MODULE 06: PERMEABILITY AND SEEPAGE
Problem 01:
Water flows through a sand filter as shown in Darcy’s experiment. The cross-sectional
area and length of the soil mass are 0.250 m2 and 2.00 m, respectively. The hydraulic
head difference is 0.175 m and coefficient of permeability is 6.95 x 10-4 m/s. Determine
the flow rate of water through the soil.
Given: 𝐴 = 0.250𝑚2 ; 𝐿 = 2.00 𝑚; ℎ = 0.175 𝑚; 𝑘 = 6.95 𝑥 10−4 m⁄𝑠
Req’d.: flow rate, q
Solution:
ℎ
𝑞 = 𝑘𝑖𝐴 = 𝑘 𝐴
𝐿
0.175
𝑞 = 6.95 𝑥 10−4 ( ) (0.250)
2.00
𝑞 = 1.52 𝑥 10−5 m3 ⁄𝑠
Problem 02:
In a soil test, it took 16.5 minutes for 1520 cm3 of water to flow through a sand sample
whose cross-sectional area was 50.5 cm2. The void ratio of the soil sample was 0.68.
Determine the velocity of water through the soil and the actual velocity in cm/s.
Given: 𝑡 = 16.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛.; 𝑄 = 1520 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝐴 = 50.5 𝑐𝑚2 ; 𝑒 = 0.68
Req’d.: velocity of water, v, and actual velocity, vact
Solution:
Solve for velocity of water through soil, v:
From 𝑞 = 𝐴𝑣
𝑄
𝑞
𝑣= = 𝑡
𝐴 𝐴
1520
𝑣 = 16.5
50.5
1
𝑣 = 1.824 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑥
60
𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟎𝟒 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔
Solve for actual velocity, 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 :
𝑣 (1 + 𝑒 )
𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
𝑒
0.0304(1 + 0.68)
𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
0.68
𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟏 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔
Problem 03:
A constant – head permeability test was conducted on a brown sand with a trace of mica.
The following data were obtained: quantity of water discharged during the test = 260 cm3;
length of specimen between manometer outlets = 11.50 cm; time required for a given
quantity of water to be discharged = 68.0 sec; head (difference between manometer
levels) = 5.7 cm; temperature of water = 20oC; diameter of specimen = 10.16 cm.
Determine the coefficient of permeability
Given: 𝑄 = 260 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝐿 = 11.50 𝑐𝑚; 𝑡 = 68.0 𝑠𝑒𝑐; ℎ = 5.7 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 10.16 𝑐𝑚
Req’d: coefficient of permeability, k
Solution:
𝑄𝐿
From 𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ
260(11.50)
𝑘= 𝜋
(10.16)2 (68)(5.7)
4
𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟓𝟐 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
Problem 04:
For a constant laboratory permeability test on a fine sand, the following data are given:
length of specimen = 16 cm; diameter of specimen = 9.6 cm; constant head difference =
50 cm; volume of water collected in 4 min = 420 cc; void ratio of soil specimen = 0.55.
Determine in cm/sec (a) coefficient of permeability; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage
velocity.
Given: 𝐿 = 16 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 9.6 𝑐𝑚; ℎ = 50 𝑐𝑚; 𝑄 = 420 𝑐𝑐; 𝑡 = 4 𝑚𝑖𝑛; 𝑒 = 0.55
Req’d.: (a) coefficient of permeability; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage velocity
Solution:
(a) Coefficient of permeability, k:
𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ
420(16)
𝑘= 𝜋
(9.6)2 (4 𝑥 60)(50)
4
𝒌 = 𝟕. 𝟕𝟒 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔
(b) Discharge velocity, v:
𝑄
𝑞
𝑣= = 𝑡
𝐴 𝐴
420
(4 𝑥 60)
𝑣= 𝜋
(9.6)2
4
𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔
(c) Seepage velocity, 𝑣𝑠 :
𝑣 𝑣 (1 + 𝑒 )
𝑣𝑠 = =
𝑛 𝑒
0.024 (1 + 0.55)
𝑣𝑠 =
0.55
𝒗𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟖 𝐜𝐦⁄𝒔
Problem 05:
In a constant head permeability test, the following are given: length of soil specimen = 30
cm; cross-sectional area of soil specimen = 110 cm2. If the value of the hydraulic
conductivity is 0.019 cm/sec and a flow rate of 130 cm3/min must be maintained through
the soil, determine (a) head difference across the specimen; (b) discharge velocity under
the test condition; (c) seepage velocity if the porosity of the soil sample is 0.25.
