FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY TRADITIONAL

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 6)

TITLE Constant Head Test

PREAMBLE 1.1 Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to
provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities
and inculcate creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where
problem, ways & means and answers are provided to the students. However,
it is still necessary especially to first- and second-year students. It is hoped
that the activity will slowly introduce and inculcate independent learning
amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended
laboratory activities.

In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the

coefficient of permeability of soils using constant head test.
1.2 Objectives
To determine the coefficient of permeability of coarse-grained soils.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
1. Conduct the constant head test to determine the coefficient of permeability of
soil sample.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

A material is said to be permeable if it contains continuous voids. Permeability is
a property of permeable material that permits flow of liquids through the voids.
The flows of liquid through soil either by laminar or turbulent depending on
permeability of soil and the head causing flow.

Darcy (1856) demonstrated experimentally that for laminar flow conditions in a

saturated soil, the rate of flow or discharge per unit time is proportional to the
hydraulic gradient.
©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22
 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

q = k.i.A

Where; q = discharge per unit time

k= Darcy’s coefficient of permeability
i = hydraulic gradient
A= total cross-sectional area of soil mass, perpendicular
to the direction of flow

The coefficient of permeability (or simply permeability) of soil can be determined

in laboratory using permeameter under constant head or variable head. Under
constant head if Q is total quantity of flow (cm 3) in time interval t (second)
through cross sectional area of specimen A (cm 2) and L (cm) is length of
specimen, H (cm) height of water in the tube, h (cm) is the head loss
measurement, thus the coefficient of permeability (k) is given by:

k = QL cm/sec
Aht

2 Problem Statement
Permeability is a measure of how easy water can flow through a soil volume and is
PROBLEM considered to be one of the most important geotechnical parameters. Having
STATEMEN knowledge on soil permeability will help engineers in their design selections. As a
T group, you are required to investigate the permeability coefficient of a given soil
sample. The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

WAYS & 3.1 Apparatus

MEANS
● Permeameter complete with accessories

● Triaxial cell or mould

● De-aired water

● Weighing balance

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
● Mixing pan

● Graduated measuring cylinder

● Meter scale/ Vernier calliper

● Stopwatch

● Beaker

3.2 Procedures
1. Clean the mould and apply grease on inside of the mould. Record its
weight.
2. Prepare sample:
a) Trim the sample to the size of mould from undisturbed lump of soil
collected from the site. Fit this sample into the mould. Apply wax around
periphery of the sample – mould to prevent leakage or;
b) Prepare statically compacted remoulded specimen of desired density and
water content or;
c) Prepare dynamically compacted remoulded specimen of desired density
and water content.
3. Trim off the excess soil. Place filter paper on top of soil specimen and fix
perforated base plate to it.
4. Turn the assembly upside down and remove compaction plate or end plug
and collar, as the case may be, place top perforated plate on the top of soil
specimen, insert sealing gasket and fix top cap properly.
5. Saturate the sample. Use vacuum desiccators facility if available.
6. Take out specimen (mould) when saturation is complete.
7. Place the mould in the bottom tank.
8. Fill the bottom tank with water up to its outlet.
9. Connect outlet tube of constant head tank to the inlet nozzle of the
permeameter. Remove all air bubbles from the system.
10. Adjust hydraulic head. Record the head.
11. Start the stop watch and at the same time put a beaker under the out let of
the bottom tank.
12. Run the test for some convenient time interval. Record the time.
13. Measure and record the quantity of water collected during that time.
14. Repeat the test two times more under the same head and for the same time
interval.

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

3.3 Data Acquisition

The coefficient of permeability of soils,

Data Sheet:

DETERMINATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF SOIL

(Constant Head Test)
SOIL SAMPLE DATA

Diameter of sample, D cm

Cross-sectional area of sample, A cm2

Length of sample, L1 cm

Length of sample, L2 cm

Length of sample, L3 cm

HEIGHT OF WATER IN TUBES AT STEADY STATE

Height of water in tube 1, H1 cm

Height of water in tube 2, H2 cm

Height of water in tube 2, H3 cm

Quantity of Time taken, Headloss, Headloss, Headloss, Coefficient of Permeability, k (cm/sec)

water, t h1 h2 h3
Q (cm3) (sec) (cm) (cm) (cm) k1 k2 k3 Average

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Overall average coefficient of permeability of soil sample, k cm/sec

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result
1. Attach the table of the result.
2. Show sample calculation in determining the coefficient of permeability using
constant head test.

Discussion
1. What is the importance of determining the coefficient of permeability of the soil?
2. Does the result lies within the expected range of common permeability coefficient, k
value for that particular type of soil used in the experiment?
3. What are the factors that influenced different value of permeability coefficient of
RESULTS soil?

Conclusion
1. What is the objective of this laboratory test? Have your group achieved the
objective of the laboratory test?
2. Briefly describe the possible errors that may have occurred.
3. How to prevent or minimise the error?

