FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMETIC

GEOTECHNIC LABORATORY
FULL REPORT
Subject Code BFC 31901
Code & Experiment Title Costant Head Permeability Test
Date 1 November 2018
Section 05
Group 02
Members of Group Mohd Khairul Danial Bin Mohd Kasim (AF160028)
Mohd Amir Asraff Bin Asuki (AF160024)
Muhd Nasrul Bin Radzali (AF160031)
Muhd Alif Bin Ridzuan (AF160061)
Jakathisvaran (AF160070)
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor Prof. Madya Dr Mohamad Yusri Bin Aman
Submission Date 1 November 2018

Comment by examiner Received

1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the design of engineering projects, one of the most important soil properties of
interest to the soils engineer is permeability. To some degree, permeability will play a role
in the design of almost any structure. For example, the durability of concrete is related to
its permeability. In designs that make use of earthen materials (soils and rock) the
permeability of these material swill usually be of great importance.
Soils are permeable (water may flow through them) because they consist not only of
solid particles, but a network of interconnected pores. The degree to which soils are
permeable depends upon a number of factors, such as soil type, grain size distribution and
soil history. This degree of permeability is characterized by the coefficient of
permeability.
A number of different methods for determining the coefficient of permeability for
soils exist, for soils exist, including in-situ methods and laboratory methods. In the
laboratory, two common tests are generally used to determine this soil property. These
two tests are the falling head permeability test and the constant head permeability test.
Which test is used depends upon the type of soil to be tested. For soils of high
permeability (sands and gravels) a constant head test is used. For soils of intermediate to
low permeability, a falling head test is used. As we were testing sand we used a constant
head permeability test.
By carrying out the constant head permeability test we can determine the coefficients
of permeability of given sand over range of unit weights. During the test we can observe
the phenomenon of piping.

2.0 OBJECTIVE
 To determine permeability of sands and gravels containing little or no silt.

3.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

 At the end of this experiment, students are able to:
 Describe the procedure to determine the coefficient of permeability of sands and
gravels based on ASTM D2434.
 Identify the relationship between permeability and pore size of the coarse grained
soils.
 Measure the coefficient of permeability of sands and gravels containing little or
no slit.

4.0 THEORY
 The most common permeability cell (permeameter) is 75mm in diameter and is
intended for sands containing particles up to about 5mm. A larger cell, 114mm, can be
used for testing sands containing particles up to about 10mm, i.e. medium gravel size. As
a general rule the ratio of the cell diameter to the diameter of the largest size of particle in
significant quantity should be at least 12. The constant head permeability cell is intended
for testing disturbed granular soils which are recompacted into the cell, either by using a
specified compactive effort, or to achieve a certain dry density, i.e. void ratio.
In the constant head test, water is made to flow through a column of soil under the
application of a pressure difference which remains constant, i.e. under a constant head.
The amount of water passing through the soil in a known time is measured, and the
permeability of the sample is calculated by using Equation (1).
If the connections to the cell are arranged so that water flows upwards through the
sample, the critical hydraulic gradient can be determined after measuring the steady state
permeability, and the effects of instability (boiling and piping) can be observed. It is
important that use only air-free water, and measures for preventing air bubbling out of
solution during these tests is very crucial.

q
Permeability, K = m/s
Ai
Where: q = rate of flow,
A = area of sample,
i = hydraulic gradient,
h1−h 2
¿
L

h1 - h2 = head difference between 2 reference points

L = distance between 2 reference points

5.0 TEST EQUIPMENTS

  Constant head permeability cells, fitted with loading piston, perforated plates,
flow tube connections, piezometer nipples and connections, air bleed valve,
sealing rings. Figure 1 shows permeameter cells that commonly used in laboratory
testing.

