MODULE 06: PERMEABILITY AND SEEPAGE

Problem 01:

Water flows through a sand filter as shown in Darcy’s experiment. The cross-sectional
area and length of the soil mass are 0.250 m2 and 2.00 m, respectively. The hydraulic
head difference is 0.175 m and coefficient of permeability is 6.95 x 10-4 m/s. Determine
the flow rate of water through the soil.

Given: 𝐴 = 0.250𝑚2 ; 𝐿 = 2.00 𝑚; ℎ = 0.175 𝑚; 𝑘 = 6.95 𝑥 10−4 m⁄𝑠

Req’d.: flow rate, q

Solution:

ℎ
𝑞 = 𝑘𝑖𝐴 = 𝑘 𝐴
𝐿
0.175
𝑞 = 6.95 𝑥 10−4 ( ) (0.250)
2.00

𝑞 = 1.52 𝑥 10−5 m3 ⁄𝑠

Problem 02:

In a soil test, it took 16.5 minutes for 1520 cm3 of water to flow through a sand sample
whose cross-sectional area was 50.5 cm2. The void ratio of the soil sample was 0.68.
Determine the velocity of water through the soil and the actual velocity in cm/s.

Given: 𝑡 = 16.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛.; 𝑄 = 1520 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝐴 = 50.5 𝑐𝑚2 ; 𝑒 = 0.68

Req’d.: velocity of water, v, and actual velocity, vact

Solution:

Solve for velocity of water through soil, v:

From 𝑞 = 𝐴𝑣

𝑄
𝑞
𝑣= = 𝑡
𝐴 𝐴
1520
𝑣 = 16.5
50.5
1
𝑣 = 1.824 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑥
60

𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟎𝟒 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔
Solve for actual velocity, 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 :

𝑣 (1 + 𝑒 )
𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
𝑒
0.0304(1 + 0.68)
𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
0.68

𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟏 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔

Problem 03:

A constant – head permeability test was conducted on a brown sand with a trace of mica.
The following data were obtained: quantity of water discharged during the test = 260 cm3;
length of specimen between manometer outlets = 11.50 cm; time required for a given
quantity of water to be discharged = 68.0 sec; head (difference between manometer
levels) = 5.7 cm; temperature of water = 20oC; diameter of specimen = 10.16 cm.
Determine the coefficient of permeability

Given: 𝑄 = 260 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝐿 = 11.50 𝑐𝑚; 𝑡 = 68.0 𝑠𝑒𝑐; ℎ = 5.7 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 10.16 𝑐𝑚

Req’d: coefficient of permeability, k

Solution:
𝑄𝐿
From 𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ

260(11.50)
𝑘= 𝜋
(10.16)2 (68)(5.7)
4

𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟓𝟐 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

Problem 04:

For a constant laboratory permeability test on a fine sand, the following data are given:
length of specimen = 16 cm; diameter of specimen = 9.6 cm; constant head difference =
50 cm; volume of water collected in 4 min = 420 cc; void ratio of soil specimen = 0.55.
Determine in cm/sec (a) coefficient of permeability; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage
velocity.

Given: 𝐿 = 16 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 9.6 𝑐𝑚; ℎ = 50 𝑐𝑚; 𝑄 = 420 𝑐𝑐; 𝑡 = 4 𝑚𝑖𝑛; 𝑒 = 0.55

Req’d.: (a) coefficient of permeability; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage velocity

Solution:

(a) Coefficient of permeability, k:

𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ
 420(16)
𝑘= 𝜋
(9.6)2 (4 𝑥 60)(50)
4

𝒌 = 𝟕. 𝟕𝟒 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔

(b) Discharge velocity, v:

𝑄
𝑞
𝑣= = 𝑡
𝐴 𝐴

420
(4 𝑥 60)
𝑣= 𝜋
(9.6)2
4

𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔

(c) Seepage velocity, 𝑣𝑠 :

𝑣 𝑣 (1 + 𝑒 )
𝑣𝑠 = =
𝑛 𝑒
0.024 (1 + 0.55)
𝑣𝑠 =
0.55

𝒗𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟖 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔

Problem 05:

In a constant head permeability test, the following are given: length of soil specimen = 30
cm; cross-sectional area of soil specimen = 110 cm2. If the value of the hydraulic
conductivity is 0.019 cm/sec and a flow rate of 130 cm3/min must be maintained through
the soil, determine (a) head difference across the specimen; (b) discharge velocity under
the test condition; (c) seepage velocity if the porosity of the soil sample is 0.25.

