PERMEABILITY

AN ENGINEERING PROPERTIES
In saturated soil (2-phase) system, usually
water exits in the pores.
These pores are interconnected network of
irregular tubes.
When water in these tube is subjected to a
potential difference, water flows from zones
of high potential to low potential zones.
 The surfaces of the solid phase offer
resistance to the flow of water.
If voids are narrower, the more resistance
posed by the solids, like in fine grained soil.
If voids are larger, the less resistance posed by
solids, like coarsed grained soil.
The ease with which water can flow
through soils is the permeability of the
soil.
 Permeability : decreases

Gravels > sands > silts > clays

Definition of permeability:
The property of a soil by virtue of which
water can flow through it is called
permeability of soil.
 The ease with which water can flow through
soil it has the unit of velocity:
The greater ease the greater velocity

i.e. Unit of permeability is similar of velocity

mm/sec, cm/sec, m/sec

Symbol to represent permeability is K .

 It is necessary for engineer to know principal
of fluid flow through soil to solving problems.

determination of rate of leakage through an

earth dam, canals and water retaining
structures.
determination of pore water pressure
determination of seepage pressure
design of filters etc.
 According to fundamental of hydraulics of
flowing water may assume either of two
characteristics state of motion.
Laminar flow: In laminar flow each particle
travels along a definite path which never
crosses the path of other particles;
Turbulent flow: in turbulent flow the paths are
irregular and twisting, crossing and re-crossing
at random.
 In laminar flow, the resistance of flow mainly
due to viscosity of water and not much
depends on Boundary conditions. While in
turbulent flow, boundary condition have
major influence rather than viscosity of water.
As the pores of soils are very small so the flow
through it considered as Laminar. But particles
grater than coarse sand, the flow may be
turbulent due to more diameter of pores.
 The lower critical velocity Vc is governed by a
dimensionless number, known as Reynolds
number:
R= V . D . w / . g =2000
R= Reynolds number,
V = Velocity of flow
D = Diameter of pipe/ pore,
w = Unit weight of water
= Viscosity of water,
g = Acceleration due to gravity.
 DARCYS LAW
H. Darcy of France performed a classical
experiment in 1856, using a set up similar to
that show in fig. in order to study the
properties of the flow of water through a sand
filter bed.
 By measuring the value of the rate of flow or
discharge q for various values of the length of
the sample, L and pressure of water at top
and bottom the sample , h1 and h2, Darcy
found that q was proportional to (h1-h2)/L or
hydraulic gradient, i :
q = k[(h1-h2)/L] * A = K.i.A

It is known as Darcys law and only valid for

laminar flow.
 q = k[(h1-h2)/L] * A = K. i. A
Where,
q = the rate of flow or discharge
k =a constant, now known as Darcys
coefficient of permeability, having dimension
of velocity, it is the velocity of flow under a
unit hydraulic gradient.
A = the area of cross-section of the sand bed
normal to the general direction of flow.
i = (h1-h2)/L, the hydraulic Gradient.
 Darcys coefficient of permeability provides a
quantitative means of comparison for
estimating the facility with which water flows
through different soils.
Gravels 10-2 m/sec
Sand(coarse) 10-2 10-3 m/sec
Sand(medium) 10-3 10-4 m/sec
Sand(fine) 10-4 10-5 m/sec
Silt 6X10-7 m/sec
Clay 1.5 X 10-11 m/sec
SUPERFICIAL VELOCITY AND SEEPAGE VELOCITY

Darcys law represents

q/A= ki =V
Since A is the total area of cross section of the
soil, same as the open area of tube above the
soil, V is the average velocity of down ward
movement of a drop of water. This velocity is
numerically equal to ki ; therefore k can be
interpreted as the Approach velocity or
Superficial velocity for a unit Hydraulic
gradient.
 But actual flow take place only through the
spaces of voids. So it is called as true velocity
or seepage velociy of percolating water
through the voids only.

q/Av = Vs
Av=area of c/s of voids
 By the principal of continuity, (Relation
between seepage velocity and superficial
velocity)
q =A.V =Av. Vs
Av=area of c/s of voids
Vs = V.A/Av = V.AL/Av.L =V.V/Vv =V/
Vs = V/
Vs = k.i / = (k/).i = kp . i
Where kp , the constant of
proportionality, is called Coefficient of
Percolation and given by (k/).
 DETERMINATION OF COEFFICEINT OF
PERMEABILITY:
The coefficient of permeability of a soil can be
determined using the following methods.
Laboratory methods
Constant-head permeability test.
Variable-head permeability test(Falling-head
permeability test)
 Supply

