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Constant Head Permeability Test

The constant head permeability test is used to determine the permeability of granular soils like sand and gravel. It involves saturating a soil sample in a permeability cell and measuring the flow rate of water through the sample under a constant head over time. Experimental results found the permeability coefficient (k) to average 0.0354 cm/s for the tested soil. Some potential errors include inaccurate stopwatch timing. Proper equipment use, calibration, and documentation are needed to ensure quality results. General laboratory safety practices must also be followed.

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Salih Mohayaddin
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1K views6 pages

Constant Head Permeability Test

The constant head permeability test is used to determine the permeability of granular soils like sand and gravel. It involves saturating a soil sample in a permeability cell and measuring the flow rate of water through the sample under a constant head over time. Experimental results found the permeability coefficient (k) to average 0.0354 cm/s for the tested soil. Some potential errors include inaccurate stopwatch timing. Proper equipment use, calibration, and documentation are needed to ensure quality results. General laboratory safety practices must also be followed.

Uploaded by

Salih Mohayaddin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Prepared by

Salih Samer Muhyiddin


Lara kosrat Adel
Burin nazil jabali
Sarmand Azeir Sleman
Lakstan badran salih
Under the Guidance of
Constant Head Permeability Test Ghazala Asaad
Constant Head Permeability Test
Introduction
The ease with which water can flow through a soil called permeability or hydraulic conductivity,
and it is important to calculate leakage through floor dams or under walls, calculate leakage rate
from waste storage facilities and settle mud sediments in the soil. The fixed height test for sand
permeability is a laboratory experiment conducted to determine soil permeability. The suitable
soil for these tests is sand and gravel. Soil with silt content cannot be tested using this method.

For coarse sand, the permeability coefficient value may vary from 1 to 0.01 cm / s, and for
fine sand, it can range in the range of 0.01 to 0.001 cm / s.

Explain the experiment


The constant head permeability test is a common laboratory testing method used to determine the
permeability of granular soils like sands and gravels containing little or no silt. This testing
method is made for testing reconstituted or disturbed granular soil samples

Purpose of the experiment


Determine the coefficient of permeability of a granular soil by conducting constant head method.

Equipment used
1. Constant head permeameter (permeability cell)

2. Graduated cylinder (250 cc or 500 cc) (graded cylinder)

3. Balance, sensitive up to 0.1g

4. Thermometer, sensitive up to 0.1 ° C (thermometer 0.1 ° C)

5. Rubber tubing

6. Stop watch

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The figure below shows a schematic diagram of the permeability device. This device can be
assembled in the laboratory at a very low cost. It mainly consists of a plastic soil sample
cylinder, two porous chambers, rubber gaskets, one spring, fixed head compartment, large
armrest, stand, gauge, three clamps, and some plastic tubes. The diameter of the plastic cylinder
inside may be 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). This is because porous stones with a diameter of 2.5 inches
(63.5 mm) are usually available in most soil laboratories. The length of the sample tube may be
approximately 12 inches (304.8 mm).

The method of work

1. We take the weight of the plastic sample tube, the device, the spring, and the rubber
sealers, and so on (W1).

2. Selecting a sample of the soil for examination and determining the permeability
coefficient.

3. Measure the inner diameter of the cylinder by means of a ruler to calculate the area.

4. We place the soil sample in the cylinder and it is placed either with one or several layers
with a difference in the degree of compacting the sample to obtain a different dry density.
The top surface of the sample is then leveled, and the sample length (L) is calculated.

5. We place the porous volume on the top surface of the sample, then the cylinder is closed
by the rubber seal and the air is discharged from the sample, then water is allowed to
enter the cylinder in order to saturate the sample and the water entering from the bottom
up. After some time has passed, the water flows from inside the cylinder to the basin
through an outlet in the fixed height chamber, while the height of the water remains
constant inside the cylinder, but the flow is allowed to continue for (10 minutes) to
saturate the sample.

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Theory of experiment Gaps are
1. calculated using the following law:

2. We calculate k as follows:

Where: -
K: - Permeability of the soil

Q: - Draining the water

L: - the height of the soil sample

t: - time taken to drain

Tube space

1. Re: K20C: -

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Experimental Results and calculations:

Test No. 1 2 3
Average Flow, Q 200 150 100
(cm3)
Time of Collection, 36 27 15
t(s)
Head, h1(cm) 31 31 31
Head, h2(cm) 2 2 2
Head Difference,
h(cm) 29 29 29
Diameter of
Specimen, D(cm) 11.5 11.5 11.5
Length of Specimen 18 18 18
Area of Specimen,
𝛑
A = 𝐃𝟐 (𝐜𝐦𝟐 ) 103.8 103.8 103.8
𝟒
𝐐𝐋 𝐜𝐦
K= ( ) 0.0332 0.0332 0.0398
𝐀𝐡𝐭 𝐬
𝐜𝐦
Average k = 0.0354 ( )
𝐬
Conclusion
This Equipment used on granular soil and it allows water to move through the soil under a steady
state head condition while the quantity (volume) of water flowing through the soil specimen is
measured over a period of time by knowing the amount of water measured, length of specimen,
cross-sectional area of the specimen and the water discharged time.

Discussion
This equipment is used in granular soil and allows water to move through the soil under a stable
condition, while the amount (volume) of water flowing through the soil sample is measured over
a period of time by knowing the amount of measured water and the length of the sample, a cross-
sectional area of the sample and the time of water discharge.

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Errors
Some errors may occur during the experiment and include errors that affect the
value of the discharge and thus the permeability coefficient (Kd) and these errors
are due to the failure to set the stopwatch often well.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
All devices should be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Equipment
inspection and calibration activities should be performed. All data should be documented in
laboratory books.

Health and Safety


The general safety practices of the laboratory must be followed. Waste samples should be
treated with caution due to the uncertainty of the property and contents involved. All excess
samples, used samples, and waste materials generated during the analysis should be disposed of.

Reference
https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/introduction-to-
geotechnical-engineering/coursework/lab-5-constant-head-permeability-test/1779320/view

http://www.iricen.gov.in/LAB/res/html/Test-13.html

https://www.alnaqeeb.me/constant-head-permeability-test/

https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/soil-permeability-test

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