10 Constant-Head Permeability Test in Sand

10.1 Introduction
The rate of How of water through a soil specimen of gross cross-sectional area A can be

Expressed as

q=kiA (10.1)

where q=flow in unit time

k=coefficient of permeability

I=hydraulic gradient

Table (10.1) lists the general ranges of the coefficient or permeability k for various types of

Soil.

The coefficient of permeability of sand can be determined easily in the laboratory by

two simple methods, (1) the constant-head test and (2) the variable-head test. In this chapter

the constant-head test method will be discussed.

10.2 Equipment
1. Constant-head permeameter

2. Graduated cylinder (250 cm3 or 500 cm3)

3. Balance sensitive to 0. 1 g

4. Thermometer sensitive to 0.1°C

5. Rubber tubing

6. Stop watch

Table 10.1. Range of k for Various Soil Types

Soil K(cm/s)
Clean gravel 102_100
Coarse sand 102_100
Fine sand 10-2_10-3
Silly clay 10-3_10-5
Clay Less than 10-6

10.3 Constant-Head Permeameter

A schematic diagram of a constant-head permeameter shown in fig. 10. 1. This instrument
can be assembled in the laboratory at very low cost. It essentially consists of a plastic
soil specimen cylinder two porous stones, two rubber stoppers, one spring, one constant-
head chamber a large funnel, a stand, a scale, three clamps, and some plastic rubes. The
plastic cylinder may have an inside diameter of 2.5 in. (63,5 mm). This is because 2.5-in,
(63.5-mm)-diameter porous stones are usually available in most soil laboratories. The length
of the specimen tube may be about 12 in. (304.8 mm).
It is important to keep in mind that the minimum inside diameter of the specimen
cylinder should be about 8 to12 times the maximum particle size of the soil to be tested
(ASTM. 2007). Table 10.2 gives some recommended diameters of specimen cylinders.

10.4 Procedure
1. Determine the mass of the plastic specimen tube, the porous stones, the spring, and the

two rubber stoppers, M1·

2. Slip the bottom porous stone into the specimen tube and then fix the bottom rubber

stopper to the specimen tube.

3. Collect oven-dry sand in a container. Using a spoon, pour the sand into the specimen

tube in small layers, and compact it by vibration and/or other compacting means. (Not:

By changing the degree of compaction, a number of test specimens having different

void ratios can be prepared.)

4. When the length of the specimen tube is about two-thirds the length of the tube, slip the

top porous stone into the tube to rest firmly on the specimen.

5. Place a spring on the top porous stone, if necessary.

6. Fix a rubber stopper to the top of the specimen tube. (Note: the spring in the assembled

position will not allow any expansion of the specimen volume, and thus the void ratio

during the test).

7. Determine the mass of the assembly, M2 (Step 6).

8. Measure the length L of the compacted specimen in the tube.

9. Assemble the permeameter near a sink, m shown in fig. 10.1.

10. Run water into the top of the large tunnel fixed to the sand through a plastic tube from

the water inlet. The water will flow through the specimen to the constant-head chamber.
 Maximum Particle Sieve Analysis Minimum Cylinder
Size Range diameter

No. 10 (2 mm) sieve to Less than 35% of total soil 3 in. (76 mm)
3/8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve retained on No.10 sieve
more than 35% of total soil 4.5 in. (114 mm)
retained on No.10 sieve
3/8 in. (9.5-mm) sieve 10 Less than 35% of total soil 6 in. (152 mm)
3/4-m. (19.0-mm) sieve retained on 3/8-in.(9.5-mm)
sieve
More than 35% of total soil 9 in. (229 mm)
retained on 3/8-in.(9.5-mm)
sieve
Table 10.2. Recommended Inside Diameters of Specimen Cylinders·

ASTM (2007),

After some time, the water will flow into the sink through the outlet in the constant head

chamber. (Note: Make sure that water does not leak from the specimen tube.)