CONSTANT HEAD
PERMEABILITY Soil sample h

TEST Length L

Graduated jar

Constant head permeability test

 The principle in this set up is that the hydraulic
head causing flow is maintained constant; the
quantity of water flowing through a soil
specimen of known cross-sectional area and
length in a given time is measured.
In highly impervious soils the quantity of
water that can be collected will be small and
accurate measurements are difficult to make.
Therefore, the constant head permeameter is
mainly applicable to relatively pervious soils.
 If Q is the total quantity of water collected in
the measuring jar after flowing through the
soil in an elapsed time t, from Darcys law,
q =Q/t =k.i.A
K = (Q/t).(L/Ah) = Q L/ t h A
K = Q L/ t h A
Where,
K= Darcys coefficient of permeability
L and A = length and Area of cross section of
soil specimen
h= hydraulic head causing flow.
 The water should be collected only after a
steady state of flow has been established.
This test is widely used owing to its simplicity
in principle.
This test is suitable for clean sand and gravel
with k > 10-2 mm/sec.
FALLING HEAD Standpipe
c/s a

PERMEABILITY
TEST
h0
h1

Soil sample
Length L

Falling head permeability test

 For fine grained soil it requires large time
duration to collect a measurable quantity
of water that is collected from sample.
Hence for such soil Falling Head
Permeability test is used.
The coefficient permeability is used for
seepage and stability analysis of earthen
dams, retaining walls and for collection
of yield from wells.
 After a saturation is complete, the
standpipe is filled with water up to a
height of ho and a stop watch is started. Let
the initial time be to. The time t1 when the
water level drops from h0 to h1 is noted.
The hydraulic conductivity k can be
determined on the basis of the drop in
head (h0 h1) and the elapsed time (t1-t0)
required for the drop as explained below:
 t0
Falling head permeability test
t1

Standpipe
c/s a

h0 h1

Soil sample
Length L
 Let h be the head of water at any time t.
Let in time dt the head drop by an
amount dh. The quantity of water
flowing through the sample in time dt
from Darcys law is
dQ =k i A dt = k (h/L) A dt .(1)
dQ = - a dh .(2)
Since the head decreases as the time
increases dh is negative quantity.
Equate equation (1) and (2)
-a dh = k (h/L) A dt (3)
 The discharge Q in time (t1- t0) can be
obtained by integrating equation (1) or (2)
Therefore equation (3) can be rearranged and
integrated as follows:

h1 t1
-a dh/h = k A/L dt
h0 t0

a loge h0/h1 =kA(t1- t0) /L

The general expression for k is
K = 2.303 a L log10(h0/h1) / (A.t)
Example:1
A sand sample of 35 cm2 cross section area
and 20 cm long was tested in a constant head
permeameter. Under a head of 60 cm, the
discharge was 120 ml in 6 minutes. The dry
weight of sand used for the test was 1120
gram and specific gravity G is 2.68. Determine
(a) the coefficient of permeability in cm/sec,
(b) the discharge velocity
(c) the seepage velocity.
Ans: K = 3.174 * 10-3 cm/sec,
Discharge velocity: 9.52 *10 -3 cm/sec
Seepage velocity: 2.36 *10-2 cm/sec.
Example:2
A falling head permeameter contains a
soil sample 8 cm high and 60 cm3 in cross
sectional area. The permeability of the
sample is expected to be 1 * 10-4 cm/s. If
it is desired that the head in the
standpipe should fall from 30 to 10 cm in
40 minutes, determine the size of the
stand pipe which should be used.
Ans: c/s section of stand pipe a =1.64 cm2
Example:3
A permeameter of 80 mm diameter with a sample
length of 300 mm has been used for constant
head and falling head tests. While, conducting a
constant head test, the loss of head was 1150mm
for a length of 250 mm and the rate of flow was
2700 mm3/sec. Find the coefficient of
permeability in mm/sec.
If a falling head test were then performed on the
same sample at the same void ratio, find the time
taken for the head to fall from 900 to 450 mm.
The diameter of the standpipe in the falling head
test was 25mm.
PERMEABILTITY
(Lecture -2)
 Factors affecting the permeability
The coefficient of permeability (K) is also
known as hydraulic conductivity.
Which is depends on several factors.
Which is determined by lab using two
methods
(a) Constant head permeability test
(b) Falling head permeability test.
 Factors affecting the permeability
1) shape and size of particles
2) Properties of pore fluid
3) Void ratio of soil
4) Arrangement of soil particles
5) Entrapped air and foreign matter
6) Adsorbed water in clayey soils
7) Degree of saturation
 (1) shape and size of particles
In (1948) equation given by tailor based
on poiseuilles law for laminar flow,
through a circular capillary tube.
K = Ds2 (/) (e3/1+e) C
Where, Ds = effective size of particles
i.e smaller grain size the smaller voids
and thus lower the permeability.
 (2) Properties of pore fluid
K = Ds2 (/) (e3/1+e) C
From the equation, K is directly
proportional to unit weight of fluid and
inversely proportional to viscosity of the
permeant fluid.
Viscosity much variable with temperature,
Always compare result of permeability at
standard tem. 27C.
K27 = kT (T/27)
 (3) Void ratio of soil

All lines indicates

e3/(1+e) higher void ratio,
e2/(1+e)
higher value of
e2e permeability for
e
e2 coarse and fine
grained soil

K
 (4) Arrangement of soil particles
Structure arrangement of soil particles
depends on deposition of soil mass.
Flocculated structures:
All voids are interconnected and large.
So, permeability is more.(Random
arrangement of particles.
 Dispersed structures:
All particles are more oriented than
flocculated structures, more parallel
orientation.