Given: 𝐿 = 30 𝑐𝑚; 𝐴 = 110 𝑐𝑚2 ; 𝑘 = 0.019 cm⁄𝑠; 𝑄 = 130 𝑐𝑚3 ; 𝑡 = 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐
Req’d.: (a) head difference; (b) discharge velocity; (c) seepage velocity
Solution:
(a) Head difference, h
𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴𝑡ℎ
𝑄𝐿
ℎ=
𝑘𝐴𝑡
130(30)
ℎ=
0.019 (110)(60)
𝒉 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟎 𝒄𝒎
(b) Discharge velocity, v:
𝑄
𝑣=
𝑡𝐴
130
𝑣=
60(110)
𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟕 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
(c) Seepage velocity
𝒗
𝑣𝒔 =
𝒏
0.0197
𝑣𝑠 =
0.25
𝒗𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
Problem 06:
A falling – head permeability test was conducted on a silty soil. The following data were
obtained: length of specimen = 15.75 cm; diameter of specimen = 10.16 cm; cross-
sectional area of burette = 1.85 cm2; hydraulic head at beginning of test = 125.0 cm;
hydraulic head at end of test = 115 cm; time required for water in the burette to drop = 25
min.; temperature of water = 20oC. Determine the coefficient of permeability.
Given: 𝐿 = 15.75 𝑐𝑚; 𝑑 = 10.16 𝑐𝑚; 𝑎 = 1.85 𝑐𝑚2 ; ℎ1 = 125.0 𝑐𝑚; ℎ2 = 115.0 𝑐𝑚;
𝑡 = 25 𝑚𝑖𝑛.
Req’d.: coefficient of permeability, k
Solution:
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
1.85(15.75) 125
𝑘= 𝜋 𝑙𝑛
(10.16)2 (25𝑥 60) 115
4
𝒌 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔
or
2.3𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
2.3 (1.85)(15.75) 125
𝑘= 𝜋 𝑙𝑜𝑔
(10.16)2 (25 𝑥 60) 115
4
𝒌 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎⁄𝒔
Problem 07:
For a falling – head permeability test, the following are given: length of specimen = 250
mm; area of soil specimen = 1100 mm2; area of stand pipe = 50 mm2; head difference at
time t = 0 is 520 mm; head difference at time t = 3 min is 320 mm. Compute (a) hydraulic
conductivity in cm/s; (b) seepage velocity if the porosity of soil is 0.28; (c) head difference
at time t = 110 sec.
Given: 𝐿 = 250 𝑚𝑚; 𝐴 = 1100 𝑚𝑚2 ; 𝑎 = 50 𝑚𝑚2 ; ℎ1 = 520 𝑚𝑚; ℎ2 = 320 𝑚𝑚; 𝑡 = 3 𝑚𝑖𝑛
Req’d.: (a) hydraulic conductivity; (b) seepage velocity; (c) head difference
Solution:
(a) Hydraulic conductivity, k:
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
50(250) 520
𝑘= ln
1100(3 𝑥 60) 320
𝑘 = 0.03065075 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
𝒌 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟔𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
(b) Seepage velocity, vs, if 𝑛 = 0.28:
Solve for discharge velocity, v:
∆ℎ
𝑣 = 𝑘𝑖 = 𝑘
𝐿
520 − 320
𝑣 = 3.065 𝑥10−3 ( )
250
𝑣 = 2.45𝑥 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠
Solve for seepage velocity, vs:
𝑣
𝑣𝑠 =
𝑛
2.45 𝑥 10−3
𝑣𝑠 =
0.28
𝒗𝒔 = 𝟖. 𝟕𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
(c) Head difference at time t = 110 sec.:
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
𝑚𝑚 50(250) 520
𝑘 = 0.03065075 = ln
𝑠 1100(110) ℎ2
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟑𝟖𝟔. 𝟓𝟎 𝒎𝒎
Problem 08:
For the given soil profile, determine the equivalent coefficient of permeability in the x and
y directions.