Given: 𝐿 = 30 𝑐𝑚; 𝐴 = 110 𝑐𝑚2 ; 𝑘 = 0.019 cm⁄𝑠; 𝑄 = 130 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝑡 = 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐

Req’d.: (a) head difference; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage velocity

Solution:

(a) Head difference, h

𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ
 𝑄𝐿
ℎ=
𝑘𝐴𝑡

130(30)
ℎ=
0.019 (110)(60)

𝒉 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟎 𝒄𝒎
(b) Discharge velocity, v:

𝑄
𝑣=
𝑡𝐴

130
𝑣=
60(110)

𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟕 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

(c) Seepage velocity

𝒗
𝑣𝒔 =
𝒏

0.0197
𝑣𝑠 =
0.25

𝒗𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

Problem 06:

A falling – head permeability test was conducted on a silty soil. The following data were
obtained: length of specimen = 15.75 cm; diameter of specimen = 10.16 cm; cross-
sectional area of burette = 1.85 cm2; hydraulic head at beginning of test = 125.0 cm;
hydraulic head at end of test = 115 cm; time required for water in the burette to drop = 25
min.; temperature of water = 20oC. Determine the coefficient of permeability.

Given: 𝐿 = 15.75 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 10.16 𝑐𝑚; 𝑎 = 1.85 𝑐𝑚2 ; ℎ1 = 125.0 𝑐𝑚; ℎ2 = 115.0 𝑐𝑚;

𝑡 = 25 𝑚𝑖𝑛.

Req’d.: coefficient of permeability, k

Solution:

𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2

1.85(15.75) 125
𝑘= 𝜋 𝑙𝑛
(10.16)2 (25𝑥 60) 115
4
 𝒌 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔

or

2.3𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2

2.3 (1.85)(15.75) 125

𝑘= 𝜋 𝑙𝑜𝑔
(10.16)2 (25 𝑥 60) 115
4

𝒌 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔

Problem 07:

For a falling – head permeability test, the following are given: length of specimen = 250
mm; area of soil specimen = 1100 mm2; area of stand pipe = 50 mm2; head difference at
time t = 0 is 520 mm; head difference at time t = 3 min is 320 mm. Compute (a) hydraulic
conductivity in cm/s; (b) seepage velocity if the porosity of soil is 0.28; (c) head difference
at time t = 110 sec.

Given: 𝐿 = 250 𝑚𝑚; 𝐴 = 1100 𝑚𝑚2 ; 𝑎 = 50 𝑚𝑚2 ; ℎ1 = 520 𝑚𝑚; ℎ2 = 320 𝑚𝑚; 𝑡 = 3 𝑚𝑖𝑛

Req’d.: (a) hydraulic conductivity; (b) seepage velocity; (c) head difference

Solution:

(a) Hydraulic conductivity, k:

𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2

50(250) 520
𝑘= ln
1100(3 𝑥 60) 320

𝑘 = 0.03065075 𝑚𝑚/𝑠

𝒌 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟔𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

(b) Seepage velocity, vs, if 𝑛 = 0.28:

Solve for discharge velocity, v:

∆ℎ
𝑣 = 𝑘𝑖 = 𝑘
𝐿
520 − 320
𝑣 = 3.065 𝑥10−3 ( )
250
 𝑣 = 2.45𝑥 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠

Solve for seepage velocity, vs:

𝑣
𝑣𝑠 =
𝑛

2.45 𝑥 10−3
𝑣𝑠 =
0.28

𝒗𝒔 = 𝟖. 𝟕𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

(c) Head difference at time t = 110 sec.:

𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2

𝑚𝑚 50(250) 520
𝑘 = 0.03065075 = ln
𝑠 1100(110) ℎ2

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟑𝟖𝟔. 𝟓𝟎 𝒎𝒎

Problem 08:

For the given soil profile, determine the equivalent coefficient of permeability in the x and
y directions.

