Contents Page

1. Introduction
2. Research Methodology
2.1 Apparatus
2.2 Procedure
3. Data
4. Analysis of data
4.1 Calculations
4.2 Other Calculations
4.3 Results
4.3.1 Calculation for Trial 1
4.3.2 Calculation for Trial 2
4.3.3 Calculation for Trial 3

4
4
5
6
7
8
9
9
10

5. Discussion
5.1 Result and comment
6. Conclusion
7. References
8. Bibliography

11
12
13
13

1. INTRODUCTION
A measure of the capacity of soil to allow the flow of water through a soil volume
is known as permeability. Application of a hydraulic pressure gradient in a sample
of saturated fine grained soil and the consequent rate of water flow is measured
1

to identify the degree of permeability. Permeability can be used to estimate

ground water flow and calculate seepage through dams.
Standard permeability for various types of soils is listed in Table 1 below.
Types of soil
Fine gravel
Coarse sand + intermediate

Value of k (mm/s)
100 1
1
1 10

Fine sand

101 102

Silty sand

102 103

Silt and clayey sand

103

Clayey sand, clayey silt

10

10

Clay

107

9
10

5
10
7

Table 1: Value of average soil permeability coefficient

The objective of this test is to determine the coefficients of permeability of soils in
the range

10

to 10

m/s using falling head permeameter.

Lecturer in charge, Miss Ikmalzatul, has instructed us to set up the apparatus

and guided us throughout the experiment. Observations and data were recorded
accordingly. The lecturer has also prepared a set data sample for us to record
and calculate as to compare to our own data and as an example for the
calculations for a correct answer.

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 Apparatus
Sample of cohesive soil
A permeameter apparatus
2

 A stop-clock
A steel rule
2.2 Procedure
1. The permeameter mould is weighed with the base plate and gasket
attached.
2. The internal diameter of the permeameter mould is measured at several
sections and the average diameter is recorded to the nearest 1mm (D).
3. A small portion of the soil sample is taken to determine the water content.
4. The permeameter mould is placed in a sink filled with water and with the
outlet tube opened. Water in the inlet tube at the top of the mould has
reached an equilibrium state with the water in the sink, the specimen is
assumed to be in a saturated condition.
5. The outlet tube is clamped and the permeameter is removed from the sink
and attached it to the burette provided.
6. The burette is filled with water to a convenient height, and this height is
recorded to obtain the initial hydraulic head, h1.
7. The outlet tube is opened simultaneously and the stop-clock is started.
Water is allowed to flow through the sample until the burette is almost
empty. The stop-clock is stopped and the outlet tube is clamped
simultaneously. The elapsed time and height of water level is recorded to
obtain the final hydraulic head, h2.
8. The burette is refilled and step 7 is repeated to obtain 4 sets of
experimental data.

aL
h1
9. The equation k = 2.3026 At log10 h2

the average value of

permeability of the specimen is found.

Figure 1: The figure above shows the apparatus used in the laboratory experiment.

3. DATA
Diameter of sample = 6.3cm
Length of sample = 16.0cm
Standpipe diameter = 0.66cm
Trial number
h1
1
98cm
2
50cm
3
80cm
Table 2: Data recorded for falling head test

h2
60cm
34cm
42cm

Time (t2-t1)
10 seconds
12 seconds
14 seconds

4. ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Calculations
In this solution, it is required to calculate the coefficient of permeability, k.
It is given that flow of a period of time, t = -ah and given by the symbol Q.
Therefore,
Q = -ah ----------
Based on Darcys Law that is used to derive the groundwater equation,
q = Aki

Q = Akit
Aki t
L

Q =

but i =

h
L

----------

Equation = Equation
Aki t
= -ah
L
aL
h
Akh

t =
t

h2

t
0

aL 1

Ak h1 h h

t=

aL
h1
log e
Ak
h2

t=

aL
h1
log e
Ak
h2

k=

aL
h1
log e
At
h2

k = 2.3026

aL
h1
log 10
At
h2

Where,
k = coefficient of permeability
a = area of standpipe, m2
L = length of sample, m
A = area of the sample, m2
h1 = initial height of water, m
h2 = final height of water, m

t2 t1 = time taken to get head

drop, s

4.2 Other calculations

The area of the standpipe was not given, so the area of the standpipe has to be
calculated manually according to measurements on the standpipe from the data
given. It is given that:
Area = r2
The diameter of the standpipe is used to calculate the area of the standpipe.
The area of the sample was not given as well and was needed to get the area of
sample from the data given. It is given that:
Area = r2
Therefore, diameter of sample is used to calculate the area of the sample.

4.3 Results
The data recorded cannot be used directly as the amount needed to convert
from cm to m.
Diameter of sample, D

6.3
100

= 0.063m

Length of sample, L

16
100

= 0.16m

Standpipe diameter, d

0.66
100

= 0.0066m = 0.66 x

102

m
Table 3: Results that have been converted to metres(m).

