2. Seepage in Soils

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is permeability in soil?

   Hint

   Think about how water flows through soil.

2. 2.

   Name one method for measuring the permeability of coarse-grained soil.

   Hint

   Which method do we use for sands and gravels?

3. 3.

   What method is used for measuring permeability in coarse-grained soil?

   • Falling Head Method
   • Constant Head Method
   • Viscosity Method

   Hint

   Think about the type of soil involved!

4. 4.

   True or False: Falling Head Method is used for coarse-grained soils.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider which method is applied to which type of soil.

5. 5.

   If a sandy soil sample allows 500 liters of water to flow through in 10 hours under a constant head of 1 meter, calculate its permeability.

   Hint

   Remember to consider the area over which the flow acts!

6. 6.

   Why might seepage cause failure in embankments or earth dams?

   Hint

   Think how excess water might affect the soil structure.