As compare to flocculated structure

permeability in dispersed structures is less
but in horizontal direction it is more.
 (5) Entrapped air and foreign matter
The permeability is greatly reduced if the
air is entrapped in the voids.
Organic foreign matter also has tendency
to move towards flow channels and choke
them, thus permeability decreasing.
The dissolved air in the pore fluid may get
librated thus changing the permeability.
 (6) Adsorbed water in clayey soils
Water flows through soil voids

Adsorbed water

Due to adsorbed water can not move

freely within pores, it reduces the pore
size or passage of free water and hence
permeability decreases.
 (7) Degree of saturation

The higher the degree of saturation, the

higher the permeability, in some cases
like sands, the permeability may increase
3 to 4 times when degree of saturation
increases from 80% to 100%. For partially
saturated soil K is less.
 PERMEABILITY OF LAYERED (Stratified) SOILS

The stratified soils consists of nos. of layers

of different soil, that layers may be
Horizontal, vertical or inclined in depositions.
Each layer assumed to be homogeneous and
isotropic and has its own value of
permeability.
And average value of permeability of whole
bedding plane will depend on direction of
flow and direction of bedding plane.
1) Flow parallel to planes of stratification
qn Hn

h
1

q1
H1 i1 KH1
q2 i2 KH2
H H2 q
q
q3
H3 i3 K
H3

H4 q4
i4 KH4
L
 Calculation of KH(avg)
KH(avg) = Avg. value of permeability of stratifies
soil
H = total thickness of stratified soil
h1, h2, h3 hn = Thickness of each layer
kH1, kH2, kH3 kHn = Permeability of each
individual layers
h =head loss of length L of soil
i = i1 =i2=i3.=in = hydraulic gradient of each
layer
 Flow parallel to planes of stratification
Conditions:
(1) Hydraulic gradient i will be same for
each layer
i = i1 =i2=i3.=in

(2) Total discharge through stratified soil

is summation of discharges of individual
layers.
q = q1 + q2+ q3+ q4.+ qn
 Flow parallel to planes of stratification
q = q1 + q2+ q3+ q4.+ qn
KH(avg) i A = kH1 i A1 + kH2 i A2 + kH3 i A3 . .+kHn i An

An = Hn 1 qn Hn
1
KH(avg) i H = kH1 i H1 + kH2 i H2 + kH3 i H3 ..... +kHn i Hn

KH(avg) = (kH1 H1 + kH2 H2 + kH3 H3 .. +kHn Hn )/ H

2) Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification
qn

1
1 q i1 = h1/H1

q1 i2 = h2/H2
H1 KV1
q2 KV2 i3 = h3/H3
H H2
q3 i4 = h4/H4
H3 KV3
H4 q4
KV4
q
L
 Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification
Conditions:
(1) Discharge q will be same for each
layer
q = q1 = q2 =q3 = q4.= qn

(2) Total head loss through stratified soil

is summation of head loss of individual
layers.
i H = i1 H1 + i2 H2 +i3 H3 .+in Hn
 Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification
According to Darcys law: qn
q = Kv(avg) it A 1
1
A =1*1
i. e, it = q / Kv(avg.) (1)
q1 = KV1 i1 A1
i1= q/KV1 ( ...q =q1) (2)
i2= q/KV2 ( ...q =q2) (3)
i3= q/KV3 ( ...q =q3) (4)
 Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification
Conditions:
(1) Total head loss through stratified soil is
summation of head loss of individual
layers.
it H = i1 H1 + i2 H2 +i3 H3 .+in Hn
Put values of hydrulic gradientS in above
eqs.,
(q / Kv(avg.)) H = (q/KV1) H1 + (q/KV2)H2 + (q/KV3)H3
.+ (q/KVn) Hn
 Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification

H/Kv(avg.) = (H1/KV1 +H2/KV2 +H3/KV3 .+ Hn/KVn)

Kv(avg.) = H/(H1/KV1 +H2/KV2 +H3/KV3 +Hn/KVn)

 1) Flow parallel to planes of stratification

KH(avg) = (kH1 H1 + kH2 H2 + kH3 H3 .. +kHn Hn )/ H

2) Flow perpendicular to planes of stratification

Kv(avg.) = H/(H1/KV1 +H2/KV2 +H3/KV3 +Hn/KVn)

 Example:1
Determine the average co-efficient of
permeability in horizontal and vertical
direction for a deposit consisting of three
layers of thick 5m , 1m and 2.5 m and having
the co-efficient of permeability of 3 * 10-2, 3 *
10-5, and 4 * 10-2 mm/sec respectively.

