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FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY

INTRODUCTION
The falling head permeability test is a common laboratory testing method used to determine
the permeability of fine grained soils with intermediate and low permeability such as silts and
clays. This testing method can be applied to an undisturbed sample.
The falling head permeability test involves flow of water through a relatively short soil
sample connected to a standpipe which provides the water head and also allows measuring the
volume of water passing through the sample. The diameter of the standpipe depends on the
permeability of the tested soil. The test can be carried out in a Falling Head permeability cell
or in an oedometer cell.
On the basis of the test results, the permeability of the sample can be calculated as
K=[a.L / (A.t)].Log(h_U / h_L)

in which we have

L: the height of the soil sample column


A: the sample cross section
a : the cross section of the standpipe
t: the recorded time for the water column to flow though the sample
h_U and h_L : the upper and lower water level in the standpipe measured using the
same water head reference

OBJECTIVE
The falling head permeability test is used for measuring the permeability of soils of
intermediate and low permeability (less than 0.0001 m/s), i.e. silts clay, 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.

APPLICATION
A knowledge of the permeability characteristics of soil is required for many
construction applications, including excavations in water-bearing ground, earth dams, seepage
pressure, piping and erosion,
Other applications include drainage of highway and airfield bases and sub-bases, estimation
of yield from aquifers and the design of graded filters.

K = 1 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 10-5 10-6 10-7 10-8 10-9 10-10 10-11 10-12 m/s
Drainage
Characteristics
Permeability
classification

Soil type

APPARATUS USED

Good
Hgh

Gravels

Medium

Clean
sands

Poor
Low

Practically imprevious
Very low

Very fine or silty


sands

Practically
impermeable

Intact clays

Apparatus
Falling head permeameter
Standard soil specimen
( 2kg )

water
Balance
Sieves 4.75 mm

EQUIPMENT DETAILS

Picture

a. The permeameter is made of non-corrodible material with a capacity of 1000 ml, with
an internal diameter of 100 0.1 mm and effective height of 127.3 0.1 mm.
b. The mould has a detachable base plate and a removable exterior collar.
c. The compacting equipment has a circular face with 50 mm diameter and a length of
d.
e.
f.
g.

310 mm with a weight of 2.5 kg.


The drainage base come with mesh wire and outlet fitting.
The drainage cap come with mesh wire and inlet fitting.
A graduated jar to collect discharge.
The stand pipe arrangements are done on a board with 2 or 3 glass pipes of different
diameters.

PREPARATION OF THE SPECIMEN


The preparation of the specimen for this test is important. There are two types of specimen,
the undisturbed soil sample and the disturbed or made up soil sample.
a) Undisturbed soil specimen
It is prepared as follows :
i.
Weight the permeameter mould body to the nearest 0.1 g (m1).
ii.
Used the soil sampler 100 mm for specimen collection and transfer it to
iii.

permeability mould body for un-disturb specimen.


Trim the ends parallel to the vertical axis of the permeameter mould body.

iv.

From the trimmings, take a sample for moisture content determination.


Determine the mass of the specimen with mould body (m2), to the nearest 0.1

v.

and determine the mass of the specimen, m2 m1 = m.


Measure the length of the specimen and record the average length, L, to the

vi.

nearest 0.5 mm.


Place a an upper and lower plates and two stainless steel wire mesh on the

vii.
viii.

specimen.
Fit the cell top and tightening the tie rods to ensure a leak free seal.
Now, the specimen is ready for test.

DISTURBED SPECIMEN.

1. Sieve the 1000 g with 4.75mm sieve of representative soil and mix it with water to get
optimum moisture content, if necessary. Have the mix in airtight container for 24
hours.
2. Assemble the mould permeameter body with plain base for dynamic compaction.
Weigh the assembly correct to a 0.1g (m1).
3. Now, compact the wet soil in 2 layers with 15 blows to each layer with a 2.5 kg
dynamic tool. Then trim off the excess. Weigh the permeameter mould body with the
specimen (m2).
4. Measure the length of the specimen and record the average length, l, to the nearest
0.5mm.
5. Determine the mass of the specimen to the nearest 0.1, m = m2 m1.
6. Place an upper and lower plates and two wire mesh stainless steel screens on the
specimen.
7. Fit the permeameter top and bottom plate and tightening the tie rods to ensure a leak
free seal.
8. Now, the specimen is ready for test.
SATURATION PROCEDURE
i.
ii.

Prepare the soil specimen as specified above.


Saturate the specimen by connect the water supply container host directly to the cell
inlet nozzle to allow water to flow upwards through the specimen. With cohesive
specimens, the saturation process may take longer than 24 hours.

Notes :
The water level should rise slowly enough not to cause disturbance or piping in the sample.
The rate of flow can be controlled using the lower inlet valve.
It is absolutely essential that the specimen is fully saturated and all air is removed prior to
continuing with the test procedure. Failure to achieve full saturation will lead to inaccuracies
in permeability data obtained.

TEST PROCEDURE

1) Fill the manometer tube with the water and raise the level to give a suitable head of
water .
2) Connect the manometer tube host to the cell inlet noozle taking care not to entrap any
air. Open the cell valve for allowing water to flow through the specimen until a steady
flow is obtained. If the level movement of the manometer to fast,change to bigger
diameter manometer and vise versa. Close the valve and top up the burette with deaired water and reconnect the host.
3) Clearly mark a first point, hi, about 10mm below the level of water in the manometer.
Record the distance from this point, in mm, to the out flow of the permeameter cell
noozle.
4) Clearly mark a second point, hf, some way down the manometer. Record the distance,
in mm, from this point to the out flow of the permeameter cell noozle. Ie 300mm
5) Open the cell noozle valve and start the clock when the water level reaches hi on the
burette.
6) Stop the clock and close the valve when the level when the level reaches hf and record
the time, t, in sec in the report schedule.
7) Collect the water discharge with messuring cylinder and confirmed the water
discharge volume with the head movement in the manometer.
8) Re-fill the manometer above hi mark then repeat the test at least twice more.
Note :
During each test run the time taken for the level to fall from hi to hf should be the about the
same for each test 10%. If the difference is greater, reject the test and repeat.

ANALYSIS DATA :
FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST
Client :

Date Of Test :

Project :
Job Ref :
Bore Hole :
Soil Description :

Sample No.
Depth : (m)

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