CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST

Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

Soil Permeability 3. Bernoulli’s Energy Equation in soil-

1. Permeability or Hydraulic conductivity, k- the ′
𝑣2 𝑃
property of soil that permits the passage of 𝑩𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒊 𝒔 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, ℎ = + +𝑧
2𝑔 𝛾𝑤
water under a gradient of force or it is how
fast the water flows through voids. 𝑃
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙, ℎ = +𝑧
2. Transmissivity / Transmissibility- the 𝛾𝑤
ability of an aquifer to transmit water 4. Hydraulic gradient, i- is a dimensionless
through its entire thickness. parameter.
𝑇 = 𝑘𝐿 Δℎ
𝑖= ; Δℎ = ℎ𝐴 − ℎ𝐵
𝐿
5. Discharge velocity, v- velocity flowing
through the area of the whole soil specimen.
From Darcy’s formula:
𝑣 = 𝑘𝑖
6. Seepage velocity, 𝒗𝒔 - velocity of flowing
through the voids of the whole soil specimen.
𝑣
𝑣𝑠 =
𝑛
𝑒
For porosity, n 𝑛 =
1+𝑒

7. Flow rate, q- how much fluid passes through an

area in a particular time.
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

𝑞 = 𝑘𝑖𝐴 𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝑄 𝐴ℎ𝑡
𝑞=
𝑡 𝑄𝐿
8. Seepage Force, SF- the force transmitted to a 𝑘=
𝜋𝑑 2
body of soil due to the seepage of water. ( 4 ) ℎ𝑡
𝑆𝐹 = 𝑖𝛾𝑤 10. Falling-Head Permeability Test, k- a
9. Constant-Head Permeability Test, k- a laboratory test used in determining the
laboratory test used in determining the
permeability of soil sample, wherein the head
difference is constant.
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

permeability of soil sample, wherein the head

difference is varying.
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= ln( )
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
11. Correction due to temperature, 𝑹𝑻 - the
baseline temperature is 20 degrees Celsius,
therefore when:
20℃ > 𝑇 > 20℃
Use, 𝑅𝑇 = 2.42 − 0.475ln(𝑇)
12. Corrected coefficient of permeability,
𝒌𝟐𝟎℃
𝑘20℃ = 𝑅𝑇 𝑘

13. Equivalent HORIZONTAL hydraulic

conductivity (FLOW PARALLEL), 𝒌𝑯(𝒆𝒒) - it
considers the PERPENDICULAR
thickness/length/height of soil along the
direction of the flow.
(𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2 + 𝑘3 𝐻3 + ⋯ + 𝑘𝑁 𝐻𝑁 ) 𝒌𝑽𝒏
𝑘𝐻(𝑒𝑞) = 𝑯𝒏
𝐻 𝒌𝑯𝒏
𝐻 = 𝐻1 + 𝐻2 + 𝐻3 + ⋯ + 𝐻𝑁 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

14. Equivalent VERTICAL hydraulic

conductivity (FLOW PERPENDICULAR), 𝒌𝑽(𝒆𝒒) - it
considers the PERPENDICULAR
thickness/length/height of soil along the
𝒌𝑽𝒏
direction of flow.
𝒌𝑯𝒏 𝑯𝒏
𝐻
𝑘𝑉(𝑒𝑞) =
𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 𝐻
( 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 𝑁)
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3 𝑘𝑁
𝐻 = 𝐻1 + 𝐻2 + 𝐻3 + ⋯ + 𝐻𝑁
𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

15. Equivalent HORIZONTAL hydraulic

conductivity for STRATIFIED SOIL SAMPLE,
𝒌𝑯(𝒆𝒒) - consider a cross-section of unit length
passing through the layers of soil
perpendicular to the direction of flow.
(𝑘1𝑥 𝐻1 + 𝑘2𝑥 𝐻2 + + ⋯ + 𝑘𝑁𝑥 𝐻𝑁 )
𝑘𝐻(𝑒𝑞) =
𝐻
𝑞 = 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 + 𝑞3 + ⋯ + 𝑞𝑁
16. Equivalent VERTICAL hydraulic
conductivity for STRATIFIED SOIL SAMPLE, 𝒌𝑽(𝒆𝒒) -
consider a cross-section of unit length
passing through the layers of soil parallel to
the direction of flow.
𝐻
𝑘𝑉(𝑒𝑞) = Equivalent of each variable in soil permeability:
𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 𝐻
( 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 𝑁)
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3 𝑘𝑁 k, hydraulic conductivity / coefficient of
𝑐𝑚 𝑚
𝑞 = 𝑞1 = 𝑞2 = 𝑞3 = ⋯ = 𝑞𝑁 permeability ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟

𝑣 = 𝑣1 = 𝑣2 = 𝑣3 = ⋯ = 𝑣𝑁 𝑐𝑚2 𝑚2
T, transmissivity ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟

L, length of soil specimen/ distance between two

points in a soil (m,cm)
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

𝑐𝑚 𝑚
v, velocity/ discharge velocity ( , ) L, length of soil specimen/ distance between two
𝑠 ℎ𝑟
points in a soil (m,cm)
𝑁 𝑁
P, pressure ( , , 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝑃𝑎 h, constant head (m, mm, cm)
𝑚𝑚2 𝑚2

g , earth’s gravitational acceleration =9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 t, time / period (s, min., hr.)
𝛾𝑤 ,unit weight of water= 9.81 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 a, area of the stand pipe (𝑐𝑚2 , 𝑚2 )
i, hydraulic gradient A, area of soil specimen/soil sample (𝑐𝑚2 , 𝑚2 )
∆ℎ change in head (m, mm, cm) D, diameter of the soil specimen / permeameter (m,
mm, cm)
n, porosity
e, void ratio d, diameter of the stand pipe (m, mm, cm)

𝑐𝑚3 𝑚3 ℎ1 , initial head (m, mm, cm)

q, flow rate ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟
ℎ2 , final head (m, mm, cm)
2 2
A, area of soil specimen/soil sample (𝑐𝑚 , 𝑚 )
∆ℎ change in head ℎ1 − ℎ2 (m, mm, cm)
3 3
Q, volume collected / volume (𝑐𝑚 , 𝑚 )
t, time / period (s, min., hr.)
t, time / period (s, min., hr.)
T, temperature (degree Celsius)
SF, seepage force
For constant-head/ falling-head permeability test
Q, volume collected / volume (𝑐𝑚3 , 𝑚3 )
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

17. PERMEABILITY TEST BY PUMPING WELLS B. Well in a confined permeable layer/aquifer

A. Well in an unconfined permeable layer underlain by an impermeable layer stratum.
underlain by an impermeable layer stratum.

𝑟
𝑞 ln( 1 ) 𝑟
𝑟2 𝑞 ln( 1 )
𝑘= 𝑟2
𝜋(ℎ1 2 − ℎ2 2 ) 𝑘=
2𝜋𝑡(ℎ1 − ℎ2 )
ℎ1 = 𝐻 − 𝑧1
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

ℎ2 = 𝐻 − 𝑧2 h2, height of the water in the nearest observation

well (m, mm, cm)
t, thickness of the confined aquifer (m, mm, cm)
18. Transmissivity of Aquifer in a Pumping
Test H, height from the water table (before pumping) to
𝑟 the base of observation well (m, mm, cm)
𝑞 ln( 1 )
𝑟2 19. Seepage Analysis
𝑇=
2𝜋(𝑧2 − 𝑧1 ) a. Flow net, it is a combination of flow lines
Equivalent of each variable in permeability test and equipotential lines
by pumping wells: b. Flow line, it is a path along which water
particle travel.
𝑐𝑚3 𝑚3
q, rate of flow / discharge ( , ) c. Equipotential line, it is line joining points
𝑠 ℎ𝑟
having equal total head. If piezometers are
r1, farthest distance from test wells (m, mm, cm) inserted into the soil at different points
r2, nearest distance from test wells (m, mm, cm) along an equipotential line, water would rise
on the same elevation in all these
z1, draw down from the farthest observation well piezometers.
(m, mm, cm) d. Flow path, the space between two adjacent flow
z2, draw down from the nearest observation well line also known as flow channel.
(m, mm, cm) e. Field, is the space between any two adjacent
flow lines and adjacent equipotential line
h1, height of the water in the farthest observation
well (m, mm, cm)
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

