CZU 621.

882

ROMANIAN STANDARD
FOUNDATION GROUND LABORATORY PERMEABILITY TEST Teren de fundare DETERMINAREA PERMEABILITATII Terrain de fondation DETERMINATION DE LA PERMEABILITE EN LABORATOIRE 1. GENERAL

STAS 1913/6-76
Classification index G 23 Replacing: STAS 4166-64 Previous editions: 1953, 1964, 1971,1975 Validation date: 1976-02-01

1.1 This standard establishes the determination method in laboratory of permeability of clay-bearing soils, sandy soils and of gravel defined according to STAS 3950-74 and STAS 1243-74. 1.2. The permeability (defined according to STAS 3950-74) is expressed by the value of the permeability coefficient k. 1.3 The permeability coefficient is given by the ratio:
k=v/i where apparent filtration speed as being the ratio between the water debit that passes through a plane surface from the porous environment, perpendicular on the current fluid direction and the surface aria; i hydraulic gradient or hydraulic pitch i = h / l, defined as being the ratio between the difference of piezometric level h for two equipotential surfaces and the length of the current line l. The permeability coefficient has speed dimensions (LT-1) and is expressed in cm/s or m/s or m/24 h. The permeability coefficient depends on the characteristics of the earth mineral skeleton as well as on the characteristics of water that runs through its pores. The main factors which influence the permeability coefficient value are: - porosity and geometrical characteristics of the pores; - mineralogical nature of soils; - specific weight of the water; - value of the hydraulic gradient i, for the clays; - water viscosity; - stratification (for the permeability coefficient determination it shall be specified the direction of taking the sample from the layer). The permeability coefficient characterizes quantitatively the earth permeability in validity limits of Darcys law; these limits are determined by the hydraulic gradients: minimum ii (inferior limit) and maximum is (superior limit) fig. 1 and 2. v (1)

Validity domain of Darcys law for clay

Validity domain of Darcys law for sands

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STAS 1913/6-76

1.3.1

The inferior limit of the hydraulic gradient, for sands and gravels, can be considered i = 0 (fig. 1). The inferior limit of the hydraulic gradient, for clay, is i 0 (fig. 2). Because the inferior limit for clay can have very high values, (ii can reach and exceed the value 10 ... 30), it is necessary a characterization on domains of clay soils permeability for i ii and that is: a) impervious domain, where k = 0 in the limits i = 0....io; b) intermediate domain, where Darcys modified law can be applied: v = k (i - io) in the limits i = io.....ii (2) where io is minimum hydraulic gradient, necessary to set the water in motion (initial gradient) c) permeable domain, where Darcys law is applied (v = k i) in the limits i = ii ....is OBSERVATION: - For similar soil, k coefficients from b and c domains are different.

1.3.2
formula: where

The superior limit of the hydraulic gradient is, for sands, is determined from Reynolds criterion, with the is __8v____ ( 0,75n+0,23) k d10 (3)

n porosity (decimal expression) d10 diameter of sieve meshes by which passes a quantity equally with 10% from the sands total mass, in cm; v kinematical viscosity (according to STAS 737/7-69) of water in cm2/s, whose values, depending on the temperature are given in annex 1. k permeability coefficient (subclause 1.3). The superior limit of the hydraulic gradient is, for clay, is determined by laboratory tests.

1.4

For characterizing the clay permeability is necessary the determination of three of the following parameters: - initial gradient io; - inferior limit of validity of the hydraulic gradient by Darcys law, ii; - permeability coefficient k for b domain (subclause 1.3.1) - permeability coefficient k for c domain (subclause 1.3.1). OBSERVATION: - In the current work it is determined the permeability coefficient for an asked hydraulic gradient. At the same time with the indication of permeability coefficient k, will be indicated also the hydraulic gradients on which the determination was made. The orientated values of the permeability coefficient k are entered in annex 2.

