TITLE: Falling Head Test

1.1 Introduction
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 Theoritical 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 hydraulic gradient of unity.

The falling head test used to determine the coefficient of permeability of fine-grained soils
such as silts and clays. For these types of soils the rate of waterflowing 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 Darcys Law which states the flow
velocity of proportional to the hydraulic gradient and derived as:

K=

a L ln (( h1) (h 2))
A (t 2t 1)

Where;
a = cross-sectional area of the standpipe
A = cross-sectional area of the sample
L = the length of the sample
h1 = initial heigth of the standpipe
h2 = final heigth of the standpipe
t1 = initial time before the start of the test
t2 = final time at the end of the test
2.1 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 knowledge on
soil permeability will help engineers in their design selections. In a group, we are required to
investigate the permeability coefficient of a given soil sample. We 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 campaction mould
Stopwatch
Thermometer
Bucket
Sample extruder

3.2 Procedures
1. A U100 sample or from a core-cutter tube was taken and it was trimmed to
assure that both surface is flat and smooth.
2. The soil sample was placed fully into a triaxial cell on top of a porous stone and again
placed a porous stone on top of the soil sample.
3. The whole set up was placed in a bucket partially submerged in water. The sample was
should be encased in the trixial cellto make sure that no air bubbles are entrapped in yhe soil
sample.
4.The length, L and the diameter, D of the sample was measured. The diameter, a of the
standpipe used in the test was recorded.
5. the standpipe was connected to the sample. The coonection of the standpipe to the
sample should be intact to make sure that the presence of air is minimized.
6. The valve was opened and the water was filled into the standpipe to a marked initial height
of the standpipe. The initial reading for height, h1 and time, t1 was recorded before the
commencement of the test.
7. The valve was opened and the water was filled into the standpipe to a marked initial height
of the standpipe. The initial reading for height, h1 and time, t1 was recorded simultaneously.
8. The temperature was recorded at the time of the test and the temperature correction
obtained from Table 1 for kT and k20. The average of k was computed by repeating the
procedure. The correction for the effect of temperature is given by:

Kt = kt k20
Where;
Kt = value of corresponding to a temperature of t.
K20 = value of corresponding to a temperature of 20C
Kt = temperature correction coefficient

3.2 Data Acquisition

The coefficient of permeability of soils, k =

aL
At

ln

h1
h2

Data sheet:
Determination of the coefficient of permeability of soil
(Falling Head Test)
Soil sample data
Diameter of sample, D
cm
11
Cross-sectional area of sample, A cm2
95.03
Length of sample, L
cm
13.2
Mass of dry sample, Ms
g
Moisture content of sample, W%
Bulk density of sample,

Mg/cm3
Standpipes data
Standpipe no.
Diameter, d cm
Area, a
cm2
Test No.
Standpipe
No.

1
1.5
1.77
a
cm2

2
3.0
7.07
h1
cm

h2
cm

t
sec

1
1
1.77
93.5
6
2
2
2
7.07
94.5
31
2
3
3
15.9
87.0
52
2
Overall average coefficient of permeability of soil sample, k

3
4.5
15.9
A
cm2
95.03
95.03
95.03
cm/sec

L
cm

k
cm/sec

13.20
0.34
13.20
0.55
13.20
0.57
0.4867

Discussions
The test of falling head permeability test is carried out to determine the permeability of soils
of intermediate and low permeability than is less than 10 m/s. The coefficient of permeability
is defined as the flow rate under laminar flow conditions through a unit cross sectional are of
porous medium under unit hydraulic gradient.
The coefficient of permeability for our soil k1=0.34 cm/sec, k2=0.55 cm/sec, and k3=0.57
cm/sec.
The average for the coefficient of permeability is 0.4867 cm/sec.
From here, we knew that silt clay comprised mainly of intermediate sized particles, are fertile,
fairly well drained and hold more moisture than sandly soils, but are easily compacted. Silt as
a soil particles that are 0.002 to 0.05 milimeter in diameter. Silt has a relatively limited
surface area and little chemical activity. Soils high in silt may compact under heavy traffic and
tis affects the movement of air and water in the soil.

Conclusions
As the result, we can able to describe the general accepted practice to determine the
coefficient of permeability of silts and clay, identify the relationship between permeabilityand
pore size of the fine grained soils and measure the coefficient of permeability of silts and
clay.
Permeability can be defined as the ability of a porous medium to allow the flow of a fluid
through it, typically expressed as the coefficient of hydraulic conductivity (k). A porous
medium is a material, granular or fibrous, containing void spaces. In this particular project,
the medium studied was Superpave designed asphalt mixtures and the fluid used was
distilled water at room temperature.
This test was initially investigated for two primary reasons. First, the calculated permeability
values for samples tested using this setup, as well as the permeameter assembly and
process itself is easily checked for consistency. Secondly, the validity of Darcys Law for the
test executed in the laboratory can be evaluated. It was initially assumed for the tests that
Darcys Law is valid and that the hydraulic conductivity is essentially unaffected by hydraulic
gradient.