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of
the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

TITLE Falling Head Test

PREAMBLE 1.1 Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to
provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities
and inculcate creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where
problem, ways & means and answers are provided to the students.
However, it is still necessary especially to first- and second-year students. It
is hoped that the activity will slowly introduce and inculcate independent
learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task of
open-ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the

coefficient of permeability of soils using falling head test.
1.2 Objectives
To determine the coefficient of permeability of fine-grained soils.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
1. Conduct the falling head test to determine the coefficient of permeability of
soil sample.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format.
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
Permeability is defined as the capacity of a soil to allow water to pass through
and the coefficient of permeability is the flow velocity produced by a hydraulic
gradient of unity.

The falling head test is used to determine the coefficient of permeability of fine-
grained soils such as silts and clays. For these types of soils, the rate of water
flowing through them is too small to enable accurate measurements using
constant head permeameter. The determination of k using the falling head test
is govern by Darcy’s Law which states that the flow velocity of proportional to
the hydraulic gradient and derived as:

k = aL ln (h1/h2)
A (t2-t1)

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
Where;
a = cross-sectional area of the standpipe
A = cross-sectional area of the sample
L = the length of the sample
h1 = initial height of the standpipe
h2 = final height of the standpipe
t1 = initial time before the start of the test
t2 = final time at the end of the test

2 Problem Statement
Permeability is a measure of how easy water can flow through a soil volume and is
considered to be one of the most important geotechnical parameters. Having
PROBLEM knowledge on soil permeability will help engineers in their design selections. As a
STATEMENT group, you are required to investigate the permeability coefficient of a given soil
sample. The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

3.1 Apparatus

● Falling head permeameter

● Standpipes

● Triaxial cell or compaction mould

● Stopwatch

● Thermometer (if necessary)

● Bucket

● Sample extruder

WAYS &
3.2 Procedures
MEANS
1. Take a U100 sample or from a core-cutter tube and trim the sample to
assure that both surface is flat and smooth.
2. Place the soil sample fully into a triaxial cell on top of a porous stone and
again place a porous stone on top of the soil sample.
3. Place the whole set up in a bucket partially submerged in water. The
sample should be encased in the triaxial cell to make sure that no air
bubbles are entrapped in the soil sample.
4. Measure the length, L and the diameter, D of the sample. Record the
diameter, a of the standpipe used in the test.
5. Connect the standpipe to the sample. The connection of the standpipe to
the sample should be intact to make sure that the presence of air is
minimized.
6. Open the valve and fill the water into the standpipe to a marked initial
height of the standpipe. Record the initial reading for height, h1 and time,
t1 before the commencement of the test.
7. Close the valve and start the test by observing the flow of flow of water
©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22
 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
and time of the reduction. Once the flow of water reaches the final height
mark, stop the time and record the final reading for height, h2 and time, t2
simultaneously.
8. Record the temperature at the time of the test and obtain the
temperatureure correction from Table 1 for k T and k20. Compute the
average of k by repeating the above procedure. The correction for the
effect of temperature is given by:

kt = κt k20

where;
kt = value of k corresponding to a temperature of t
k20 = value of k corresponding to a temperature of 20 0C
κt = temperature correction coefficient

Table 1 : Values of Temperature Correction Coefficient, кt

0
C кt
0 1.779
4 1.555
10 1.299
15 1.133
20 1.000
25 0.906
30 0.808
40 0.670
50 0.550
60 0.468
70 0.410

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

3.3 Data Acquisition

The coefficient of permeability of soils,

Data Sheet:

DETERMINATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY OF SOIL

(Falling Head Test)

SOIL SAMPLE DATA

Diameter of sample, D cm

Cross-sectional area of sample, A cm 2

Length of sample, L cm

Mass of dry sample, Ms g

Moisture content of sample, w %

Bulk density of sample, ρ Mg/cm3

STANDPIPES DATA

Standpipe no. 1 2 3

Diameter, d cm

Area, a cm2

Test No. Standpipe a h1 h2 t A L k

No. cm2 cm cm sec cm2 cm cm/sec

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 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
2

Overall average coefficient of permeability of soil sample, k cm/sec

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result
1. Attach the table of the result.
2. Show sample calculation in determining the coefficient of permeability using
falling head test.

Discussion
1. What is the importance of determining the coefficient of permeability of the soil?
2. Does the result lies within the expected range of common permeability coefficient,
k value for that particular type of soil used in the experiment?
3. What are the factors that influenced different value of permeability coefficient of
RESULTS soil?

Conclusion
1. What is the objective of this laboratory test? Have your group achieved the
objective of the laboratory test?
2. Briefly describe the possible errors that may have occurred.
3. How to prevent or minimise the error?

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of
the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UITM PASIR GUDANG MARCH - AUG22