2.3. Permeability

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is permeability?

   Hint

   Think about how water flows through soils.

2. 2.

   How does compaction affect void spaces?

   Hint

   Consider what happens to air in the soil.

3. 3.

   How does soil compaction impact permeability?

   • Increases permeability
   • Decreases permeability
   • No effect

   Hint

   Consider the effect of packing down a sponge.

4. 4.

   True or False: Larger particles increase soil permeability.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about walking on beach sand versus finely packed dirt.

5. 5.

   Given a soil sample with variable compaction levels, design an experiment to measure its permeability variations.

   Hint

   Consider how compactive effort will change observable outcomes.

6. 6.

   Reflect on a scenario where excessive compaction leads to drainage failure. Analyze factors that could have contributed to this outcome.

   Hint

   Put yourself in the shoes of an engineer evaluating a failed drainage project.