constant head
(right)

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Constant Head Permeability test

Procedure
The following steps are already done:

Mix sufficient water into the sample to prevent segregation of particle sizes during
placement into the Permeameter. Enough water should be added to allow the
mixture to flow freely, forming layers.
Remove both the chamber cap and upper chamber from the unit by unscrewing the
three knurled cap nuts and lifting them off the tie rods.
Position one porous stone on the inner support ring in the base of the chamber.
Using a scoop or funnel, pour the prepared specimen into the lower chamber, using a
circular motion to fill the lower chamber to a depth of 1.5 cm. A uniform layer
should be formed.
Use an appropriate tamping device to compact the layer of soil to the desired
density. Repeat the compacting procedure until the sample is within 2 cm of the top
of the lower chamber section.
Replace the upper chamber section, placing the rubber gasket between the chamber
sections. Be careful not to disturb the test specimen. Continue the sample
placement operation until the level of compacted material is about 2 cm below the
rim of the upper chamber. Carefully level the surface of the specimen and place the
upper porous stone on it.
Place the compression spring on the porous stone. Replace the chamber cap and
sealing gasket, securing it firmly with the cap nuts. The spring will restrict upward
sample movement.
Measure and record the sample length.
Assemble the constant head funnel, rod and meter stick. Use the rod clamp the
funnel's lower portion.
Adjust the level of the funnel to allow the constant water level in it to remain a few
inches above the top of the specimen.
Connect the flexible tube from the tail of the funnel to the bottom outlet of the
Permeameter. Keep the valves on top of the Permeameter open.
Place a receiver at the top outlet to collect any water that may come out.
If preferred, a piece of tubing may be connected to the outlet, leading the water to
a sink.
Open the bottom outlet valve and allow water to flow into the permeameter.
As soon as water begins to flow out of the top control (deairing) valve, close the
control valve, letting the water flow out the outlet for a time.
Close the bottom outlet valve and disconnect the flexible tubing at the bottom.
Connect the constant head funnel to the top side port.
Open the bottom outlet valve and raise the constant level head (funnel) to a
convenient height to get a reasonable steady flow of water.
Accurately measure the vertical distance between the funnel overflow level and the
chamber outflow level.
Measure and record the length of the specimen, L.

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You need to perform the following steps
Allow adequate time for the flow pattern and/or specimen to stabilize.
After equilibrium flow has been established, measure the time taken to have
specified volume of water flowing out. Use a measuring cylinder and a stop watch.
Repeat three or more times, calculating the average time.
Calculations
The lab reports shall include the following:

Sample calculations.
Table showing the calculations pertinent to the permeability of the soil.
Average value of permeability
Calculate the void ratio by oven drying the specimen and taking the dry mass.
EQUATION TO BE USED
VL
k = (1)
Aht
Where,
K = Coefficient of permeability
V = Collected volume of water
L = Length of soil column (13.25 cm)
A = Area of the soil column (31.65 cm2)
h = Head difference (34.3 cm)
t = Time required to get V volume

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Falling Head Permeability test

Procedure
The following steps are already done:

Compact the sample in the lower chamber section of the Permeameter, in layers
approximately 1.5 cm deep, to within about 2 cm of the lower chamber rim. Use an
appropriate tamping device to compact the sample to the desired density.
Remove the upper section of the chamber tie rods and place the upper porous stone
on the specimen, securing the upper section of the chamber with spring to the unit.
Measure and record the length of the specimen.
Use the clamp to attach the falling head burette to the support rod. Position the
burette as high as is possible for practicality. Place the meter stick directly behind
the burette, so the height of water in the burette above the chamber outflow port
may be read.
Saturate the specimen, following the steps outlined above.
Measure the heights of the two levels from the outflow level.
You need to perform the following steps

After a stable flow has been established, note the drop in head (Δh) in 2 hours. (use
a stop watch).
Calculations
The lab reports shall include the following:

Sample calculations.
Table showing the calculations pertinent to the permeability of the soil.
Average value of permeability
Calculate the void ratio by oven drying the specimen and taking the dry mass.
EQUATION TO BE USED
aL h 0
k = ln (2)
At h1
Where,
K = Coefficient of permeability
a = Area of the burette (1.695 cm2)
L = Length of soil column (13.25 cm)
A = Area of the soil column (31.65 cm2)
h0 = Initial height of water (56 cm)
h1 = Final height of water = h0 - Δh
t = Time required to get head drop of Δh

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Temperature Correction
ηT °C
k 20°C = k T °C (14)
η 20°C
Where,
kToC = measured permeability at the actual water temperature in the lab
k20oC = permeability at the standard temperature of 20OC
Table 1 of Correction Factors for Water Temperature
Test Water ηT°C/η20°C Test Water ηT°C/η20°C

Temperature, T (°C) Temperature, T (°C)
15 1.135 22 0.953
16 1.106 23 0.931
17 1.077 24 0.910
18 1.051 25 0.889
19 1.025 26 0.869
20 1.000 27 0.850
21 0.976 28 0.832
29 0.814
Table 2 Typical permeability coefficients for different soils
Typical Permeability, k
Soil Type (cm/sec)
Gravels and Coarse Sands > 10-1
Fine Sands 10-1 to 10-3
Silty Sands 10-3 to 10-5
Silts 10-5 to 10-7
Clays < 10-7

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HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF GRANULAR SOIL

UNDER CONSTANT HEAD (ASTM D2434)
LABORATORY DATA SHEET
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Tested by: Date tested:
Lab partners/organization:
Client: Project:
Boring no.: Recovery depth:
Recovery date: Recovery method:
Soil description: Sand
II. TEST DETAILS

Specimen diameter, D: 6.35 cm2 Specimen area, A: 31.65 cm2
Specimen Length, L: Volume of soil, V:
Dry mass of soil, Ms: Specific gravity of soil solids, Gs: 2.65
Dry unit weight, γd: Void ratio, e:
Scale type/serial no./precision:
Saturation method: Constant head Saturation duration: 48 hours
Specimen preparation method: Dry packing
Notes, observations, and deviations from ASTM D2434 test standard:
III. MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS
Test Head Hydraulic Flow Time Flow Rate Hydraulic
No. Difference Gradient Volume Conductivity

(q)
(h) (i) (Q) (t) (k)

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HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF GRANULAR SOIL
UNDER FALLING HEAD
LABORATORY DATA SHEET
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Tested by: Date tested:
Lab partners/organization:
Client: Project:
Boring no.: Recovery depth:
Recovery date: Recovery method:
Soil description: SM
II. TEST DETAILS

Specimen diameter, D: 6.35 cm2 Specimen area, A: 31.65 cm2
2
Burette area, a: 1.695 cm Specimen length, L:
Dry mass of soil, Ms: Volume of soil, V:
Specific gravity of soil solids, Gs: 2.68 Dry unit weight, γd:
Void ratio, e: Scale type/serial no./precision:
Saturation method: Constant head Saturation duration: 48 hours
Specimen preparation method: Dry packing
Notes and observations:
III. MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS
Test No. Initial Initial Hydraulic Final Time Hydraulic
Head Gradient Head Conductivity
(H0) (ii) (H1) (t) (k)


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1

Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

CONSTANT HEAD AND FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Figure 1 Sketch of the combination permeameter

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008

Figure 2 Sketch of the combination permeameter assembly

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008

Constant Head Permeability test

The following steps are already done:

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008

The lab reports shall include the following:

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008