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Soil Permeability Tests - Laboratory and Field Tests

There are laboratory tests - Constant head and Variable head permeability tests and field tests - Pumping out and pumping in tests to determine permeability.

Soil Permeability Tests - Laboratory and Field Tests

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What are the methods for determination of permeability?

Laboratory tests.

• Constant head permeability test.
• Variable head permeability test.

Field tests.

• Pumping out tests.
• Pumping in test.

Indirect methods.

• If the particle size and specific surface area are known then permeability can be determined.
• From the consolidation data

Constant Head Test

Used to determine the coefficient of permeability in Coarse-grained particles like gravel and sand.

• Initially there will not be any steady condition.
• Wait until to the steady condition to attain.
• Soil sample should be saturated

Falling Permeability Test

Discharge is not a measurable quantity in fine grained soils hence variable head test is used. Representative samples should be taken.

• Water is filled in a stand pipe as time passes the level of water keeps decreasing and that will be measured.
• Sample should be saturated

Soil Permeability Tests - Laboratory and Field Tests
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Pumping out tests

Simulating all the field conditions is difficult at the laboratory hence pumping out test gives much accurate values. Water is pumped out from the well and from that the permeability is calculated.

• Expensive method.
• Reliable values are obtained.

When pumping starts from the well, the flow is not steady, with time the flow becomes steady.

Pumping in tests

Water is pumped into the well.

• Economical to perform.
• Less reliable than the pumping out test

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