11. Adjust the supply of water to the funnel so that the water level in the funnel remains

constant. At the same lime, allow the flow to continue for about I0 minutes in order t0

saturate the specimen. (Note: Some air bubbles may appear in the plastic tube connecting

the funnel to the specimen tube. Remove the air bubbles.)

12. After a steady flow is established (that is, once the head difference h becomes constant).

collect the water Q flowing out of the constant-head chamber in a graduated cylinder

Record the collection time t with a stopwatch.

13. Repeat Step 12 three times. Keep the collection time t the same and determine Q, Then

find the average value of Q·

14. Change the head difference h and repeat steps 11, 12, and 13 about three times

15. Record the temperature T of the water to the nearest degree. (Note: This value is

sufficiently accurate for this type of test.)

10.5 Calculations
1. Calculate the void ratio of the compacted specimen as follows. The dry density Ρd of

the soil specimen is

ρd=(M2-M1)/(π/4D2L)

=(4147-1909.6)/633.3=3.53 g/cm3

Thus,

e=(Gsρw)/ρd-I =2.33*1/3.53=-0.34 ? (10.2)

where Gs=specific gravity of soil solids

ρw=density of water

D=diameter of specimen

L=length of specimen

2. Calculate k,

K=(QL/Aht) (10.3)

where A is the area of the specimen.

A=π/4 D2

3. The value of k is usually given for water at a test temperature of 20°C. So calculate

k20 °C·

k20 °C =KT°C (ƞT°C/ ƞ20°C ) (10.4)

w here ƞT°C and ƞ20°C are the viscosities of water at T° C and 20°C. respectively.

Table 10.3 gives the values of (ƞT°C/ ƞ20°C ) for various values of T (in℃).

Tables 10.4 and 10.5 show sample calculations for the permeability test.

10.6 General Comments

Several relations between k and the void ratio e for sandy soils have been proposed. they

are of the form

k α e2 (10.5)

k α e2 /(1 + e) ( 10.6)

k α e3/(1+e) (10.7)

II is important, However, to point out that these relationships are approximate, And the actual

value of k may vary widely.

Table 10.3. Variation of ƞT°C / ƞ20°C

Temperature T°C ƞT°C / ƞ20°C Temperature T°C ƞT°C / ƞ20°C

15 1.135 23 0.931
16 1.106 24 0.910
17 1.077 25 0.889
18 1.051 26 0.869
19 1.025 27 0.850
20 1.000 28 0.832
21 0.976 29 0.814
22 0.953 30 0.797
Table 10.4. Determination of Void Ratio of Specimen-Constant-Head Permeability Test
Description of soil sand Sample no.1 location MUT length of specimen L= 20cm Diameter of
specimen D =7.9cm

Volume of specimen v=(π/4)D2L (cm3) 633.3

Specific gravity of soil solids , Gs. 2.66
Mass of specimen tube with fittings, M1 (g) 1909.6
Mass of tube with fittings and specimen, M2 (g) 4147
Dry density of specimen ρd=(M2-M1)/v (g/cm3) 3.53

Void ratio of specimen e=((Gsρw)/ρd)-1=-0.24 (?????)

(note: ρw=1g/cm3)

Table 10.5. Determination of Coefficient of Permeability-Constant-Head Permeability Test

Description of soil Sand Sample no. 1 (only one try)

Location MUT

Length of specimen L 20cm Diameter 7.9cm

Tested by civ445 class date------------------

Test No. 1 2 3
Average flow, Q (cm3) 0.3
Time of collection, t(s) 30
Temperature of water,T(°C) ?
Head difference, h(cm) 210
Diameter of specimen, D(cm) 7.9
Length of specimen, L(cm) 20
Area of specimen, A (cm2) 49
K=QL/Aht (cm/s) 1.94

Average K=1.94 cm/s

k20 °C =KT°C (ƞT°C/ ƞ20°C )=---------------------cm/s