20. Seepage flow for isotropic soils

𝑘∆𝐻𝑁𝑓
𝑄=
𝑁𝐷
21. Seepage flow for non-isotropic soils
(√𝑘𝐻 𝑘𝑉 )∆𝐻𝑁𝑓
𝑄=
𝑁𝐷

Equivalent of each variable in seepage analysis:

k, hydraulic conductivity / coefficient of
𝑐𝑚 𝑚
permeability ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟

𝑘𝐻 , hydraulic conductivity / coefficient of

𝑐𝑚 𝑚
permeability in horizontal direction ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟

𝑘𝑣 , hydraulic conductivity / coefficient of

𝑐𝑚 𝑚
permeability in vertical direction ( , )
𝑠 ℎ𝑟

∆𝐻, difference in water elevation (𝐻1 − 𝐻2 ,

𝑁𝑓 , number of flow channels / flow lines
𝑁𝐷 , number of potential drops
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

Soil Permeability Sample Problems: and the outflow at B is collected by beaker.

The average amount of water collected is 1
1. For a constant head permeability test. A test
cm^3 for every 10 seconds. The tube is
gives these values:
inclined as shown. Determine the following:
L= 30 cm, A= 177 cm^2
Constant head difference = 50 cm
Water collected in a period of 5 minutes = 350
cm^3
Calculate the hydraulic conductivity in
cm/sec.

2. For a falling head permeability test

arrangement shown in the previous module. A
test gives these values:
Length of specimen= 200 mm
Area of soil specimen= 1000 mm^2
Area of standpipe = 40 mm^2
Head difference at time (t=0) = 500 mm
Head difference at time (t=180 sec) = 300 mm
Calculate the hydraulic conductivity in
cm/sec. a. Hydraulic gradient
b. Flow rate
3. A soil sample 10 cm in diameter is placed in c. Average velocity
a tube 1 m long. A constant supply of water is d. Seepage velocity if e=0.60
allowed to flow in one end of the soil at A, e. Hydraulic conductivity

4. 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 240 seconds = 420
cc
Void ratio of the soil specimen = 0.55
a. Coefficient of permeability of the soil in
cm/min.
b. Discharge velocity in cm/min.
c. Interstitial velocity in cm/min.
d. Hydraulic gradient.
e. Coefficient of permeability in cm/min if the
temperature during the test is at 28 degrees
Celsius.
5. The data from the falling head test as shown
in the figure:
Diameter of stand pipe = 6 mm
Initial head = 92 cm
Final head = 85 cm
CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan
Duration of the test = 12 minutes
Length of soil sample = 30 cm
Diameter of the permeameter = 40 cm
a. Coefficient of permeability in cm/s.
b. Hydraulic gradient
c. Rate of flow in the soil
d. Seepage velocity of the soil if the porosity
is 0.25
e. Coefficient of permeability if the temperature
during the test is at 22 degrees Celsius.
6. The data from the falling head test as shown
in the table.
Determine the following:
a. What soil specimen gives the maximum
hydraulic conductivity in cm/s?
b. What soil specimen gives the minimum
hydraulic gradient?
c. What soil specimen gives the maximum rate
of flow?
d. What soil specimen gives the minimum seepage
velocity?
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

e. If soil A, B, and C is at 32.75 degrees discharged in 20 minutes. The cross-sectional

Celsius which of the following gives the area of the soil is 4000 𝑚𝑚2 and k=4.0 mm/s.
minimum hydraulic conductivity?

