Predicting the saturated hydraulic conductivity of sand and gravel using effective diameter and void ratio

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 787-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P Chapuis

This paper assesses methods to predict the saturated hydraulic conductivity, k, of clean sand and gravel. Currently, in engineering, the most widely used predictive methods are those of Hazen and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). This paper shows how the Hazen equation, which is valid only for loose packing when the porosity, n, is close to its maximum value, can be extended to any value of n the soil can take when its maximum value of n is known. The resulting extended Hazen equation is compared with the single equation that summarizes the NAVFAC chart. The predictive capacity of the two equations is assessed using published laboratory data for homogenized sand and gravel specimens, with an effective diameter d10 between 0.13 and 1.98 mm and a void ratio e between 0.4 and 1.5. A new equation is proposed, based on a best fit equation in a graph of the logarithm of measured k versus the logarithm of d102e3/(1 + e). The distribution curves of the differences “log(measured k) – log(predicted k)” have mean values of –0.07, –0.21, and 0.00 for the extended Hazen, NAVFAC, and new equations, respectively, with standard deviations of 0.23, 0.36, and 0.10, respectively. Using the values of d10 and e, the new equation predicts a k value usually between 0.5 and 2.0 times the measured k value for the considered data. It is shown that the predictive capacity of this new equation may be extended to natural nonplastic silty soils, but not to crushed soils or plastic silty soils. The paper discusses several factors affecting the inaccuracy of predictions and laboratory test results.Key words: permeability, sand, prediction, porosity, gradation curve.

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 616-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P Chapuis ◽  
Michel Aubertin

The saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil can be predicted using empirical relationships, capillary models, statistical models, and hydraulic radius theories. A well-known relationship between permeability and the properties of pores was proposed by Kozeny and later modified by Carman. The resulting equation is largely known as the Kozeny–Carman (KC) equation, although the two authors never published together. In the geotechnical literature, there is a large consensus that the KC equation applies to sands but not to clays. This view, however, is supported only by partial demonstration. This paper evaluates the background and the validity of the KC equation using laboratory permeability tests. Test results were taken from publications that provided all of the information needed to make a prediction: void ratio, and, either the measured specific surface for cohesive soils, or the gradation curve for noncohesive soils. The paper shows how to estimate the specific surface of a noncohesive soil from its gradation curve. The results presented here show that, as a general rule, the KC equation predicts fairly well the saturated hydraulic conductivity of most soils. Many of the observed discrepancies can be related to either practical reasons (e.g., inaccurate specific surface value; steady flow not reached; unsaturated specimens, etc.) or theoretical reasons (some water is motionless; hydraulic conductivity of soils is anisotropic). These issues are discussed in relation to the predictive capabilities of the KC equation.Key words: permeability, prediction, gradation curve, specific surface.


1990 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Fredericia

The background for the present knowledge about hydraulic conductivity of clayey till in Denmark is summarized. The data show a difference of 1-2 orders of magnitude in the vertical hydraulic conductivity between values from laboratory measurements and field measurements. This difference is discussed and based on new data, field observations and comparison with North American studies, it is concluded to be primarily due to fractures in the till.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243
Author(s):  
Jari Hyväluoma ◽  
Mari Räty ◽  
Janne Kaseva ◽  
Riikka Keskinen

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7301
Author(s):  
Marcin K. Widomski ◽  
Anna Musz-Pomorska ◽  
Wojciech Franus

This paper presents research considering hydraulic as well as swelling and shrinkage characteristics of potential recycled fine particle materials for compacted clay liner for sustainable landfills. Five locally available clay soils mixed with 10% (by mass) of NaP1 recycled zeolite were tested. The performed analysis was based on determined plasticity, cation exchange capacity, coefficient of saturated hydraulic conductivity after compaction, several shrinkage and swelling characteristics as well as, finally, saturated hydraulic conductivity after three cycles of drying and rewetting of tested specimens and the reference samples. The obtained results showed that addition of zeolite to clay soils allowed reduction in their saturated hydraulic conductivity to meet the required threshold (≤1 × 10−9 m/s) of sealing capabilities for compacted clay liner. On the other hand, an increase in plasticity, swelling, and in several cases in shrinkage, of the clay–zeolite mixture was observed. Finally, none of the tested mixtures was able to sustain its sealing capabilities after three cycles of drying and rewetting. Thus, the studied clayey soils mixed with sustainable recycled zeolite were assessed as promising materials for compacted liner construction. However, the liner should be operated carefully to avoid extensive dissication and cracking.


Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rashid Iqbal ◽  
Hiniduma Liyanage Damith Nandika ◽  
Yugo Isobe ◽  
Ken Kawamoto

Gas transport parameters such as gas diffusivity (Dp/D0), air permeability (ka), and their dependency on void space (air-filled porosity, ε) in a waste body govern convective air and gas diffusion at solid waste dumpsites and surface emission of various gases generated by microbial processes under aerobic and anaerobic decompositions. In this study, Dp/D0(ε) and ka(ε) were measured on dumping solid waste in Japan such as incinerated bottom ash and unburnable mixed waste as well as a buried waste sample (dumped for 20 years). Sieved samples with variable adjusted moistures were compacted by a standard proctor method and used for a series of laboratory tests for measuring compressibility, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and gas transport parameters. Results showed that incinerated bottom ash and unburnable mixed waste did not give the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Measured compressibility and saturated hydraulic conductivity of tested samples varied widely depending on the types of materials. Based on the previously proposed Dp/D0(ε) models, the diffusion-based tortuosity (T) was analyzed and unique power functional relations were found in T(ε) and could contribute to evaluating the gas diffusion process in the waste body compacted at different moisture conditions.


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