Experiment # 1: To Determine The Permeability of A Granular Soil by Constant Head Permeameter. Permeability

EXPERIMENT # 1
To determine the permeability of a granular soil by constant head permeameter.
PERMEABILITY: Permeability refers to the measure of the ease of passage of liquids or gases
or specific chemicals through the material. It refers to the porosity of a material to allow fluids to
move through its pores. In soil mechanics, it is the porosity of a soil to allow water to move
through its void spaces.
There are basically two methods to determine permeability but both of them have not really
provided a reliable value for the permeability coefficient. The formula given below is used in both
methods as given by Darcy’s Law:
q = kI A
where, q = Quantity of fluid flow in a given time
K = Coefficient permeability
I = Hydraulic gradient
A = Cross-sectional area of soil mass
The coefficient of permeability, k is defined as the rate of flow of water under laminar flow
conditions through a porous medium area of unit cross section under unit hydraulic gradient. The
coefficient of permeability (k) is obtained from the relation:
𝑞𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴ℎ𝑡
where q is the discharge, Q is the total volume of water, t is the time period, h is the head causing
flow, L is the length of specimen, A is the cross-sectional area.
Related theory:
The constant head test method is used for cohesion less and more permeable soils
This method is used for coarse grained soils or rocks with relatively high permeability. It provides
valuable information about the materials ability to transmit water under saturated conditions.It
involves the following related theories.
Here we are performing the experiment with constant head permeameter.
 Darcy's Law: This test is based on Darcy’s law. Darcy's law governs the flow of water
through porous media and is fundamental to understanding permeability tests.
 Hydraulic Conductivity: This parameter represents the ability of a porous medium (in this
case, the granular soil) to transmit water. It is influenced by factors such as the porosity
of the soil, the grain size distribution, and the interconnectivity of pores. The formula for
hydraulic conductivity is derived from Darcy's law.
 Permeability Coefficient: The permeability coefficient is a measure of the ease with which
water can flow through the soil. It is related to hydraulic conductivity and is often used
interchangeably in the context of permeability tests.
 Flow Net Analysis: Flow nets are graphical representations used to visualize and analyze
the flow of water through porous media. Understanding flow nets helps in interpreting
the distribution of flow within the soil specimen.
 Head Loss Calculation: The head loss across the soil specimen is an important parameter
in the experiment. It is often used to determine the hydraulic gradient and, subsequently,
the coefficient of permeability.
By applying these principles, the experiment aims to quantify the permeability of the
granular soil, providing valuable information about its ability to transmit water under
constant head conditions.
APPARATUS:
 Permeameter mould, internal diameter = 100mm, effective height =127.3 mm, capacity
= 1000ml.
 Detachable collar, 100mm diameter, 60mm height
 Dummy plate, 108 mm diameter, 12mm thick
 Drainage base, having porous disc
 Drainage cap having porous disc with a spring attached to the top
 Compaction equipment such as Proctor’s rammer or a static compaction equipment
 Constant head water supply reservoir
 Vacuum pump
 Constant head collecting chamber
 Stop watch
 Large funnel
 Thermometer
 Weighing balance of accuracy 0.1g
 Filter paper
PROCEDURE:
1. Remove the collar of the mould. Measure the internal dimensions of the mould. Weigh the mould
with dummy plate to the nearest gram. Apply a little grease on the inside to the mould.
2. Clamp the mould between the base plate and the extension collar and place the assembly on a
solid base.
3. Take about 2.5kg of the soil sample, from a thoroughly mixed wet soil, in the mould.
4. Compact the soil at the required dry density using a suitable compacting device.
5. Take a small specimen of the soil in a container for the water content determination.
6. Remove the collar and base plate. Trim the excess soil level with the top of the mould. Clean the
outside of the mould and the dummy plate. Find the mass of the soil in the mould.
7. The mould with the sample is now placed over the permeameter. This will have drainage and cap
discs properly saturated.
8. Through the top inlet of the constant head reservoir, the specimen is connected. The bottom
outlet is opened and a steady flow is established.
9. For a particular time interval, the quantity of flow can be collected. Measure the difference of
head (H) in levels between the constant head reservoir and the outlet in the base.
The pictures below show how the experiment is performed.
CALCULATIONS AND RESULT:
ITEM TEST 1 TEST 2 TEST 3

Diameter of 7.4 7.4 7.4
specimen D (cm)
Time of Collection 5.18 9.92 15.1
t (s)
Water Collected 102 192 294
(ml)
Temperature of 27 0C 27 0C 27 0C
Water T(0C)
Head difference H1 63.5 63.5 63.5
H (cm) H2 76.3 76.3 76.3
H3 93 93 93
Distance between L1 8 8 8
the gland points L2 13 13 13
L3 2.05 2.05 2.05
Length of specimen L 23.1 23.1 23.1
(cm)
Area of specimen 43.01 43.01 43.01
(cm2)
K (cm/s) 0.191 0.191 0.191
Average K (cm/s) 0.189 0.189 0.189
I1 = (H1 - H2)/(L1 – L2)
= (63.5 – 76.3)/(8-13) = 2.56
I2= (H2 - H3)/(L2 – L3)
= (76.3 – 93)/(13 – 20.5) = 2.23
Calculating K with the use of average I:
K = q/IA
= 19.69/(2.4 x 43.01) = 0.191 cm/s
PRECAUTIONS:
Here are some precautions that should be taken while conducting the constant head
permeability test:
 All possible leakage of joints must be eliminated.

 Porous stones must be saturated before being put to use.
 De-aired and distilled water should be used to prevent choking of flowing water.
 Soil sample must be carefully saturated before taking the observations.
CONCLUSION:
The constant head permeability test is conducted to determine the coefficient of permeability of
a soil. The coefficient of permeability helps in solving issues related to yield of water bearing
strata, stability of earthen dams, embankments of canal bank, seepage in earthen dams, and
settlement issues.
The conclusion of the constant head permeability test is that it helps in determining the
coefficient of permeability of a soil. The test can be employed to test granular soils either
reconstituted or disturbed.

Experiment # 1: To Determine The Permeability of A Granular Soil by Constant Head Permeameter. Permeability

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EXPERIMENT # 1

To determine the permeability of a granular soil by constant head permeameter.

where, q = Quantity of fluid flow in a given time

A = Cross-sectional area of soil mass

Here we are performing the experiment with constant head permeameter.

The pictures below show how the experiment is performed.

CALCULATIONS AND RESULT:

ITEM TEST 1 TEST 2 TEST 3

I1 = (H1 - H2)/(L1 – L2)

= (63.5 – 76.3)/(8-13) = 2.56

I2= (H2 - H3)/(L2 – L3)

= (76.3 – 93)/(13 – 20.5) = 2.23

Calculating K with the use of average I:

= 19.69/(2.4 x 43.01) = 0.191 cm/s

 All possible leakage of joints must be eliminated.

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