Parameters SOIL SPECIMEN

for falling- SOIL A SOIL B SOIL C
head test
Diameter of 50 mm 75 mm 100 mm
stand pipe
Initial head 375 mm 475 mm 575 mm
Final head 220 mm 320 mm 420 mm
Duration of 162 3.15 0.055
the test seconds minutes hours
Length of soil 28.5 cm 23.75 cm 21.65 cm
sample
Diameter of 35 mm 40 mm 45 mm 8. A horizontal stratified soil deposit consists
the soil of three layers each uniform in itself. The
specimen coefficient of permeability of these layers
Void ratio 1.88 2.51 2.94 are 8𝑥10−4 𝑐𝑚/𝑠, 52𝑥10−4 𝑐𝑚/𝑠,and 6𝑥10−4 𝑐𝑚/𝑠, and
their thickness are 7,3, and 10 m
7. For the test arrangement shown in the figure, respectively.
calculate the volume in (𝑚3 ) of water
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

a. Find the effective average permeability of 10. Figure shows three layers of soil in a
the deposit in the horizontal direction in tube that is 100 mm 100 mm in cross section.
mm/s. Water is supplied to maintain a constant-head
b. Find the effective average permeability of difference of 300 mm across the sample. The
the deposit in the horizontal direction in hydraulic conductivities of the soils in the
mm/s. direction of flow through them are as follows:
Soil Permeability
9. A layered soil is shown in the figure with the Layer (cm/s)
following values: A 10−2
Height of the soil Permeability (cm/s) B 3.0𝑥10−3
(m) C 4.9𝑥10−4
1.5 10−4
3.0 3.2𝑥10−2
2.0 4.1𝑥10−5

Estimate the ratio of the hydraulic conductivity

 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

Find the rate of water supply in a. Compute the average coefficient of

𝑐𝑚3 /ℎ𝑟 permeability in m/hr.
b. Compute the interstitial velocity of water
11. A reservoir with a 3400 m^2 area is
moving through the soil if it has a void ratio
underlain by layers of stratified soil as
of 0.60. Express in cm/sec
depicted in the figure.
c. Compute the water loss from the reservoir in
one year in cu.m. Assuming that the pore
pressure at the bottom sand layer is zero.

12. A deposit of cohesion less soil with a

permeability of
3.0𝑥10−2 𝑐𝑚/𝑠 has a depth of 10 m with an
impervious ledge below. A sheet pile wall is
driven into this deposit to a depth of 7.5 m.
The wall extends above the surface of the soil
and a 2.5 m of water acts on one side.
Determine the seepage quantity per meter
length of the wall in
3
𝑐𝑚 /𝑠 .
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

water into coffer dam is 0.25 𝑚3 /ℎ𝑟 per unit

length, what is the coefficient of
permeability of the sand in m/s?

13. A river bed consists of layer of sand 8.25

m thick overlying impermeable rock; the depth
of water is 2.50 m. A long cofferdam 5.50 m
wide is formed by driving two lines of sheet
piling to a depth of 6.00 m below the level of
the river bed, and excavation to a depth of
2.00 m below bed level is carried out within
the coffer dam. The water level at the coffer
dam is kept at excavation level by pumping. If
the flow of water into the coffer dam is kept
at excavation level by pumping. If the flow of

14. The coefficient of permeability below a
dam is 4m/day. The water on the upstream side
is 20 meters higher than on the downstream
side. To estimate the seepage below the dam,
a flow net was graphically drawn such that the
number of potential drops, Nd=10 and the
number of flow channel Nf=4. The base of the
dam is founded 1 meters below the ground.
Between the heel and the toe of the dam, a
distance of 30 m, there are 8 potential drops.
Determine the following:
CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan
a. Determine the seepage of flow per meter
width of the dam, in liters/min.
b. Determine the uplift pressure at the heel
of the dam, in kPa.
c. Determine the uplift pressure at the toe of
the dam, in kPa.
15. After 24 hours of pumping at 50
liters/sec, the water level in an observation
well at a distance of 100 meters from the test
well is 0.50 m. At another observation well 50
meter located from the test well, the water
level dropped by 1.0 meter. Height of the
water from the test well is 27 meters.
Determine the following:
a. Estimate the rate of flow in cubic meters
per day.
b. Evaluate the coefficient of permeability of
the aquifer in meters per day.
c. Compute the transmissibility of aquifer in
square meters per day.
d. If each household that receives water supply
from the pumping wells used 90.09 liters /
 CIE 047: SOIL PERMEABILITY, CONSTANT HEAD & FALLING HEAD TEST
Prepared by: Engr. John Paul R. Tumangan

day. How many households per day the test

well was able to supply?
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive
if you have faith. –Matthew 21:22
Engr.____________________________