6.0 PROCEDURES

1. Prepare permeameter cell,

a. Remove the top plate assembly from the cell.
b. Measure the following dimensions:
i. Mean internal diameter (D mm),
ii. Distance between centres of each set of manometer connection points along the
axis of the cell (L mm),
iii. Overall approximate internal length of cell (H1 mm),
c. Calculate the following based on measured dimensions:
i. Area of cross-section of sample, A = D 2 /4 mm2
ii. Approximate mass of soil required, to fill the permeameter cell, V = A H1/1000
cm3
iii. Approximate mass of soil required, if placed at a density  Mg/m3 , mass =  A
H1/1000 g

2. Select sample,
a. Air-dry the soil which the test sample is to be taken.
b. Sieve the soil sample and any particles larger than 5 mm need to be removed by sieving.
c. The material needs to be reduced by the usual riffling process to produce several batches of
samples each about equal to the mass required to fill the permeameter cell

3. Prepare sample,
a. The sample may be placed in the permeameter cell by one of three methods:
i. Compacting by rodding,
ii. Dry pouring,
iii. Pouring through water
4. Assemble cell
a. Place a second porous disc (if one has already been used) and the second wire gauze disc
on top of the soil, followed by about 40mm thickness of glass balls or gravel filter material,
b. The level of the top surface of the filter should be within the limits required to
accommodate the top plate,
c. Slacken the piston locking collar on the cell top, pull the piston up as far as it will go, and
re-tighten the locking collar,
d. Fit the cell top on the cell and tighten it down into place by progressively tightening the
clamping screws,
e. Release the piston locking collar and push the piston down until the perforated plate bears
on the filter material,
f. Hold it down firmly while the locking collar is re-tightened

5. Connect up cell
a. Connect the nozzle at the base of the cell to the de-aired water supply, and close the inlet
cock,
b. Connect each piezometer point that is to be used to a manometer tube and close with a
pinchcock close to the cell,
c. Connect the top outlet of the cell to the vacuum, fitted with a water trap, using rigid plastic
or thick-walled rubber tubing
d. Close the air bleed screw on the cell top

6. Saturate and de-air sample

7. Connect up for test

8. Run test
a. Turn on the supply of de-aired water to the constant head device, which be at a low level
initially, b. Open water supply valve that connect it to the cell, and the base outlet cock
c. Allow water to flow through the sample until the conditions appear to be steady and the
water levels in the manometer tubes remain stationary
d. Adjust valve on the supply line to the constant head device so that there is a continuous
small overflow; if this is excessive, the de-aired water will be wasted.
e. To start a test run, empty the measuring cylinder and start the timer at the instant the
measuring cylinder is placed under the outlet overflow. f. Record the clock time at which the
first run is started. g. Read the levels of the water in the manometer tubus (h1, h2, etc) and
measure the water temperature (TC) in the outlet reservoir. h. When the level in the cylinder
reaches a predetermined mark (such as 50ml or 200ml) stop the clock, record the elapsed
time to the nearest half second,

9. Repeat test
a. Emtpy the cylinder, and make four to six repeat runs at about 5 minutes intervals.

10. Dismantle cell

11. Calculate results

12. Report

RESULTS AND CALCULATION

Time from Time Q(ml) Rate of flow, 1/√t k( 10−6
start(min) interval,t(min) q=Q/t(ml/min) t=time from )
start
2 2 580 290 0.707 5.758
4 2 580 290 0.500 5.758
6 2 450 225 0.408 4.468
8 2 070 335 0.354 6.652
10 2 560 280 0.316 5.560
15 5 1380 690 0.258 13.70
20 5 1440 720 0.224 14.30
25 5 1420 710 0.200 14.10
30 5 1420 710 0.183 14.10
35 5 1420 710 0.169 14.10
45 10 1820 910 0.143 18.070
Table 1: Reading
Location: Geotechnic Laboratory Sample no:-
Operator:- Date:31/10/18
Soil description:-
Sample diameter: 80mm Sample length: 23.2mm
Sample area, A: 5026 mm2 Sample volume: 1166 mm 2
Sample dry mass: 1425g Sample dry density: 16.19 kN /m3
S.G. measured/assumed: 2.65 Voids ratio:0.8
Height above datum : inlet Height above datum : outlet mm
mm
Manometer,a = 605.8 mm Manometer,b=0 Manometer,c= 290mm
Head difference a to c(∆H): 15mm Height =90mm
difference, L
Flow upwards/downwards Hydraulic
gradients(∆H/L):
0.66 mm
Temperature:-
Table 2: Constant Head Permeability test
Permeability, k = q/(A x i)
Sample area,
A = 5026 mm ……………..…… from lab sheet
Sample Volume,
V = 1166 cm3…………………....from lab sheet
Hydraulic gradient,
i = head difference (a to c ), ∆H
Difference distance, L
= 15mm
 90mm
= 0.167