1.5 1.5.1

The laboratory determination methods of the permeability coefficient are: Permeameter method with constant gradient: - suction-free or - with suction. Apply to all types of soil, both on undisturbed samples and on disturbed samples. On disturbed samples one can do permeability determinations at different degrees of puddling. 1.5.2 The permeameter method with variable gradient applies to non-cohesive soils. It is recommended: - the utilization of suction permeameters with constant gradient, for non-cohesive soils (sands and gravels); - the utilization of suction-free permeameters with constant gradient, for cohesive soils (clay, dust and loess); - the utilization of suction-free permeameters with variable gradient, for non-cohesive soils. 2. METHOD OF SUCTION-FREE PERMEAMETER WITH CONSTANT GRADIENT

2.1 2.1.1

Method principle The method consists in the permeability determination, by passing a stream of water under constant gradient (constant level difference, constant sample length) through a soil sample. 2.2. Test pieces preparation 2.2.1 For the determination of soil permeability can be taken both undisturbed samples and disturbed samples, in the conditions stipulated by STAS 1242/4-75.

STAS 1913/6-76

2.2.2

The undisturbed samples are taken directly with the punch. The disturbed samples are taken either directly with the punch, or are loaded in the punch for the required compaction (previously, the earth is dispersed and brought to the required humidity). The samples taken directly in the punch are sampled with an excess and then the ends are scraped off at the exact dimensions of the punch, by means of a straight cutter. For the undisturbed samples one will specify the extraction direction of the sample in relation with the layer orientation. 2.2.3 Before performing the proper determination, there are established the following geometrical and geotechnical characteristics of the test piece: - test piece length l, in cm; - transversal section of the test piece A, in cm2; - porosity n (or pores index e), with 0,01 accuracy (according to STAS 1913/1-73 and STAS 1917-73). NOTE: -Usually are used test pieces having l = 2.....10 cm, A = 18 .... 50 cm2. 2.2.4 Soil and water test pieces by means of which the permeability will be determined, are preserved in the laboratory until their temperature becomes one and same with the room temperature. NOTE: - For clay and dust it is usually used distilled and un-aerating water. In the absence of distilled water, one can use potable water, boiled and cooled. For sands and gravels one can use water from the water supply system.

2.3

Equipment - Suction-free permeameter with constant gradient, according to figure 3, made of: - metallic cylinder (punch) (1), where the sample is introduced, having known volume; the punch - diameter shall be at least 10 times the size of maximum particle from the examined test piece;

Towards draining channel

cylindrical, metallic permeameter body (2) provided with an air escape valve (3); constant level tank (4), adjustable, provided with gutter(5); rubber or plastic tube (6); constant level tank (7), fixed, provided with gutter (5); graduated cylinder (8); straightway valves (9) and (10); transparent piezometric tubes (11) and (12), graduated in mm, having common zero quota; soil test piece (13); water supply (14); filters (15).

NOTE: - The permeameter is made of stainless materials. The filters can be sieves, porous rocks or granular materials, so that they comply with the following two conditions: not to allow passing fine particles from the sample and to have low hydraulic resistance, less than 1 % from the one that the examined sample impedes. When dealing with low coefficient of permeability soils, the pieces (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (14) can be replaced with a pressure device, provided with manometer. - Thermometer with 0,5 oC accuracy; - Chronometer with 0,5 s accuracy; - Technical balance with 1 kg capacity, and 0,2 g accuracy; - Graded cylinders.

