In-Situ Hydraulic Conductivity
Tests for Compacted Clay
Ref : Daniel, D.E., In-Situ Hydraulic Conductivity
Tests for Compacted Clay, Journal of Geotechnical
Engineering, Vol.115, No.9, September 1989.
In-Situ Tests
Borehole and Porous Probe Devices
Infiltrometers and Lysimeters
In-Situ Ksat Tests
Borehole Tests
Boutwell Permeameter
Constant-Head Borehole Permeameter
Porous Probes
BAT Permeameter
Infiltrometers
Open, Single Ring Infiltrometer
Open, Double Ring Infiltrometer
Sealed, Single Ring Infiltrometer
Sealed, Double Ring Infiltrometer
Boutwell Permeameter Test
Two-stage Test
Measures both Khoriz. and Kvert.
Boutwell Permeameter
Boutwell Permeameter Test
Stage 1:
drill a hole
place a casing in the hole
seal the annular space
perform falling head test
calculate k1
continue test until steady conditions are
reached(a few days-2 weeks)
Boutwell Permeameter Test
Stage 2:
deepen the hole ( Auger or push sampling
tube)
Calculate: K2
Stage 2 terminated when steady
conditions are reached
Boutwell Permeameter Test
Calculate K2 / K1
Determine m from Figure
Kh = mK1
Kv = (1/m)K1
Boutwell Permeameter
Stage I:
Stage II:
H1
d2
k1
ln
11D( t 2 t1 ) H 2
A H1
k 2 ln
B H2
Ad
where:
L
L2
ln 1 2
D
D
0.5
L
L
B 8D t 2 t1 1 .562 exp 1.57
D
D
k h mk1
and
kv
k1
m
Curves for k1/k2 versus m
(L/D = 1.0, 1.6, 2.0)
Boutwell Permeameter Test
Assumptions:
Soil is homogeneous and uniformly soaked
Porewater pressure=0 at base ( Stage 1 )
and the center of uncased section ( Stage
2)
effects of soil suction is negligible
no volume change
Constant Head Borehole
Permeameter
Constant water level maintained in borehole
Measure q, rate of flow needed to maintain
constant water level
calculate K:
- based on theoretical solutions
- based on statistical regression analysis
results
-see original reference for details
Constant Head Borehole
Permeameter
Assumptions:
Soil is homogeneous, isotropic, uniformly
soaked
boundaries at infinity
soil does not swell when wetted
Porous Probes
(eg. BAT Permeameter)
Probe pushed or driven into soil
constant or falling head tests are
performed
BAT Permeameter: Student
Presentation
Porous Probe Test
Porous Probes
(eg. BAT Permeameter)
Assumptions:
Soil is homogeneous, isotropic, uniformly
saturated
boundaries at infinity
soil - not smeared across the porous
element
soil suction negligible
isothermal conditions
Infiltrometer Tests
Infiltrometers
I
Hydraulic Conductivity, k
i
where :
V
I
At
(H L f )
i
Lf
H depth of ponded water
L f depth of wetting front
Open, Single Ring
Infiltrometer
Simplest type of infiltrometer
Ring is embedded in trench that is sealed
with bentonite grout
Calculate rate of infiltration:
I = Q/At
Calculate K:
K=I/i
where i= (H+Lf+f)/Lf
Open, Single Ring
Infiltrometer
Assumptions:
Soil is homogeneous and uniformly
soaked
No lateral spreading of water
No volume change due to swelling
Open, Double Ring
Infiltrometer
Works on the same principle as the
open, single ring infiltrometer except
that there are two infoltrometer rings
in this test apparatus
Infiltration rates from inner ring used
for calculation of Ksat
Outer ring limits lateral spreading of
water
Sealed, Single Ring
Infiltrometer
Works on the same principle as the
open, single ring infiltrometer except
that the infiltrometer ring is sealed to
minimize evaporative losses
Flow rate measured by a small stand
pipe or by using a Mariotte system
Similar device Air-Entry
Permeameter
Sealed Single Ring Infiltrometer
Ring Infiltrometer with Mariotte Tubes
Sealed, Double Ring
Infiltrometer (SDRI)
Two infiltrometer rings with sealed inner
ring and open outer ring
Flow rate from inner ring measured by
weighing a small flexible bag filled with
water (attached to inner ring)
Eliminates evaporative losses, and error
due to volume changes in water due to
temperature changes
Sealed Double Ring Infiltrometer
Air Entry Permeameter
Sealed infiltrometer ring (about 60 cm in
diameter)
Conducted in two stages
Stage I: rate of infiltration determined
from falling head test or constant head
test (Mariotte bottle)
Stage II: valve to the flow measuring
device closed, negative pressure
measured on vacuum gage
Air-entry Permeameter
Air-entry Permeameter
I Lf
H L f f
where I V
At
1 Uw
f
L f G
2 w
Underdrains or Lysimeters
Lysimeter pan placed underneath the
clay liner
Clay liner built over it
Ksat calculated based on outflow rate
using Darcys Law