Rate of flow,
q1 = 290 ml/min
= 290 ml/min x 1 lit/1000ml x 1 m3 /1000 lit x 1 min/60sec
= 4.83 x 10−6 m3 /s
Rate of flow,
q2 = 290 ml/min
= 290 ml/min x 1 lit/1000ml x 1 m3 /1000 lit x 1 min/60sec
= 4.83 x 10−6 m3 /s
Rate of flow,
q3 = 225 ml/min
= 225 ml/min x 1 lit/1000ml x 1 m3 /1000 lit x 1 min/60sec
3
= 3.75 x 10−6 m /s
Rate of flow,
q4 = 335 ml/min
= 335 ml/min x 1 lit/1000ml x 1 m3 /1000 lit x 1 min/60sec
3
= 5.583 x 10−6 m /s

Permeability,
k1 = 4.83 x 10−6
(5.026 x 0.167)
= 5.758x 10
−6
m/s

Permeability,
k2 = 4.83 x 10−6
(5.026 x 0.167)
= 5.758x 10
−6
m/s
Permeability,
k3 = 3.75 x 10−6 m3 /s
(5.026 x 0.167)
= 4.468x 10
−6
m/s

q=Q/t against 1/√t

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
290 290 225 335 280 690 720 710 710 710 910

10.0 DISCUSSION
The value of the k (permeability) that we get is 3.050 x 10-6 m/s. This value we get
by using the formula (k=q/Ai ). Before that, we find the value Ai first and after that we get
the value of q. So, the permeability of this sample is moderate. This is because the porosity of
sand and gravel is high or moderate where by water can flows through the soil with less
resistance. It can drain water easily but hardly can retain any water.
The greater pore size of soil is more permeability then the soil with smaller pore size.
From value of k, we can classify the type of soil that we use is silty sands or silty clays and
this types of soil is not suitable for drainage system.
 Table 1 shows the range of average values for k for various soil and also indicates
potential drainage.
Soil Type K(m/s) Potential
Fine Gravel 100-1 Very Good Drainage
Medium and Coarse Sands 1-10-1 Very Good Drainage
Fine Sands 10-1-10-2 Very Good Drainage
Silty Sands 10-2-10-3 Good Drainage
Silt and Silty Sands 10-3-10-5 Good Drainage
Silty Sands, Silty Clays 10-5-10-7 Poor Drainage
Clays 10-7-10-9 Practically Impervious

The coefficient of permeability may be defined as the flow velocity produced by a

hydraulic gradient of unity. The value of k is use as a measure of the resistance to flow
offered by the soil, and it is affected by several factors:
a) The porosity of the soil.
b) The particle-size distribution.
c) The shape and orientation of soil particles.
d) The degree of saturation/presence of air.
e) The type of cation and thickness of adsorbed layers associated with clay mineral.
f) The viscosity of the soil water, which varies with temperature.

11.0 CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, we get the time is found to be constant at volume of water. The time
we get is faster. This is because the permeability of the gravel soil absorbs the water is low.
This gravel soil has a large molecular space. Therefore, the water diffusion rate is low. It
appears to be a function of three factors for a constant paste amount and character: effective
air void content, effective void size and drain down. From the coefficient of permeability for
the given sample of soil value, we can say that the rate of flow the sample has get the value
higher.