1m Kx = 4 x 10-3 cm/s ky = 2 x 10-4 cm/s

2m Kx = 3 x 10-4 cm/s ky = 5 x 10-5 cm/s

Kx = 1 x 10-4 cm/s ky = 3 x 10-5 cm/s

3m

Solution:

For horizontal flow:

𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2 + 𝑘3 𝐻3
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻

4 𝑥 10−1 (1) + 3 𝑥 10−4 (2) + 4 𝑥 10−4 (3)

𝑘𝑥 =
1+2+3

𝒌𝒙 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
For vertical flow:

𝐻
𝑘𝑦 =
𝐻1 𝐻2 𝐻3
+ +
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3

1+2+3
𝑘𝑦 =
1 2 3
−4 + −5 +
2𝑥10 5𝑥10 3𝑥10−5

𝒌𝒚 = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟒 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

Problem 09:

A layered soil is shown with the corresponding values of k1, k2, and k3. Compute (a)
equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability; (b) equivalent vertical coefficient of
permeability; and (c) ratio of the equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability to the
equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability.

H1 = 3 m K1 = 2 x 10-4 cm/s

H2 = 4 m K2 = 3.2 x 10-2 cm/s

Kx = 4.1 x 10-4 cm/s

H3 = 5 m

Solution:

(a) Horizontal coefficient of permeability, kx:

𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2 + 𝑘3 𝐻3
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻

(2 𝑥 10−4 )(3) + (3.2 𝑥 10−2 )(4) + (4.1 𝑥 10−4 )(5)

𝑘𝑥 =
3+4+5

𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟗 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

(b) Vertical coefficient of permeability, ky:

𝐻
𝑘𝑦 =
𝐻1 𝐻2 𝐻3
+ +
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3
 3+4+5
𝑘𝑦 =
3 4 5
+ +
2 𝑥 10−4 3.2 𝑥 10−2 4.1 𝑥 10−4

𝒌𝒚 = 𝟒. 𝟑𝟗 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒄𝒎/𝒔

(c) Ratio of equivalent horizontal and vertical coefficients:

𝑘𝑥 0.01089
=
𝑘𝑦 4.39 𝑥 10−4

𝒌𝒙
= 𝟐𝟒. 𝟖𝟏
𝒌𝒚

Problem 10:

A confined aquifer underlies an unconfined aquifer as shown. Calculate (a) equivalent

horizontal coefficient of permeability; (b) hydraulic gradient; and (c) flow rate from one
stream to another per meter width.

35 m K1=35 m/day
55 m
42 m
35 m K2=20 m/day

2 km

Solution:

(a) Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability, kx:

𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻
35(35) + (20)(35)
𝑘𝑥 =
70

𝒌𝒙 = 𝟐𝟕. 𝟓 𝒎/𝒅𝒂𝒚

(b) Hydraulic gradient, i:

ℎ
𝑖=
𝐿
 55 − 42
𝑖=
2000

𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟓

(c) Flow rate, q:

𝑞 = 𝑘𝑖𝐴

55 + 42
𝑞 = 27.5 (0.0065) ( ) (1)
2

𝒒 = 𝟖. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝟑 /𝒅𝒂𝒚

Problem 11:

Compute the seepage flow under the foundation of the dam shown. Use 𝑘 = 0.002 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐

Solution:

From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 5; 𝑁𝑑 = 14; ℎ𝐿 = 20 𝑚

𝑁𝑓
Using 𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑

5
𝑞= (0.002)(20)
14

𝑞 = 0 .014 𝑚3 / sec 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟

Problem 12:

Calculate the seepage loss per meter length of the sheet pile shown.
Use 𝑘 = 6.5 𝑥 10−6 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐.

Solution:

From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 3; 𝑁𝑑 = 6; ℎ𝐿 = 4.3 𝑚

𝑁𝑓
𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑

3
𝑞= (6.5 𝑥 10−6 ) (4.3)
6

𝒒 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟕𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒎𝟑 / 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓

Problem 13:

The sheet pile is driven in a reclamation area and the area to one side is pumped down
as shown in the flow net. The permeability of sand is 0.001 m/sec. Below elevation level
20 m is an impermeable rock layer. Determine the flow per unit length.
Solution:

From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 3; 𝑁𝑑 = 6; ℎ𝐿 = 3 𝑚

𝑁𝑓
𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑

3
𝑞= (0.001 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 )(3)
6

𝒒 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝟑 / 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