1m Kx = 4 x 10-3 cm/s ky = 2 x 10-4 cm/s
2m Kx = 3 x 10-4 cm/s ky = 5 x 10-5 cm/s
Kx = 1 x 10-4 cm/s ky = 3 x 10-5 cm/s
3m
Solution:
For horizontal flow:
𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2 + 𝑘3 𝐻3
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻
4 𝑥 10−1 (1) + 3 𝑥 10−4 (2) + 4 𝑥 10−4 (3)
𝑘𝑥 =
1+2+3
𝒌𝒙 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
For vertical flow:
𝐻
𝑘𝑦 =
𝐻1 𝐻2 𝐻3
+ +
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3
1+2+3
𝑘𝑦 =
1 2 3
−4 + −5 +
2𝑥10 5𝑥10 3𝑥10−5
𝒌𝒚 = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟒 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
Problem 09:
A layered soil is shown with the corresponding values of k1, k2, and k3. Compute (a)
equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability; (b) equivalent vertical coefficient of
permeability; and (c) ratio of the equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability to the
equivalent vertical coefficient of permeability.
H1 = 3 m K1 = 2 x 10-4 cm/s
H2 = 4 m K2 = 3.2 x 10-2 cm/s
Kx = 4.1 x 10-4 cm/s
H3 = 5 m
Solution:
(a) Horizontal coefficient of permeability, kx:
𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2 + 𝑘3 𝐻3
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻
(2 𝑥 10−4 )(3) + (3.2 𝑥 10−2 )(4) + (4.1 𝑥 10−4 )(5)
𝑘𝑥 =
3+4+5
𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟗 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
(b) Vertical coefficient of permeability, ky:
𝐻
𝑘𝑦 =
𝐻1 𝐻2 𝐻3
+ +
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3
3+4+5
𝑘𝑦 =
3 4 5
+ +
2 𝑥 10−4 3.2 𝑥 10−2 4.1 𝑥 10−4
𝒌𝒚 = 𝟒. 𝟑𝟗 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒄𝒎/𝒔
(c) Ratio of equivalent horizontal and vertical coefficients:
𝑘𝑥 0.01089
=
𝑘𝑦 4.39 𝑥 10−4
𝒌𝒙
= 𝟐𝟒. 𝟖𝟏
𝒌𝒚
Problem 10:
A confined aquifer underlies an unconfined aquifer as shown. Calculate (a) equivalent
horizontal coefficient of permeability; (b) hydraulic gradient; and (c) flow rate from one
stream to another per meter width.
35 m K1=35 m/day
55 m
42 m
35 m K2=20 m/day
2 km
Solution:
(a) Equivalent horizontal coefficient of permeability, kx:
𝑘1 𝐻1 + 𝑘2 𝐻2
𝑘𝑥 =
𝐻
35(35) + (20)(35)
𝑘𝑥 =
70
𝒌𝒙 = 𝟐𝟕. 𝟓 𝒎/𝒅𝒂𝒚
(b) Hydraulic gradient, i:
ℎ
𝑖=
𝐿
55 − 42
𝑖=
2000
𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟓
(c) Flow rate, q:
𝑞 = 𝑘𝑖𝐴
55 + 42
𝑞 = 27.5 (0.0065) ( ) (1)
2
𝒒 = 𝟖. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝟑 /𝒅𝒂𝒚
Problem 11:
Compute the seepage flow under the foundation of the dam shown. Use 𝑘 = 0.002 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
Solution:
From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 5; 𝑁𝑑 = 14; ℎ𝐿 = 20 𝑚
𝑁𝑓
Using 𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑
5
𝑞= (0.002)(20)
14
𝑞 = 0 .014 𝑚3 / sec 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
Problem 12:
Calculate the seepage loss per meter length of the sheet pile shown.
Use 𝑘 = 6.5 𝑥 10−6 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐.
Solution:
From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 3; 𝑁𝑑 = 6; ℎ𝐿 = 4.3 𝑚
𝑁𝑓
𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑
3
𝑞= (6.5 𝑥 10−6 ) (4.3)
6
𝒒 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟕𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒎𝟑 / 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓
Problem 13:
The sheet pile is driven in a reclamation area and the area to one side is pumped down
as shown in the flow net. The permeability of sand is 0.001 m/sec. Below elevation level
20 m is an impermeable rock layer. Determine the flow per unit length.
Solution:
From the figure: 𝑁𝑓 = 3; 𝑁𝑑 = 6; ℎ𝐿 = 3 𝑚
𝑁𝑓
𝑞= 𝑘ℎ𝐿
𝑁𝑑
3
𝑞= (0.001 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 )(3)
6
𝒒 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝟑 / 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓
