Andrew Chapman asc2172

Soil Mechanics - Wednesday Group

Soil Mechanics Laboratory Report

Lab #2 Atterberg Limits
I. INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of the Constant Head Permeability Test experiment is to
determine the coefficient of permeability for an unknown sample of
sand. The coefficient of permeability is a coefficient which helps
describe the flow of water through soil. The coefficient of permeability
was determined experimentally as well as analytically; these values
were then compared.
II. DISCUSSION:
The constant head permeability test is a rather simple procedure. A
cylinder of soil is soaked until fully saturated. Then it is attached to an
apparatus such that tubing is coming out both ends of the cylinder,
one for inflow and one for outflow. Water is then poured into the inflow
tube at such a rate that the water height and therefore head pressure
remains constant. As water flows out of the outflow tube it is collected
while time is simultaneously measured. The height between the
maintained height of the water in the inflow tube and the height of the
outflow tube is then measured to determine the head difference. These
variables can then be used to calculate the coefficient of permeability.
III. RESULTS:
The dry density of the unknown sample was determined to be 1.556
g/cm3. The void ratio of the unknown sample was determined to be
0.7035. The coefficient of permeability (standardized to 20 oC) was
experimentally determined to be 0.0165135 cm/s. The data leading to
this result is summarized in [Appendix A]. Using the Chaupis method,
the coefficient of permeability was found to be 0.08119cm/s. Using the
U.S. Department of Navy method, the coefficient of permeability was
found to be 0.1 cm/s. Calculations are summarized in [Appendix B].

Andrew Chapman asc2172

Soil Mechanics - Wednesday Group
IV. QUALITATIVE ERROR ANALYSIS:
There were several sources of potential error in this laboratory
experiment. The first source of error was in the maintenance of a
constant head difference. It is very possible that the experimenters
failed to pour water into the funnel at a rate that would have
maintained a perfectly constant head pressure. This source of error
could have been mitigated with a more complex apparatus including a
constantly running water source and an overflow route. A second
source of error was in the measuring of the flow. The same graduated
cylinder was used for each test without being completely dried
between trials. This would have led to inaccurate volume
measurements. A third source of error can likely be found in the
limitations of measuring the head difference with a human eye and a
measuring tape, an imprecise combination.
V. SUMMARY:
The constant head permeability test experiment successfully yielded a
value for the coefficient of permeability. However, this experimental
value, 0.0165135 cm/s was rather different than the analytical values
determined by the Chaupis and U.S. Department of Navy methods,
0.08119cm/s and 0.1 cm/s, respectively. The wide difference between
the experimental and analytical values suggests that the possible
sources of error mentioned in section IV of this report manifested
themselves and affected the results.

Andrew Chapman asc2172

Soil Mechanics - Wednesday Group
[Appendix A]
Date Tested:
Tested By:
Soil Description:

3/35/15
Andrew Chapman
Sand

Item
Average Flow, Q (cc)
Time of Collection, t (s)
Temperature, T (deg. Celsius)
Head Difference, h (cm)
Area of specimen, A (cm)
Permeability (cm/s)
Item
Average Flow, Q (cc)
Time of Collection, t (s)
Temperature, T (deg. Celsius)
Head Difference, h (cm)
Area of specimen, A (cm)
Permeability (cm/s)
Item
Average Flow, Q (cc)
Time of Collection, t (s)
Temperature, T (deg. Celsius)
Head Difference, h (cm)
Area of specimen, A (cm)
Permeability (cm/s)
Dry Density
Void Ratio
k

1.555649
677
0.703468
357
0.018575
371

Test 1-1

Test 1-2

Test 1-3

13
12
40.49
40.25
25
25
12
12
26.420794 26.420794
22
22
0.0202534 0.0188069
24
44

10
30.03
25
12
26.42079422
0.021006203

Test 2-1

Test 2-2
Test 2-3
19
21
35.2
40.08
25
25
22.5
22.5
26.420794 26.420794
22
22
0.0181598
62 0.0176276

Test 3-1

Test 3-2

28
27
32.53
30.14
25
25
37
37
26.420794 26.420794
22
22
0.0176098 0.0183274
79
87

17
32.75
25
22.5
26.42079422
0.017463819

Test 3-3
27
30.82
25
37
26.42079422
0.017923117

Andrew Chapman asc2172

Soil Mechanics - Wednesday Group
k20
Chaupis k
U.S. Navy k

0.016513
504
0.081187
123
0.1

[Appendix B]
k = QL/Aht
k20 = k (nT/n20)
kchaupis = 2.4622(D102 (e3/(1+e)))^.7825