9. Soil Permeability

The methods for laboratory determination of coefficient of permeability of soils using falling head and the constant head methods. This test is recommended for soils with coefficient of permeability in the range 10-3 to 10-7 cm/s and maximum particle size of 9.5 mm. Objective - permeability test is to determine the coefficient of permeability (K) of a sample, which is defined as the rate of flow of water under laminar flow conditions through a porous medium area of unit cross section under unit hydraulic gradient. Permeability can be expressed as the ease with which water can flow through soils. Coefficient of permeability helps in solving issues related to the: 1. Yield of water bearing strata. 2. Stability of earthen dams 3. Embankments of canal banks 4. Seepage in earthen dams 5. Settlement Issues