Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 29 views

    Falling Head Test Purpose

    Uploaded by

    Hussein El Beqai
    The document describes a falling head permeability test procedure used to determine the permeability of fine-grained soils like silts and clays. The test involves placing a soil sample in a permeameter cell and saturating it with water. Water is then allowed to flow through the sample from a standpipe, and the time it takes for the water level in the standpipe to drop between two marks is recorded. This is repeated for multiple runs. The coefficient of permeability is then calculated using measurements of the standpipe area, sample length and area, test time, and initial and final water levels.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Falling Head Test Purpose

    Uploaded by

    Hussein El Beqai
    29 views4 pages
    The document describes a falling head permeability test procedure used to determine the permeability of fine-grained soils like silts and clays. The test involves placing a soil sample in a permeameter cell and saturating it with water. Water is then allowed to flow through the sample from a standpipe, and the time it takes for the water level in the standpipe to drop between two marks is recorded. This is repeated for multiple runs. The coefficient of permeability is then calculated using measurements of the standpipe area, sample length and area, test time, and initial and final water levels.

    Original Title

    5_2022_03_19!04_34_23_PM

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document describes a falling head permeability test procedure used to determine the permeability of fine-grained soils like silts and clays. The test involves placing a soil sample in a permeameter cell and saturating it with water. Water is then allowed to flow through the sample from a standpipe, and the time it takes for the water level in the standpipe to drop between two marks is recorded. This is repeated for multiple runs. The coefficient of permeability is then calculated using measurements of the standpipe area, sample length and area, test time, and initial and final water levels.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    29 views4 pages

    Falling Head Test Purpose

    Uploaded by

    Hussein El Beqai
    The document describes a falling head permeability test procedure used to determine the permeability of fine-grained soils like silts and clays. The test involves placing a soil sample in a permeameter cell and saturating it with water. Water is then allowed to flow through the sample from a standpipe, and the time it takes for the water level in the standpipe to drop between two marks is recorded. This is repeated for multiple runs. The coefficient of permeability is then calculated using measurements of the standpipe area, sample length and area, test time, and initial and final water levels.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Mustansiriyah University Faculty of Engineering/ Civil Eng. Dep.

    Falling Head Test


    Purpose:
    The falling head permeability test (variable head test) is a common
    laboratory testing method performed to determine the permeability of fine
    grained soils with medium and low permeability such as silts and clays.
    In this test a relatively short sample is connected to a standpipe which
    provides both the head of water and measurement of water quantity
    flowing through the sample.

    Apparatus:
    1. Permeameter cell or Mold.
    2. Standpipe (manometer) panel.
    3. Timer.
    4. Graduated cylinder.
    5. Thermometer.

    Soil lab. / Lecturer: Raghad Mohammed Kudadad


    1
    Mustansiriyah University Faculty of Engineering/ Civil Eng. Dep.

    Specimen preparation:
    This testing method can be applied to an undisturbed sample, compacted
    sample or prepared sample in the laboratory by placing it inside the
    permeameter cell.

    Before placing the soil sample in the permeameter, measure the inside
    diameter (D) and height (L) of the permeameter cell. Place porous stone
    or filter paper in the bottom of the cell, then put the soil sample. Add a
    filter paper on the top of the soil sample and assembly the top part of the
    permeameter device.

    Saturate the soil sample by flowing water through it. It is important that
    the sample be fully saturated; otherwise, the falling head test will give
    erroneous results. Then apply a vacuum or remove any entrapped air
    within the sample.

    Test procedure:
    1. Determine the standpipe area (a). Note that the diameter of the
    standpipe depends on the permeability of the tested soil.

    2. Locate hl and h2 on the standpipe. Then fill it with distilled water.

    3. Allow water to flow down through the sample and observe the water
    level in the standpipe. As soon as it reaches the level h1,start the timer
    clock.

    4. When the level of water in the standpipe reaches h2, stop the clock and
    record the time required for the water in the standpipe to drop from h1 to
    h2.

    5. Refill the standpipe and repeat the test two to three times. Use the same
    h1and h2 values and obtain the corresponding elapsed times. Record the
    temperature of water (T) for each run.

    Soil lab. / Lecturer: Raghad Mohammed Kudadad


    2
    Mustansiriyah University Faculty of Engineering/ Civil Eng. Dep.

    Calculation:
    Calculate coefficient of permeability, k. as follows:

    Where:
    k = coefficient of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) (m/s).
    a = the inside area of the standpipe ( ), d= inside diameter of
    standpipe).
    L = Length of the sample.
    A =the inside area of specimen ( ), D= inside diameter of
    permeameter).
    t = elapsed time of test (s).
    h1 = the elevation of water in the standpipe at time t=0.
    h2 = the elevation I water in the standpipe at time equal to t.

    Usually the average coefficient of permeability of the test sample is


    expressed in two significant figures, with the form kT = 2.3 × 10-4 m / s.

    Soil lab. / Lecturer: Raghad Mohammed Kudadad


    3
    Mustansiriyah University Faculty of Engineering/ Civil Eng. Dep.

    Falling Head Test (Data Sheet)

    Date tested:

    Specimen diameter, D = 10.2 cm.

    Specimen height, L = 11.6 cm.

    Specimen area, A =81.1 (cm)3 .

    Water Temp., T = 21 oC.

    Standpipe area, a = Vol./h = Q/(h1-h2).

    Test time Q out kT k20


    Test No. h1 (cm) h2 (cm)
    (s) (cm)3 (cm/s) (cm/s)
    1 51.1 24.3 54.1 45.8
    2 51.1 24.3 54.2
    3 51.1 24.3 54.3
    average

    Calculate the coefficient of permeability, k20 =----------------- cm/s.

    Soil lab. / Lecturer: Raghad Mohammed Kudadad


    4

    You might also like