Ans: KH(avg) = 0.0294 mm/sec

Kv(avg.) = 2.5 * 10-4 mm/sec.
 Example:2
A falling head permeability test is to be
performed on a stratified soil made of three
layers of 5m thick having the co-efficient of
permeability of 3 * 10-4, 3 * 10-3, and 3 * 10-5
cm/sec respectively. Find the diameter of the
stand pipe to be used for a head drop from 30 cm
to 10 cm in 24 minutes in a cross of soil sample
20 cm2. Take flow of water perpendicular to the
stratification.
Ans: Kv(avg.) = 0.81 * 10-4 mm/sec.
diameter of stand pile = 4.2mm
 Example:3
A stratified deposit of soil consists of 3 layers.
The upper and lower layers are equal in
thickness. The middle layer is twice as thick as
the upper layer. The co-efficient of
permeability for upper layer, middle layer and
lower layer are 4 * 10-4, 2 * 10-3, and 1 * 10-2
cm/sec respectively. Determine permeability
ratio.
Ans: KH(avg) = 3.6 *10-3 mm/sec
Kv(avg.) = 1.11 * 10-3 mm/sec
KH(avg)/ Kv(avg.) = 3.24
 Flow conditions
If there is no flow taking place through the soil,
the condition is known a Hydro static
condition.
But when water flows through the soil Hydro
dynamic conditions, it exerts drag forces called
seepage forces on the individual grains of the
soil.
The presence of the seepage forces, which act in
the direction of flow, will cause changes in pore
water pressures and effective stresses in soil.
 Total Neutral Effective
= +
stress stress U stress
Water

H1

H1 w H1 w

Soil sample
H = +

H1 w + H sat (H1 + H )w H sub

Valve

Hydro static case = U +

 Hydro static case
Effective pressure is independent of the
depth of water H1 above the submerged
soil surface.
 In flow Total Neutral Effective
= +
stress stress U stress
Water

H1
h
H1 w H1 w

Soil sample
H = +

H1w + Hsat (H1 + H - h)w Hsub+ hw

Valve

Out flow
Downward flow = U +
 DOWNWARD DIRECTION FLOW
Effective stress is increased by hw or i H w
which is referred as seepage pressure.
Downward seepage means Increased
effective stress.
This seepage pressure is acting in
direction of flow.
 Out flow Total Neutral Effective
h = +
stress stress U stress
Water

H1

H1 w H1 w

Soil sample
H = +

H1w + Hsat (H1 + H+ h)w Hsub- hw

Valve

In flow
Upward flow = U +
 UPWARD FLOW CONDITION
Seepage force is acting in the direction of
flow, means in upward direction so that
net effective stress decreases.
 Quick sand condition
From upward flow
' = H( sat w) hw (1)

= Hsub hw
By increasing the total head difference h, it is
possible to reach a condition when the
effective stress in the soil become equal to
zero.
This condition occurs when
Hsub hw = 0
Hsub i H w = 0
 Hsub i H w = 0
This condition occurs when the hydraulic
gradient
i = icr = sub/w
Where, icr = Critical Hydraulic gradient
When upward flow takes place at the critical
hydraulic gradient , a soil such as sand losses all
its shear strength and it cannot support any
load. The soil is said to have become quick or
Alive or Boiling will occurs.
Popular name of this phenomenon is
Quick sand condition
 Here Quick sand is not a type of sand but it is
a hydraulic condition.
Here, seepage pressure (iHw) becomes equal
to effective pressure Hsub, so that effective
stress through out soil is reduced to zero.
When i < icr No quick sand condition will
occur.
sub (G-1)
icr = =
w (1+e)

Vlc:1,2,3
To check against possibility of piping and
determination of exit gradients.

Exit gradient( ie )= h /L

Last equipotential line

L

Exit gradient ie < icr

Vlc:4
 Example 1:
What is critical gradient of a sand deposit?
Take specific gravity G =2.65 and void ratio
0.5.

Ans: icr = 1.1

 Example:2
For a sub soil conditions shown in fig: Draw
total stress, Neutral stress and Effective stress.

0m

Sand, sat = 20 kN/m3

3m

5m

8m clay, sat = 18 kN/m3

 Total Neutral Effective
stress stress U stress
0m

3m W.T 54 54

5m 95 75
20

8m 98kN/m2 50kN/m2
148 kN/m2
 The end