STAS 1913/6-76

4. 2.4.1

Operating mode

The permeability soil determination, in laboratory, includes the following operations: - test piece sampling in the punch (s. 2.2.2); - introduction of the punch in the permeameter; - gas (air) evacuation through the soil test piece pores; - temperature measurement; - proper determination. 2.4.2 The punch with the soil test pieces (1) is introduced in the permeameter (2) ensuring the tightness between the punch and the permeameter ends, through grommets. 2.4.3 The gases from the test piece pores are evacuated with water from below upward, by closing the valve (9) and opening the valves (10) and (14), flowing through a hydraulic gradient smaller than 1. The end of the gas evacuation is announced by the emersion of water in the piezometric tube (12) and can last from a few seconds for sand samples, till tens of hours for clay. 2.4.4 The water temperature is measured at the entrance and exit from the test piece at the beginning, during as well as at the end of the determination. 2.4.5 After finishing evacuating the gases from the test piece, valve (10) is closed, valve (9) is opened and after the flow becomes normal one measures the following: - the evacuated water volume V through gutter (5) and measured with graduated cylinder (8), in cm3, during period T; - the period of time T, during which flows the water volume V, in seconds; - the level difference h recorded between the two piezometric tubes (11) and (12), in cm, with 1 mm accuracy. The flow becoming normal is detected by repeating the measurement of V, T and h, until obtaining some relatively constant values of the permeability coefficient k (the difference between the two consecutive values should be below 10%). Becoming normal can last from a few minutes for sands, till tens of hours for clay. It shall be used preferably un-aerated distilled water. During the determination the air evacuation from the permeameter will be ensured. 2.4.6 The determination is repeated with different hydraulic gradients on the same test piece without removing it. OBSERVATION: - If with the following determinations it is detected a slight reduction of the permeability coefficient, this can be improved by a vigilant air evacuation from the permeameter. Other wise the determination on that test piece is stopped.

2.5 2.5.1

Results calculus
The permeability coefficient kt (at temperature t measured according to s. 2.4.4) is calculated with the formula: kt=

v i

(5)

where where

v=

V h and i= AT l

V, T according to s. 2.4.5 A according to s. 2.2.3 h according to s. 2.4.5 l according to 2.2.3. 2.5.2 The value of the permeability coefficient calculated in accordance with subclause 2.5.1 will be corrected for the reference temperature of 20oC with the formula: k= kt* c where c correction coefficient, dimensionless, given in table 1. Table 1

STAS 1913/6-76

2.5.3

The obtained data are entered in a report whose model is given in annex 3.

3. METHOD OF SUCTION PERMEAMETER WITH CONSTANT GRADIENT

3.1 3.2 3.3
Method principle, according to subclause. 2.1.1. Samples preparation, according to subclause 2.2. Equipment Suction permeameter with constant gradient, according to figure 4, made of: - metallic cylinder (punch) (1) where the test piece is introduced, having a known volume, - extension cylinder (2), - funnel (3), - triple-way ramification (4), - porous rocks (5) according to point 2.3, - side neck bottle (6) closed hermetically, filled with water from the water supply system, having 5l.....10l capacity,

rubber tube (7), graduated cylinder (8) with 100 cm3 capacity, closed hermetically, adjustable, straightway valves (9), (10) and (11), soil test pieces (12), rubber tube (13), vase (14) with 5l....10l capacity, glass funnel (15), filled with water in accordance with s. 2.2.4. This funnel will be fixed in the way fig. 4 shows, so that its opening shall be at the level of water from the extension cylinder(2). In case of soils with low coefficient of permeability, the pieces (4), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (13) and (14) can be replaced with a vacuum apparatus, provided with manometer. Besides the permeameter it is necessary also the measuring instruments shown in the clause 2.3.

The determination is performed according to the stipulations from sections 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.4, 2.4.6 and 2.4.7, with the following completion: Gas evacuation from the soil test piece pores takes place as the flow becomes normal. 3.4.2 In order to perform this determination, the valves (9), (10) and (11) are closed and after the flow becomes normal the following are measured: - the evacuated water volume V and the period of time T, according to subclause. 2.4.5 - the recorded level : h (cm) = h1 +h2 where h1 water level in the extension cylinder, in relation with the inferior side of the earth sample, in cm h2 difference between water levels from the vases (6) and (14), which effectuate the suction, in cm Both h1 and h2 will be determined with 3 mm accuracy.

3.4 3.4.1

Operating mode

STAS 1913/6-76

3.5 4.1

Results processing, according to subclause 2.5.

