1

Flow in Falling Head Permeameter

The principle of the falling head permeability test on a sample of low permeability such as clay
is shown in Figure.
The notation used in the analysis given below is as follows :-

Length of sample
Area of cross-section of sample
Area of cross-section of standpipe
Heights of water above datum in standpipe:
L
A
a
At time t
1

At time t
2

At any intermediate time, t
Fall during small time increment, dt
y
1

y
2

y
dy
Quantity of water flowing through sample in small time
increment, dt dQ
Height of outlet level above datum y
0


























At any time t, the difference in height between the inlet and outlet levels is equal to (y y
0
). The
hydraulic gradient i at this instant is therefore equal to
L
y y
o
) (






2
The quantity of water flowing through the sample in time dt is equal to the area of the standpipe
multiplied by the drop in height of the water level,
dQ =-a dy (negative sign appears because y is decreasing)

From Darcys Law,

t
aL
kA
y
y y
t
L
y y Ak
y a
t
L
y y Ak
t Aki Q
o
d d
) (
1
or
d
) (
d
d
) (
d d
0
0
=

= =

Integrating the above equation between the limits y =y
1
to y
2
and t =t
1
to t
2
,

} }
=

2
1
2
1
0
t
t
y
y
dt
aL
kA
y y
dy

| |
2
1
2
1
) ( ) ( log
0
t
t
y
y e
t
aL
kA
y y
(

=
) ( log
1 2
0 2
0 1
t t
aL
kA
y y
y y
e
=

Putting y
1
y
o
=h
1
and y
2
- y
o
=h
2
,

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1
1 2
log
) ( h
h
t t A
aL
k
e


The time difference (t
2
t
1
) can be expressed as the elapsed time, t (minutes). The heights h
1
and
h
2
and the length L are expressed in millimeters, and the areas A and a in square millimeters.
Equation then becomes

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1
log
60
) / (
h
h
t A
aL
s mm k
e


To convert natural logarithms to ordinary (base 10) logarithms, multiply by 2.303. If k is
expressed in m/s, the above equation becomes

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1
10
log
60 1000
303 . 2
) / (
h
h
t A
aL
s m k
s m
h
h
At
aL
k / 10 log 84 . 3
5
2
1
10

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

This equation is used for the calculation of permeability from the falling head test.
It should be noted that all heights denoted by y are measured from the datum level, and those
denoted by h are measured from the outlet water level at y
o
above datum.




3



























Procedures :-

1. Calibration of manometer tubes (optional)
a. If the cross-section of the three manometer tubes are not known, they should be
determined as follows for each tubes.
b. Fill the tube with water up to a known mark near the top of the scale, observe to the
nearest mm.
c. Run off water from the tube into a weighed beaker, until the level in the tube has
fallen by about 500mm or more.
d. Read the new water level on the scale, to the nearest mm.
e. Weigh the beaker containing water from the tube to the nearest 0.01g.
f. If m
w
=mass of water (g)
h
1
=initial level in tube (mm)
h
2
=final level in tube (mm)
a =area of cross-section of tube (mm
2
)
Volume of water run-off =m
w
cm
3
(density of water =1g/cm
3
)
Measured volume =(h
1
h
2
)a mm
3

=(h
1
h
2
)a/1000 cm
3

a =1000 m
w
/ (h
1
h
2
) mm
2





4
2. Preparation of cell
a. Weigh the cell body to the nearest 0.1g (m
1
). Measure the mean internal diameter (D)
and length (L) to the nearest 0.5mm.
b. The core cutter type of cell body is designed for taking an undisturbed sample of
cohesive soil in-situ.
c. It can be used to take a test sample from a block sample, or from a conventional tube
or piston sample.
d. Weigh the sample in the cell to the nearest 0.1g (m
2
). Use some of the soil trimmings
for determining the moisture content of the sample.

3. Saturating sample
a. With screw clips M and K open, allow water to flow upwards through the sample
under the small external head in the soaking tank and by capillary action.
b. If the water level in the tank falls by an amount greater than that due to evaporation
loss, it is a positive indication that the sample is taking up water.
c. It may be necessary to allow this process to continue overnight, or for 24 hours or
longer, for a low permeability soil.

4. Filling manometer system
a. Connect the de-aired water supply, open screw clip J carefully to allow water from
the supply line to fill the glass tee-piece.
b. Select the manometer tube to be used for the test and open the valve at its base.
c. Allow water to fill the tube to a level a few centimeters above the h
1
mark by opening
valves J and K.
d. Close screw clip J and fully open screw clip K. Top up the water in the soaking tank
to bring it level with the overflow outlet.

5. Running permeability test
a. Open screw clip M to allow water to flow down through the sample, and observe the
water level in the standpipe.
b. As soon as it reached the level h
1
, start the timer clock.
c. Observe and record the time when the level reached h
2
, then stop the clock.
d. Close screw clip M.
e. The standpipe can be re-filled for a repeat run by opening screw clip J and K.
f. Three or four test runs should be done consecutively.

6. Calculation
a. The permeability k of the sample is calculated from the following equation.
s m
h
h
At
aL
k / 10 log 84 . 3
5
2
1
10

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Where A and a in mm
2
,
h
1
, h
2
and L in mm
t in minutes






5
7. Data

Method of preparation : ..

Sample diameter D : . Length L : ..
Area A : ... Volume, V : ...

Mass of sample +mould, m
2
:
mould, m
1
:
sample, m :

Moisture content : ..

Standpipe diameter d : .. area a : ...

No of test h
1
(mm) h
2
(mm) time, t (min) k (m/s)
1
2
3
4