Trial number
1
2

h1
98
100
50
100

= 0.98m

h2
60
100

= 0.60m

= 0.50m

34
100

= 0.34m

Time (t2-t1)
10 seconds
12 seconds

80
100

42
100

= 0.80m

= 0.42m

14 seconds

Table 4: Results that have been converted to m

By referring to subtopic 4.2, area of standpipe and area of sample are
calculated using the same equations.
Area = r2
d
= ( 2 )2
0.66 x 102
= (
)2
2
5
= 3.4 x 10 m2

Table 5: Answer of area of standpipe

Area = r2
d
= ( 2 )2

= (

0.063

3
= 3.12 x 10 m2

Table 6: Answer of area of sample

The data in table are used for calculate trial 1, trial 2 and trial 3.
Table 7: The table below shows the final results for the falling head test.
Trial
number

Height of water
Initial, h1
Final, h2

Time interval
(t2-t1)

Coefficient of
permeability, k (ms-1)

98
100

60
100

10 seconds

5
1
= 8.57 x 10 ms

0.98m
60
100 =

0.60m
34
100 =

12 seconds

5
1
= 8.25 x 10 ms

0.60m
80
100 =

0.34m
42
100 =

14 seconds

5
1
= 8.04 x 10 ms

0.80m

0.42m

4.3.1 Calculation for Trial 1

Data for Trial 1 is obtained from Table 3 to Table 6 and is used to calculate the
coefficient of permeability, k.
By using the equation stated in subtopic 4.1, substitute h1 = 0.98m, h2 =
0.60m, t = 10s, L = 0.16m, a = 3.4 x
k = 2.3026

aL
h1
log 10
At
h2

= 2.3026 x

3.4 x 105 m2 ( 0.16 m)

3.12 x 103 (10 s)

= 2.3026 x

5.44 x 106 m
log 10 1.63
0.0312 s

105 , A = 3.12 x

log 10

103

0.98
0.60

4
= 4.01 x 10 log 10 1.63
5
1
= 8.51 x 10 ms

4.3.2 Calculation for Trial 2

Data for trial 2 is obtained from Table 3 to Table 6, is used to calculate the
coefficient of permeability, k. With referrence to the equation stated in
subtopic 4.1, substitute h1 = 0.50m, h2 = 0.34m, t = 12s, L = 0.16m, a = 3.4
x

105 , A = 3.12 x 103

k = 2.3026

aL
h1
log 10
At
h2

= 2.3026 x
= 2.3026 x

3.4 x 105 m2 ( 0.16 m)

3.12 x 103( 12 s)

log 10

0.50
0.34

5.44 x 106 m
log 10 1.47
0.03744 s

4
= 3.35 x 10 log 10 1.47
5
1
= 5.59 x 10 ms

4.3.3 Calculation for Trial 3

Data record in Table 3 to Table 6 is used to calculate the coefficient of
permeability, k for trial 3. Based on the equation stated in subtopic 4.1,
substitute h1 = 0.80m, h2 = 0.42m, t = 14s, L = 0.16m, a = 3.4 x
3.12 x

103

k = 2.3026

aL
h1
log 10
At
h2

= 2.3026 x
= 2.3026 x

3.4 x 105 m2 ( 0.16 m)

3.12 x 103 (14 s)

5.44 x 106 m
log 10 1.90
0.04368 s

4
= 2.87 x 10 log 10 1.47
5
1
= 7.99 x 10 ms

log 10

0.80
0.42

105 , A =

5. DISCUSSION
5.1 Result and comment
The coefficient of permeability, k (m/s) used for this experiment is an average of
the three other coefficient of permeability in Table 7 and the average obtained is
8.29 x

105 ms1 . From Table 1, falling head permeameter experiments are

used for fine sands, silts and clays with the value of k between 10 -4 to 10-7 m/s.
The value of k for this experiment is of 10 -5. This has proved that the sample of
cohesive soil might be very fine sands, silts and silty sands.
Coefficient of permeability is expressed as velocity which is time taken for the
displacement made. As a result, the coefficient of permeability has been
influenced by the time taken. Back to equation , it has shown that k is affected
by the area of the sample and also the time taken. Then, with the constant area
of sample, time taken was the factor in influencing the k in this experiment. This
shows that lower time will result in greater k.
Time intervals are important in this experiment as the other influencing factor,
area of the sample was constant. Time must be taken correctly to achieve the
actual value of k. If the soil used is not 100% saturated soil, the air trapped inside
the soil volume may affect the test result.

6. CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, this experiment allows us to know that the permeability of the soil
volume to let the water flow through. In this experiment, falling head permeameter
has been used to determine the permeability of the soil sample. The average for the
k was 8.29 x

105 ms1 . It has proved that falling head permeameter was used to

determine the permeability of very fine sand, silts and clays with the value of k
between 10-4 to 10-7 ms-1. Thus, the type of soil sample was classified as very fine
sands, silt and clay.

7. REFERENCES
Chiasson, P . 2012, Interpretation of Falling-Head Tests in Presence of Random
Measurement

Error,

retrieved

on

18

November

2013,

from

www.hindawi.com/isrn/civil.engineering/2012/871467/ref/
8. BIBIOGRAPHY
Chiasson, P. (2012) Interpretation of Falling-Head Tests in Presence of Random
Measurement Error [Online] Available at
<www.hindawi.com/isrn/civil.engineering/2012/871467/ref/ >
[Assessed: 18 November 2013]
This is a research article for on Interpretation of Falling-Head Tests in Presence of
Random Measurement Error 2012. It shows the procedure of the experiment with full
explanations for the falling head method. This website was used as a reference for
finishing my report. Even though some of the information was not needed for my report,
as this is work of a higher level, but it was still be very useful and be even better if i
have the chance to conduct that experiment. It talks about the errors that occur during
the experiment and how it should be interpreted the correct way to have accurate
measurements.