4. METHOD OF THE PERMEAMETER WITH VARIABLE GRADIENT

Method principle
The method consists in the determination of permeability, by passing a stream under variable gradient (variable level difference: h2 h1) through a soil test piece. 4.2 Samples preparation, according to. subclause 2.2.

4.3

Equipment
The permeameter with variable gradient, according to fig. 5, made of: - metallic or plastic cylinder (1); - transparent glass or plastic cylinder (2), graduated in height in cm and mm; - valve (3); - glass vase with high margins (4), so that the water level shall outrun with approximately 1 cm the superior side of the sample; - gutter (5); - soil test piece (6); - filter (7); - support (8) of the metallic cylinder (1) (allows water circulation between (1) and (4), practically, without resistance).

The determination is performed according to the stipulations from sections 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.4, with the following completion: Gas evacuation from the earth sample pores is done by filling gradually the vase (4) with water. The end of the gas evacuation is announced by the emersion of water in the transparent tube (2). 4.4.2 In order to perform this determination, the cylinder (2) is filled with water by opening the valve (3). After filling the cylinder (2), the valve (3) is closed and one watches the descending of the water. One times the period of time T(s), between the moment when the level has the altitude h1 and the one with the altitude h2 (h1 and h2 are measured in proportion to the water level from vase 4). 4.4.3 The determination is repeated at least three times, without removing the sample, at different altitudes h1 and h2. NOTE: - In case of gravels, h1 shall not outrun a certain value appropriate to the validity limit of Darcys law (constant coefficient kt). For review, there are performed many tests with different values h1. The upper limit is exceeded for the values h1 for which k coefficients begin to indicate variations.

4.4 4.4.1

Operating mode

4.5 4.5.1

Results calculus

The permeability coefficient kt (s. 2.5.1.) is calculated with the formula: kt = 2,3

h l log 1 t h2

(6)

where l according to point 2.2.3. T according to point 2.4.5. h1 and h2 according to 3.4.2. The value of the permeability coefficient kt is corrected according to point 2.5.2. The obtained data are entered in a report whose model is given in annex 4.

4.5.2 4.5.3

STAS 1913/6-76 ANNEX 1

THE VALUES OF THE v COEFFICIENT OF KINEMATIC VISCOSITY OF WATER DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE

ANNEX 2 THE ORIENTATIVE VALUES OF THE PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT kt DEPENDING ON THE SOIL NATURE

Soil denomination Gravel and cobbles Sand, sand with gravel Fine sand, powdery sands, sandy dust, loess Sandy clay, powdery clay, clay dust Clay, greasy clay

Kt Cm/s 1010 10 10 10 10
1 3 5 1 3 7 8

10 10 10

10

13

STAS 1913/6-76 ANNEX 3

DETERMINATION OF THE PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT BY THE METHOD OF CONSTANT FREE-SUCTION GRADIENT LABORATORY Instruction............................ Site....................................... Sampling.............................. Sample no............................ Depth................................... Correction Permeability Permeability coefficient at toC coefficient at 20oC c kt k cm/s cm/s

Period of time T s

Difference of level h mm

Length of sample l cm

Test piece section A cm2

Gradient i= h/l

Evacuated water volume V cm

Date

Elaborated by......................................... ANNEX 4 DETEMINATION OF THE PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT BY THE METHOD OF VARIABLE GRADIENT

LABORATORY

Instruction............................ Site....................................... Sampling.............................. Sample no............................ Depth................................... Initial level l/T h1 cm Final level h2 cm Permeability coefficient At 20oC kt cm/s

Period of time T s

h1 h2

log

h1 h2

Date .................................. Developed by: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD INDUSTRY AND WATERS Institute of investigations for land improvement Project chief: ing. Gheorhe Dragomir Final development: Romanian Institute of Standardization Department constructions and materials of construction eng. Alexandra Cristescu

Elaborated by .....................................

In co-operation with: - Institute of constructions from Bucharest - Institute of investigations in constructions and economy of constructions - Institute of studies and designs for land improvement - Institute of designs from county Ilfov