Geotechnical

Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 PA105D
Tel: (978) 9342621 Fax: (978) 9343052
email: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.330 SOIL MECHANICS

Assignment #4: Soil Permeability.

PROBLEM #1:
GIVEN:
Grain size distributions from seven (7) suppliers shown in Figure A and given in
.CSV file on website.
D4318 Testing Results: ML or MH silts.

Figure A. Grain Size Distributions for Problem #1.

REQUIRED:
Determine the USCS classification and coefficient of permeability for each soil
sample.
Comment on any appreciable difference between these soils in terms of
coefficient of permeability.

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 1 of 11

 Comment on any appreciable difference between these soils based on the
USCS.

SOLUTION:
Soil Classification:

Table A. USCS Classification Summary (using data from Figure A and ASTM D2487).

% % D10 D30 D60 USCS

Pit Cc Cu USCS Name
Fines Gravel (mm) (mm) (mm) Symbol

#1 2 0 0.155 0.295 0.48 1.17 3.10 SP Poorly Graded Sand

Poorly Graded Sand

#2 6 3 0.110 0.235 0.46 1.09 4.18 SP-SM
with Silt

Poorly Graded Sand

#3 6 13 0.108 0.268 0.57 1.17 5.28 SP-SM
with Silt

Poorly Graded Sand

#4 5 7 0.140 0.410 0.81 1.48 5.79 SP-SM
with Silt

Poorly Graded Sand

#5 5 16 0.130 0.280 0.66 0.91 5.08 SP-SM
with Silt and Gravel

Poorly Graded Sand

#6 6 2 0.108 0.240 0.46 1.16 4.26 SP-SM
with Silt

#7 0 3 0.285 0.440 0.55 1.24 1.93 SP Poorly Graded Sand

Since Cu is less than 6 for all the soils, the soils are poorly graded (see Figure 3 from
ASTM D2487, provided in Figure B). Soils with 5% or greater fines are SP-SM (Poorly
Graded Sand with Silt) with the noted exception of Pit #5, which is a SP-SM (Poorly
Graded Sand with Silt and Gravel) due to having 16% gravel (i.e. % retained by #4
sieve).

Coefficient of Permeability (k):

Use Hazen (1930) empirical formula relating effective grain size (D10) to coefficient of
permeability:
k (cm / sec) cD10
2

Where c = 1 to 1.5.

Table B presents a summary of calculated k values using the effective diameter (D10)
from the grain size analysis and Hazens formula.

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 2 of 11

 Figure B. USCS Soil Classification Figure 3 of ASTM D2487.

Table B. Summary of calculated k values using D10.

k (cm/sec) k (cm/sec)
Pit No. D10 (mm)
c=1 c=1.5
1 0.155 0.024 0.036
2 0.110 0.012 0.018
3 0.108 0.012 0.017
4 0.140 0.020 0.029
5 0.130 0.017 0.025
6 0.108 0.012 0.017
7 0.285 0.081 0.122

Look at the calculated coefficients of permeability graphically with typical range of k

values for various soils from Lecture Notes in Figure C.

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 3 of 11

Figure C. Ranges of calculated k values with respect to general ranges of k for
different soils.

From examination of Figure A, the soil samples are all primarily medium to fine sands.
As shown above, these sands fit mainly towards the low end of the range for coarse
sands. This makes sense, since medium sands are between coarse and fine in grain
size. Notice the soil sample from Pit #7. It has less fines and a significantly greater
effective size (D10) than the other pit samples, which correlates to a greater k value by
almost 1 order of magnitude.

NOTE: These sands are all from the same geologic deposits in Carver, MA. All have
similar grain size distributions, soil classifications, and calculated k values (with the
noted exception of Pit #7).

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 4 of 11

PROBLEM #2:
GIVEN:
Constant head permeability test results:

Length of Sample (L) = 12 inches

Sample Diameter (cylindrical sample) = 2.0 inches
Constant Head Difference = 2.5 feet
Volume of Water Collected in 5 minutes: 20 cubic inches
Soil USCS Classification: GC

REQUIRED:
Determine the coefficient of permeability for the tested soil.
Does the calculated coefficient of permeability match the expected results from
the soil classification?

SOLUTION:
For constant head permeability test:
QL
k
Aht
Where:
Q = Quantity of water collected over time t = 20 in3 = 0.0116 ft3
L = Length of sample = 12 inches = 1 ft
A = Area of Sample = (radius)2 = (1 inches)2 = 3.14159 in2 = 0.0218 ft2
h = Constant head difference = 2.5 ft
t = Time of test = 5 minutes

QL (0.0116 ft 3 )(1 ft )
k 2
0.0426 ft /min
Aht (0.0218 ft )(2.5 ft )(5 min)
k = 0.0426 ft/min = 0.0216 cm/sec = 0.00852 in/sec.

The results of the constant head test are compared to typical ranges of k for soils as
shown in Figure D. As shown in Figure D, the range of k calculated from the constant
head test falls within the clean sands, clean sand and gravel mixtures range. Therefore,
this IS reasonable for a GC soil.

