Constant Head Permeability Test Report Outline

Reports must be prepared in computer and include the following parts;

1- Cover Page
2- Table of Contents
3- Introduction: Same as the purpose of the test part of laboratory manual
4- Equipment: Same as the equipment part of laboratory manual
5- Methodology: Same as the procedure part of laboratory manual
6- Calculation: Show detailed calculations for;

a. Using time (t), volume in graduated bowl (Vb) and head difference (h);
calculate discharge (Q), flux (q), hydraulic gradient (i), hydraulic conductivity
(k) and hydraulic conductivity of at 20 0C (k20). Do this calculation for only
one row of data.
b. Show calculation of critical hydraulic gradient.

7- Results:

a. Plot i vs q graph in MS Excel. Calculate the coefficient of permability by

using the graph.
b. Put datasheet.

8- Discussion and Conclusion: Write a discussion part including;

a. Importance of permeability for soil mechanics,

b. Parameters that affect hydraulic conductivity (at least 3 parameters),
c. Discussion related with initial and final porosities of the specimen,
d. Possible laboratory errors of the constant head test,
e. Comparison of hydraulic gradients that we have measured in the lab and
critical hydraulic gradient.

9- Bonus (Optional):

If there are mistakes and point losses in the report, these losses can be covered by putting a
Bonus part. Bonus part can cover up to 15 points. Below, there are four questions. Answer
these questions up to a total of 15 points, i.e., select either question 3 or question 4.

1- What is the relation in between effective diameter and coefficient of permeability for
clean sands? (5 bonus points)

2- What are the methods for calculating hydraulic conductivity for fine-grained soils in the
laboratory? Write at least two methods. (2 bonus points)

3- In the falling head test,' calculation of the hydraulic conductivity is done with the following
formula;

1
= ln( )
2
where,
 k = coefficient of permeability,
a = area of the burette,
L = length of soil column,
A = area of the soil column,
h1 = initial height of water,
h2 = Final height of water, (h = h1-h2)
t = time required to get a head drop of h.

Figure below shows the mentioned parameters in the above formula;

Derive above formula of hydraulic conductivity.(8 bonus points)

4- Derive formula for the critical hydraulic gradient. (8 bonus points)
Hint: You may use below figure to derive the formula. Boiling occurs when effective
stress at point A is equal to 0.