Experiment 4

Constant Permeability Test

Objective:
To determine the permeability of the sand gravel soil.

Apparatus:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Constant head permeameter

Graduated flask
Sensitive balance
Stop watch

Procedure
1. The sand has been filled in to the constant head permeameter.
2. Water is allowed to flow through the funnel until the water level in the funnel is
constant.
3. The bottom outlet is opened, run water through the permeameter until the sand is
saturated and no air bubbles appear to flow out of the discharge pipe.
4. Measure the head of water (h), distance between the water surface in the funnel
and the bottom outlet of the permeameter.
5. Run the water with the bottom outlet open for some time to achieve steady state at
that particular height.
6. Start the stop watch and collect the discharge water in the conical flask each
10seconds.
7. The volume of water collected is determined.
8. The head is changed by adjusting the height.
9. Step 4 to step 10 is repeated to calculate the average k.

Discussion

Permeability is commonly measured in terms of the rate of water flow

through the soil in a given period of time. It is usually expressed either as a
permeability rate in centimeters per hour (cm/h), millimeters per hour (mm/h), or
centimeters per day (cm/d), or as a coefficient of permeability k in meters per
second (m/s) or in centimeters per second (cm/s). Soil permeability is the property
of the soil to transmit water and air. Soil permeability relates to soil texture and
structure. The size of the soil pores is of great importance with regard to the rate
of infiltration and to the rate of percolation. Pore size and the number of pores
closely relate to soil texture and structure, and also influence soil permeability.
Soil with higher coefficient of permeability is more porous and will allow more
water to move through the sample. The more permeable the soil, the greater the
seepage. The finer the soil texture, the slower the permeability,
CONCLUSION
The experiment proved to be successful as the permeability of the sand gravel soil
is determined. Constant head testing was conducted on the sand gravel, the test
determined the sand had a permeability coefficient of 2.94 x10-2 cm/s. It was
found the theoretical value had a permeability coefficient of 2.95 x10-2 cm/s. The
experimental results appeared to be almost the same as the theoretical result.
Permeability testing is based on water at 20C. The water during testing was at
25C, so mathematical corrections were made. As permeability is a measure of the
ability of water to pass through a soil sample it is in direct relation to soils
porosity and grading. Soil with higher coefficient of permeability is more porous
and will allow more water to move through the sample.