Permeability Test

Soil Mechanics Lab
Lab# 6
Constant-Head Permeability Test in Sand
Introduction
Aggregates which are combinations of clay, sand, silt and gravel, play fundamental role
in civil engineering development and construction. The use of soil composites in engineering
fields is abundant, where they are added with cement to make concrete, for instance. And they
form the underlying material of structures foundation. There are several forms of construction
and therefore various properties of soil are required to meet standards set to ensure stability of
structures. Soil types differ in their properties and behavior. This document will discuss the
constant-head permeability test in sand, which is a measure of rate of flow of fluids through soil.
This test helps making several conclusions regarding the soil sample and its validity for
engineering applications.
Purpose
In this lab, the purpose is to be able to measure the rate of flow of water through soil. It is
also crucial to understand that when fluids pass through soil rapidly, it is an indication of more
voids or flowlines exist inside the soil, and that decreases the effective bearing of stresses applied
to soil particles. The constant-head permeability test aids in understanding some other physical
properties about soil. Particles of soil are best when they fill the air voids between them, which
increase their density, which increases the shear strength and decreases the possibility of
shrinkage and settlements.
Materials & Apparatus:
1- Constant-head permeameter
2- Graduated cylinder (250 cm3 or 500 cm3 )
3- Balance sensitive to 0.1g
4- Thermometer sensitive to 0.1 oc
5- Rubber tubing
6- Stopwatch
Procedure: quoted from the Lab6 Manuel,

1- Determine the mass of the plastic specimen tube, two porous stones,
the spring, and the base, Ml.
2- Determine the diameter of the plastic specimen tube, D.
3- Insert the specimen tube into the base and place the first porous stone
in the tube.
4- Pour oven-dry sand into the specimen tube in small layers up to twothirds of the tube, compacting each layer either by vibration or by any
other means.
5- Slip the top porous stone into the tube to rest firmly on the specimen.
6- Place a spring on the top porous stone, if necessary
7- Determine the mass of the assembly, M2.
8- Measure the length L of the compacted specimen in the tube.
9- Assemble the permeameter near a sink by installing the top part, which consists of the
inflow and a constant flow funnel.
10-
Run water into the top of the funnel fixed to the stand through a
plastic tube from the water inlet. The water will flow through the
specimen to the constant-head chamber.
11Adjust the supply of water to the funnel so that the water level
in the funnel remains constant. At the time, allow the flow to continue
for about 10 minutes in order to saturate the specimen.
12Open the outflow
13After a steady flow is established, that is, once the head
difference h becomes constant (at such time the water level in the
funnel is constant), take the height from the outflow channel to the
constant water level in the funnel, h.
14With beaker, collect water from the outflow for exactly one
minute and measure the volume, Q.
15Repeat step 14 two or more times to get Q2 and Q3
16Take the average of three flows. This will be the flow, Q.
Data and Calculations:

Trial
Temperature (
Time (Sec)
Volume (ml)
Head Height
10.35
10.35
9.34
49
50
50
3ft + 5.25in
3ft + 5.75in
3ft + 6.5in
)
1
2
3
23.6
23.3
21.9
Item
Average Flow, Q
1
49
Test No.
2
50
3
50
10.35
10.35
9.34
23.6
23.3
21.9
104.78
106.05
107.95
6.35
6.35
6.35
10.16
10.16
10.16
31.7
31.7
31.7
0.0145
0.0146
0.0159
(cm3)
Time of Collection,
t(s)
Temperature of
Water, T ()
Head Difference, h
(cm)
Diameter of
Specimen, D (cm)
Length of Specimen,
L (cm)
Area of Specimen,
A=
2
D (cm2 )
4
k=
QL cm
( )
Aht s
lb
Constants: Gs=2.68( ft 3 ) ,
w =62.4(
lb
lb
6.25 2 4 =0.056 3 =96.8 3
4
ft
M M 1 (4.53.4) lb
d = 2
=
2
( D L)
4
Thus,
lb
) ,
3
ft
e=
G s
2.68 62.4
lb
1=
1=0.73 3
d
96.8
ft
q=kiA =
khA 0.015 106.26 31.7

cm 3
=
=4.97
L
10.16
s
k 20 =k T
T
=22.83 0.93=21.24
20
Discussion
From what we can see after completing the calculations, the dry unit weight is 96.8
lb./ft^3. Also, we found that e = 0.73 lb/ft^3. And the rate of flow of water through the soil is
4.97 cm^3/sec. it can be seen that the soil sample allows a great amount of water to pass through
which decreases its validity for engineering applications. It is due to air voids that water can find
flow channels through the soil. It is clear now that the constant-head test provides critical
information regarding some of the types, properties, and behavior of soil. Using the data
obtained, we were able to apply several formulas that assisted in making several conclusions
about the soil sample. The constant-head permeability test, for example, assessed in
understanding that soil shear strength is greatly affected by air voids in soil, and when soil has
great amounts of air voids, the stress can build on less soil particles and at a certain point the
particles would start compacting which causes shrinkage and settlements. When accruing, the
foundation of any structural project would be affected greatly in terms of strength and
serviceability.

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Soil Mechanics Lab

Procedure: quoted from the Lab6 Manuel,

Data and Calculations:

khA 0.015 106.26 31.7

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