Proceedings of the Seventh (1997) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference

Honolulu, USA, May 25-30, 1997

Copyright 1997 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers
ISBN 1-880653-28-1 (Set); ISBN 1.880653-29-X (Vol. I)

Major Effect of Grain Size Distribution to Coefficient

of Permeability of Marine Clay
Mitsuharu Fukuda and Seiji Suwa
Osaka Soil Test Laboratory
Osaka, Japan
Takao Uno
Gifu University
Gifu, Japan

ABSTRACT
Coefficiency of permeability of clay has a tendency to take an
important role in the consolidation analysis of clay. The
permeability properties of clay, however, seems to remain a
relatively minor investigated field. One of a few findings in this field
of study is the existence of a linearity between the logarithm of
coefficient of permeability and void ratio.
Therefore, for the purpose of further investigation of the
permeability properties of clay, a relationship between coefficient
of permeability and grain size distribution curve was focused as one
of the study themes.
This paper first presents the new concept developed by authors for
clarifying soils based on a grain size distribution curve. It is defined
as the classification radius method. Applying this method, with a
sand sample used in this paper shows that good relationship between
permeability coefficient of sand and grain size distribution curve is
detected. Furthermore, it will be shown that the soil classification
method, when used on the study of permeability properties of clay,
can derive coefficient of permeability of clay closed to the value
obtained by a consolidation test. Finally, this paper will show the
figure which represents a relationship of depth and coefficient of
permeability including sand stratum and clay. The figure gives us a
lot of information on the permeability properties of ground.
KEY W O R D S : clay, grain size distribution curve, coefficient of
permeability, classification

There are some methods used for obtaining a grain size distribution
curve available for a marine clay soil (Muta, et al. 1976). They are,
however inadequate as they are only able to figure out samll
differnces in the grain size distribution curves from each other.
Therefore, exact grain size analysis of clay has been proven to be
one of the most difficult tests. In general, it is concluded that grain
size distribution curves of clay are doubtful and not useful for solving
geotechnical problems. Nevertheless, there have been some findings
concerned with the relationship between engineering properties ot
clay and the grain size distribution curve. One of them is that the
content less than the particle size of 2 ~ m
governs the
consistency properties of clay, this is called the activity, and is
proposed by Skempton (Skempton, 1953). Another finding has been
that a liquid limit tends to increase when subjected to the increasing
of fine particles(Fukuda, et al. 1995).
Therefore, this study of the permeability of clay was carried out by
emphasizing the role of the grain size distribution curve.

180

Osaka bay in Japan ( l l )

Pusan in Korea (1--I)
Azone

160
~ ' 140
:~ 120

.....

"~ 100
.,m
-

--a
"=-

INTRODUCTION

80

B zo

:2

Recently, the coefficient of permeability of a marine clay has

come to take an important role in a nonlinear consolidation analysis
(Imai,1988, Yoshikuni, et al. 1990). However, comparing to the
volume of findings on a permeability properties of sand and gravel
strictly concerning with grain size distribution curves(Uno, et al.
1993), in general, a physical meaning of the permeability of clay
hasn't been summarized yet(Takane et al. 1985, Imai e t a l . 1989).
Therefore, this study will proceed to define the role of a grain size
distribution curve as a principal factor which affects the variance of
the permeability properties of a marine clay.

zone

40
20
0

'
10

,
20

30

40

~
50

60

70

,
,
80 90

100

Clay contents (%)

Fig.1 Relationship between liquid limit and clay contents finer than
0.05ram in diameter

634

R E L A T I O N S H I P B E T W E E N CONSISTENCY P R O P E R T I E S
OF C L A Y A N D G R A I N SIZE DISTRIBIYFION C U R V E S

,,i

~'~

Fig.1 shows the liquid limit characteristics which clearly supports

the existence of the linear relationship between the liquid limits and
clay contents of samples. They were collected at the Osaka bay area in
Japan and at Pusan in Korea. Data included in the B zone and C zone,
which contain the results of the samples taken in both countries, tends
to change following the linear relationship between both factors.
Whereas, data in A zone tend to keep a constant liquid limit
independent of clay contents. "Ibis property seems to be curious.
However, further investigation made it clear that the test belonging to
A zone was carried out by the same cgmpany, and the testing was
badly proceeded. Therefore, the linear relationship between liquid limit
and clay contents is the propertiy.
Fig.2 shows the activity of clay comparing the samples in Japan
with one in Pusan. There appears to be differences of proportional
characteristics between both samples. In each group of samples,
however, the linear relationships between the activity and clay contents
can be observed like broken line except several data.

~o ~ !

10 h

10-L

x X.Xx 'x:

_-

(A)eq.(3)

&"

(x)Creager eq.(4)
( 0 ) Hazen eq.(5)

101

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

.__~

10
10
10
10
10
10
Coefficient of permeability obtained by tests
ka(cm/s)
Fig.3 Comparison between the experimental data with the
permeability estimated

~q
"~
~

Authors have derived the equations for estimating coefficient of

permeability using distribution the grain size characteristics of coarse

ooco.-oo-o-<>-o~,
o

/F

sieved

P2

e,.

._.
0.01

0.1
1
grain size (ram)

10

100

Fig.4 Sehmatic instruction for estimating the 10% grain size

dl0 on grain size distribution curve

r"!
IS! ,-,
iii

Osaka (i-I)
0.4
Pusan ( n )
0.2
'
'
0 0
10
20

' "

x~

t-

~ 10

~ "~ 10S~~b~AL

B A S I C E Q U A T I O N S F O R P E R M E A B I L I T Y OF S A N D

"- -...

~ ~ t , '

0 --

e..

2
1.8
1.6
1.4
--~ 1.2
o,,~
~1
~ 0.8
0.6

x_

i :,.-~,l |

3 't3

4'0

50'

....

~:

allm

i ~-i"

60'

Among the simplified equations presented for predicting coefficient

of permeability based on grain size distribution curve, two famous
formulas will be investigated for the comparison study. Creager's
equation and Hazen's one are familiar with the practical engineers.
Two equations are shown as followings.

70

Clay contents (%)

Fig.2 Relationship between activity and clay contents finer than

0.02mm in diameter

Creager's equation
k = 0.359d.,0 za27
Hazen's equation
k=100d e 2

sand as are followed.

0. 3d50
exp 0.5(0. 484+ 0. 4201nUc)-

(2)

log k= Z 87(1 + logh )

(3)

dlo

(5)

where, d20 is the particle size corresponding with 20% of grain size
distribution curve and de is called the effective size, which is generally
defined as equivalent to the diameter of dl0 previously shown.
Fig.3 shows the variable properties of the relationship between
estimated values derived by those equations and the experimental data.
As clearlv detected, the coefficient of permeability predicted by the
equations (3) tends to scatter within the narrow band away from the
ka=kb line which means that the predicted value is equal to the
experimental value. While, the values derived by Creager's formula
and Hazen's one scatter more than 2 orders away from the
experimental data.
Therefore, within the limitation of using sand, it has been proven
that the sensitivity of practical application of equation (3) is better than
both other equations, Creager's and Hazen's.

Gs

Uc=d60

(4)

Where k is coefficient of permeability (cm/s), h is equivalent to an

imaginable average thickness of void surrounding each particle (mm).
d 10, d 50 and d 60 are 10%,50% and 60% particle size subject to a
grain size distribution curve respectively and their unit is (ram). Uc
means coefficient of uniformity. Compared with many test results,
these equations have proved to be effective for estimating the
coefficient of permeability of sand and gravel.

635

P R E D I C T E D C O E F F I C I E N T OF P E R M E A B I L I T Y OF C L A Y

-4

~'~

The series of equations presented in the previous section require

grain size of d l 0 , d20 ,, d50 ,, and d60 on the grain size distribution
curve. Of these, it is more difficult to take dl0 and d20 than d50 and
d60 , particularly when we are concerned with clay soil. Therefore,
here, modification for obtaining both grain sizes of dl0 and d20 will be
presented using the grain size distribution curve currently used, and
this procedure will provide useful information.
Fig .4 shows the representative curve which is a modified grain
size distribution curve and usually appeared with clay soils. In general,
there are many cases of lacking 10% grain size dl0 on grain size
distribution curves. Therefore, for the purpose of practical procedure,
equation (6) and (7) is applied on a grain size analysis of clay.
P2 -20
d
lgd20--" l g / 2 - p 1 , P 2 1 dg-~2

(6)

P2 -10
d1
lgdl O= lgd2 - Pl ' P2 log,,/
-2

(7)

~'I0"
.~ ~ "~ l d ~- -

D--O--[

Creager(eq.4)

[-]

Hazen(eq, 5)

X )
..~

:3"

-C)-- test result

-IC

10

0.0

1.0

0.2

0.4
0.6
0.8
Void ratio
Fig. 7 Comparison between predicted permeability
and consolidation test result (2)

10 -4
E

where d 1 and d 2 mean the grain sizes corresponding with the finer
passing of P 1 and P2 in percent. They must be selected from among
the larger set of sieved points that is at least than 0.003mm grain size.
20% grain size d20 can be obtained by the equation (6) too, Although
d20 isn't requested on applying equations (1) and (3), it is necessary for
Creager's equation.

A
10 -5

XI

N 10-6
[]IA~

8
-7
~.,10

10o [ ~

0-8

[2 X

o 10. 9

20 )(

~2

0
0.001

0.1
1
lO
100
grain size (ram)
Fig.5 Group of grain size distribution curves of clay soil used
for analyzing

0.01

10 -10

.,.

0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
void ratio (e) corresponding with the yield stress
Fig.8 Coefficient of permeability, properties corresponding with
the yield stress in consolidation test

-4

I--3

[ ~ e q . (3)
~
Creager (eq. 4)
iA Hazen (eq. 5)
'O test result
- - T ~ T

lO
- ---:',--- eq.(3)

~ ~
~-10

"X,, Creager(eq.4) I

-6
-

Hazen(eq. 5) ~

I
!

'

Fig.5 describes the group of the grain size distribution curves of

clay used for analyzing. They are representative examples of grain size
distribution curves obtained from around the Osaka bay area in Japan.
Fig.6 and Fig.7 show the representative examples of results on
applying the above equations to predict coefficient of permeability.
The coefficient of permeability, taken by the test is known the
consolidated coefficient of permeability, because it is generally derived
from the coefficient of consolidation obtained by curve fitting to the
consolidated settlement time curve. Void ratio (e) included in Fig.6 and
7 are ones corresponded with the coefficient of permeability, in the
consolidation test result. In the case of application of equation (3),
these corresponding void ratios are used.

.....

-I- - ~ - test result

, . , 8 10

.{r --~

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Void ratio
Fig. 6 Comparison between predicted permeability and
consolidation test result (1)

636

Good agreement is found between the predicted coefficient of

permeability using equation (3) and the experimental data included in
the normally consolidated zone. A large gap, however, is detected
between both values in the over consolidated zone. Whereas, when
comparing with the relationship which appeared in the results by
equation (3), the predicted values derived from Creager's and Hazen's
equations largely scatter. One of the major reasons is that the two
equations don~ include void ratio as a governing factor.
The fitness properties between the coefficient of permeability
predicted by equation (3) and void ratio in the over consolidated zone
is different from the ones in the normalized zone. But this special
aspect remained in a problem on the next stage study. When restricting
to the permeability properties within the normalized zone, the
relationship between a permeability and void ratio can be symbolized
by a tendency of a relationship between the logarithms of permeability
and void ratio obtained at the consolidated yield stress.
Fig.8 shows the summarized data derived from consolidation tests
and the set of estimated coefficients of permeability. "l'his figure proves
clearly that the value predicted using equation (3) fits the test results,
while, there is the large discrepancy between the test results and the
predicted value by Creager's and Hazen's equations, because the
coefficient of permeability derived by Creager's and Hazen's equation
keeps constant against a void ratio changing.
However, there are two different types of fitness in the application
results of equation (3). "Ibis phenomena is associated with a type of
grain size distribution curves. For examples, good agreement is
bounded with the type of a grain size distribution curve smoothly
changing, however, large discrepancy is found in data bounded with

where, Ds is the representative grain size, C constant value, Yw

density of water, and r/w viscosity of water. Operating logarithms of
both sides, equation (8) is changed into equation (9).

logk=21ogO s +lOg[le~3e]+ log[~w -C ]

(9,

On the basis of equation(9), logarithms of permeability is proportional

to the logarithms of a grain size and the function composed of void
ratio. Devising equation (11) into two parts, equation ( 3 ) c a n be
rearranged as follows.

h=Cl.~

00)
0.3d

ci=

5,,0

0a)

.j

logk=Z871og(Cl}+2.871og(e)+2.87[l-logGs)

(12)

where CI is defined as classification radius.

Comparing equation (12) with equation (9), the first term of both
equations are concerns with a representative grain size, the second with
void ratio, and the third constant value. Both equations are classified in
the similar form. Moreover, the constant values of the first term in the
fight hand side are 2.87 and 2.0respectively, which are similar values.

"1

And the ratio of te3/{l+eJt to e2"S7ranges 0.3 to 0.6 within the void

ff

ratio of 0.4 to 3.0. Therefore, equation (3) has the same properties
with the Taylor's equations.

ff

,~
e~

Permeability k (cm/s)

I,.,i
eO

im
cD

,.,

-8

-6

10

,m

10

-4

10

-2
,, ,

10

10

t
It
!

10

74/.z m
74/.Zm
grain size
grain size
Fig.9 Relationship between type of distribution curves and sensitivity
of estimation

30
~.~ 4O

Ds2

Yw e 3

it-

tm

" " o r x._..

50

the grain size distribution curves which have a staircase-like portion.

q'he two types of distribution curves are shown in Fig.9 (a) and (b)
respectively.
It is said that the coefficent of permeability of clay soil and void
ratio and logarithms of the coefficient of permeability have linearirv
properties. These characteristics are applied on an elast-plastic
analysis using FEM.
Besides of Creager's and Hazen's equation, another characteristics
detected is presented that the function of e3/(l+e)and the coefficient
of permeability make linear relationship. Although rare practical
application of a model, capillary tube model is promoted to some
formulas for estimating a coefficient of permeability. Of these,
Tayior's equation is shown as representative and includes not only
grain size but also void ratio as shown in equation (8).
k=

lg-,~

20

901

__.

l-:-O2-p,e ic,,d
I . coo o,, a,,oo
J X

in situtest

Fig.10 Distribution pattern of permeability in depth

(s)
A P P L I C A T I O N E X A M P L E OF C L A S S I F I C A T I O N R A D I U S

637

Fig.10 shows the comparison between the predicted permeability

based on the equation (3) and the permeability test results. The
permeability test contains in situ test which applied to the sand layers
and the consolidation tests with clay samples. "l'he distribution patterns
of the permeability in the depth direction taken by the two methods are
similar to each other. That is, permeability characteristics could be
correctly obtained on the chart including permeability of various kinds
of soils, especially clay or clayey soils. Then, the classification radius
method will take an important role, because it can be applied not only
on sand soils but also on clay soils.

Fukuda, M, Suwa, S, Akai, T, and Hamada, T (1995). "Consistency

properties of clays sampled in Korea and in Osaka (in Japanese)," "l'he
Japanese Geotechnical Society "Symposium on the Soil
Classification", pp.197-204.

CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, good relationship between experimental results and
estimated values of the coefficient of permeability could be pointed to
have a gap variance of both values within 1 orders, if grain size
distribution curve smoothly changes. But if shape pattern of
distribution curve is figured like staircase, a discrepancy between
experimental value and estimated one will be scattered over the range
of 2 orders, although proportional properties between both factors are
similar to each other.
Creager's equation and Hazen's one, which are equations used in
dam construction field, have a tendency to present a estimated value
away from experimental results. Therefore, permeability properties of
clay couldn't be traced by using these equations.
Another viewpoint presented in this paper is that coefficient of
permeability of clay is so strictly characterized that the logarithm of
coefficient of permeability is conducted linearly changing with
logarithm of void ratio. The equation presented by authors can be
applied for the properties of permeability with the classification radius
of soils.

REFRENCES
Imai, G (1995). "Analytical examinations of foundations to formulate
consolidation phenomena
with
inherent
time-dependence,"
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Compression and
Consolidation of Clay Soils-IS-Hiroshima 95 Japan Compression and
Consolidation of Clayey Soils, pp.891-935
Yoshikuni, H, Ikegami, S, and Hirao, T (1991). "The effect of loading
rate on the consolidation and compression characteristics of reiterated
clay (in Japanese)," The 26 th Japan National Conference on Soil
Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Vol. 26, pp. 279-9280.
Uno, T, Sugii, T, and Kamiya, K (1993). "Consideration of
Permeability. Related to Physical Properties of Particles Based on the
Measurement of Specific surface Area, Journal of Geotecnical
Engineering 0.S.C.E.) No. 469/III-23, pp. _5-34
Takane, H, Kasiwagi, A, and Arizumi, K (1985)."On the property, of
permeability, of saturated clay (Part 1. Consolidation test) (in
Japanese)," The 21th Japan National Conference on soil Mechanics
and Foundation Engineering, Vol..21, pp.179-182
Imai,G, and Muramoto, K (1989)."Several Studies of The Coefficient
of Consolidation (in Japanese)," The 24th Japan National Conference
on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Vol.24, pp.433-436
Muta, A, and Watanabe, S (1976). "Correct grain size distribution
curve of Kanto loam and clay (On the some problems related to
sedimentation in liquid grain analysis (in Japanese), The 20th Colloid
Chemistry Conference, pp.81-82
Skempton, A.W. (1953). "The Colloidal "Aetivity" of Clays," Proc.
3rd. IC SM, Vol.1, pp.57-61.

638