Falling Head Permeability Test Lab Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
OBJECTIVES
THEORY BACKGROUND
EQUIPMENTS
PROCEDURES
RESULTS
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
1.0 OBJECTIVE
1. To determine permeability of soils of intermediate and low permeability
(less than 10-4 m/s), i.e. silts and clays.
2. TO describe the general accepted practice to determine the coefficient of
permeability of silts and clays.
3. To identify the relationship between permeability and pore size of the fine
grained soils.
4. To measure the coefficient of permeability of silts and clays.
2.0 THEORY BACKGROUND

In the falling head test a relatively short sample is connected to a standpipe
which provides both the head of water and the means of measuring the quantity
of water flowing through the sample. Several standpipes of different diameters
are normally available from which can be selected the diameter most suitable for
the type of material being tested.
In permeability tests on clays, much higher hydraulic gradients than are normally
used with sands can be applied, and are often necessary to induce any
measurable flow. The cohesion of clays provides resistance to failure by piping at
gradients of up to several hundred, even under quite low confining or surcharge
pressures. Dispersive clays however are very susceptible to erosion at much
lower gradient.
The falling head principle can be applied to an undisturbed sample in a sampling
tube and to a sample in an oedometer consolidation cell. The equation used in
determine the permeability of fine grained soils is given in Eqn (1).
Permeability, k
h
aL
log e 1 ..Eqn (1)
A(t 2 t1 )
h2
The time difference (t2-t1) can be expressed as the elapsed time, t (minutes). The
heights h1 and h2 and the length, L are expressed in millimetres, and the areas A
and a in square millimetres. Eqn (1) then becomes Eqn (2).
Permeability, k
h
aL
log e 1 ( mm / s ) ..Eqn (2)
Ax 60t
h2
To convert natural logarithms to ordinary (base 10) logarithms, multiply by 2.303.

If k is epxressed in m/s, the above equation becomes Eqn (3).
Permeability , k
h
2.303aL
log10 1 ( m / s ) ..Eqn (3)
1000 xAx 60t
h2
Where: a = area of cross-section of standpipe

tube,
A = area of cross section of sample
h1 = heights of water above datum in
standpipe at time t1
h2 = heights of water above datum in
standpipe at time t2
L = heights of sample
t = elapsed time in minutes
3.0 EQUIPMENTS
1. Permeameter cell, comprising:
Cell body, with cutting edge (core cutter), 100 mm diameter and 130 mm
long.
Perforated base plate with straining rods and wing nuts.
Top clamping plate.
Connecting tube and fittings.
Figure 1: Compaction permeameter

(Courtesy of ELE International, 2007)
4.0 PROCEDURES
1. Assemble apparatus,
a.
The apparatus is set up as shown in Figure 2. The volume of water

passing through a sample of low permeability is quite small and a
continuous supply of de-aired water is not necessary, but the
reservoir supplying the de-airing tank should be filled with distilled
or de-ionised water
2. Calibrate manometer tubes,

a.
The areas of cross-section of the three manometer tubes should

be determined as follows for each tube:
i.
The tube is filled with water up to a known mark near the

top of the scale, observed to the nearest mm.
ii.
Water is runoff from the tube into a weighted beaker, until

the level in the tube has fallen by about 500mm or more.
iii.
The new water level is read on the scale, to the nearest

mm.
iv.
The beaker containing water from the tube (weighings

should be to the nearest 0.01g) is weighted.
v.
The diameter of the manometer can be calculated as

follows:
diameter, a
1000m w
mm2
h1 h2
If mw = mass of water (g),

h1 = initial level in tube (mm),
h2 = final level in tube (mm),
A = area of cross-section of tube (mm2)
vi.
The measurements is repeated two or three times for each

tube, and average the results.
vii.
3. Prepare cell,
a.
The cell is dismantled.
b.
The cell body is checked clean and dry, and weighted to the
nearest 0.1g.
c.
The mean internal diameter (D) and length (L) is measured to the
nearest 0.5mm.
4. Prepare sample,
a.
Undisturbed sample can be taken by means of core cutter.
b.
The sample is make sure that have a tight fit in the body and there
are no cavities around the perimeter through which water could
pass.
5. Assemble cell
6. Connect cell
7. Saturate and de-air sample
8. Fill manometer system
9. Run test
a.
Screw clip at inlet is opened to allow water to flow down through

the sample, and the water level is observed in the standpipe.
b.
As soon as it reaches the level h1, the timer clock is started.
c.
The time is observed and recored when the level reaches h 3, and
when it reaches h2, then the clock is stopped.
d.
Screw clip at inlet is closed.
10. Repeat test

11. Calculate permeability
12. Report result
The time will be taken when the level reach at 900mm,800mm,700mm
The level of height above datum are be taken using ruler

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.0 THEORY BACKGROUND

To convert natural logarithms to ordinary (base 10) logarithms, multiply by 2.303.

Where: a = area of cross-section of standpipe

Figure 1: Compaction permeameter

The apparatus is set up as shown in Figure 2. The volume of water

2. Calibrate manometer tubes,

The areas of cross-section of the three manometer tubes should

The tube is filled with water up to a known mark near the

Water is runoff from the tube into a weighted beaker, until

The new water level is read on the scale, to the nearest

The beaker containing water from the tube (weighings

The diameter of the manometer can be calculated as

If mw = mass of water (g),

The measurements is repeated two or three times for each

The cell is dismantled.

Undisturbed sample can be taken by means of core cutter.

Screw clip at inlet is opened to allow water to flow down through

As soon as it reaches the level h1, the timer clock is started.

Screw clip at inlet is closed.

10. Repeat test

The time will be taken when the level reach at 900mm,800mm,700mm

The level of height above datum are be taken using ruler

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