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 5 of 11

 Figure D. Constant Head k Test Results compared to typical Soil k Values (after
Casagrande and Fadum (1940) and Terzagi et al. (1996).

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 6 of 11

PROBLEM #3:
GIVEN:
Figure 2. The coarse grain soil layer is from Pit #7 in Problem #1.

Well 1
Well 2

13.5 ft

10

25 ft
CH (Impervious Layer)

9 ft

Pit #4 Soil (from

Problem #1)

CL (Impervious Layer)

475 ft

Figure 2. Information for Problem #3 (NTS).

REQUIRED:
Determine the hydraulic gradient and rate of flow per time through the coarse
grain soil layer.

SOLUTION:

h 13.5 ft
i 0.028
L 475 ft

cos10
i = 0.028

Remember: L = Length of Water Flow, not horizontal distance!

For low end of calculated k for Pit #4 (0.020 cm/sec = 0.0394 ft/min):

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 7 of 11

 ft
q kiA (0.0394 )(0.028)(9 ft )(cos10)(1 ft )
min
q 0.0098 ft 3 /min/ ft
q 0.587 ft 3 / hr / ft
q 14.1 ft 3 / day / ft
For high end of calculated k for Pit #7 (0.029 cm/sec = 0.0571 ft/min):
ft
q kiA (0.0571 )(0.028)(9 ft )(cos10)(1 ft )
min
q 0.0142 ft 3 /min/ ft
q 0.850 ft 3 / hr / ft
q 20.4 ft 3 / day / ft
ANSWER SUMMARY:
i = 0.028
qlow = 14.1 ft3/day/ft
qhigh = 20.4 ft3/day/ft

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 8 of 11

PROBLEM #4:
GIVEN:
Flow net provided in Figure 3.
Soil is homogeneous, isotropic sand (i.e. kx = kz) with a coefficient of permeability
of 1.0 x 10-1 cm/sec. The sand overlies a relatively impervious layer (i.e. solid
bedrock).

Elevation (ft)
100.0

7 ft

Water Table @ Ground Surface

7 ft

6 ft
D
A B

Figure 3. Cross-section for Problem #4.

REQUIRED:
Determine the total rate of seepage per unit length of the sheet pile wall
(ft3/day/ft). Briefly explain why you might need to calculate this value.
Calculate the water pressure at points 1 through 12 (see Figure 3). Plot the
water pressure distribution on both sides of the sheet pile wall.
Determine the pore pressure (u) at points A, B, C, and D. Scale the drawing
within the soil mass to determine the elevations of Point C and D.

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 9 of 11

SOLUTION:
HNf
q = seepage loss = k
Nd
Where:

K = Coefficient of permeability = 0.25 cm/sec = 709 ft/day

H = Head Difference = 7 ft
Nf = Number of Flow Channels = 4
Nd = Number of Drops = 10

HN f 4
qk (709 ft / day )(7 ft ) (1 ft ) 1985 ft 3 / day / ft
Nd 10

q = 1985 ft3/day/ft. You would need this value in order to properly size dewatering
equipment for the right side.

Potential Drop per Equipotential Line = H/Nd = 7ft/10 drops = 0.7ft/drop

Table C presents a summary of the total head elevations of each point based on known
elevations and potential drop per equipotential line. Height of water (hw) is (total head
elevation point elevation). Pore pressure (u) is hww. See Figure E for Pore Pressure
(u) with respect to Elevation for Points 1-12.

Table C. Summary of Total Head and Pore Pressure calculations along Sheet Pile.

Point Total Head

Height of urounded
Point Elevation Elevation u (psf)
Water (ft) (psf)
(ft) (ft)
1 100 100 0 0 0
2 93 100 7 437 435
3 91.4 99.3 7.9 493 495
4 89.4 98.6 9.2 574 575
5 87.4 97.9 10.5 655 655
6 86.3 97.2 10.9 680 680
7 86 96.5 10.5 655 655
8 86.3 95.8 9.5 593 595
9 87.4 95.1 7.7 480 480
10 89.4 94.4 5.0 312 310
11 91.4 93.7 2.3 144 145
12 93 93.0 0.0 0 0

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 10 of 11

 Figure E. Pore Pressure (u) vs. Elevation at Point 1-12.

Use same methodology to determine pore pressure at Points A, B, C, and D.

Determine elevations of Points C and D by scaling drawing. A summary is presented in
Table D.

Table D. Summary of Total Head and Pore Pressure calculations at Points A D.

Point Total Head

Height of urounded
Point Elevation Elevation u (psf)
Water (ft) (psf)
(ft) (ft)
A 80 98.6 18.6 1161 1160
B 80 95.1 15.1 942 940
C 86.5 95.1 8.6 537 535
D 83 96.5 13.5 842 840

14.330 2013 Assignment 4 Solution Page 11 of 11