DRAFT A

Falling Head Permeability Test

AIM: To determine the coefficient of permeability of soil.

THEORY:
The coefficient of permeability of soil is defined as the rate of flow (laminar flow conditions)
through a unit cross sectional area under a unit hydraulic gradient.

NEED AND SCOPE:

The determination of coefficient of permeability has direct applications in Civil Engineering.
Some applications are:
1. Seepage of water through earthen dams
2. Stability of earthen dams and embankments
3. Yield of a water bearing strata

The laboratory determination of coefficient of permeability is achieved by the following two

methods:
1. Constant Head Permeability Test (applicable for coarse grained soil)
2. Falling Head Permeability Test (applicable for fine grained soil)

PREPARATION OF THE SPECIMEN:

The test may be carried out on two types of samples – a. undisturbed and b. disturbed

Remoulded specimen
The specimen can be prepared either by static compaction or dynamic compaction.

Preparation of sample using dynamic compaction:

1. Take about 2500gm of the soil specimen.
2. Assemble the permeameter for dynamic compaction. The inside of the mould should be
greased and then placed over the compaction plate.
3. Weigh the assembly correct to a gm (W). Insert the collar at the end.
4. Fill the soil in three layers subjecting each layer to 25 blows with a plunger having a
weight of 2.6kg.
5. Remove the collar and trim off the excess soil. Note down the weight of the assembly.
6. Place a filter paper on top of the soil specimen and fix a perforated plate on it.
7. Invert the assembly. Remove the compaction plate. Place the sealing gasket. Also place a
perforated plate at the top of the soil specimen and fix the top cap.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1. Permeameter with its accessories
2. Standard soil specimen
3. Water
4. Balance to weigh up to 1 gm
5. I.S sieves 4.75 mm and 2 mm
6. Mixing pan
7. Stop watch
8. Measuring jar
9. Meter scale
11. Container for water
12. Trimming knife

TEST PROCEDURE:
1. The specimen is saturated with water.
2. The inlet nozzle of the mould is connected to a stand pipe and a steady flow of water
through the mould is established.
3. The time ‘t’ for a fall of head of ‘h’ in the stand pipe is noted.
4. Step 3 is repeated for three times for the same head ‘h’.

OBSERVATION & RECORDING:

S. No. Description Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3

1. Area of the stand pipe a
(cm2)
2. Cross-sectional area of soil
specimen A (cm2)
3. Length of soil specimen L
(cm)
4. Initial reading h1 (cm)
5. Final reading h2 (cm)
6. Time t (sec)
7. Coefficient of permeability
K=2.303aLlog10(h1/h2)/(At)