1.2. Total Head Components

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define elevation head.

   Hint

   Think about how high something is compared to a baseline level.

2. 2.

   What does pressure head measure?

   Hint

   Consider what pressure is exerted by a column of water.

3. 3.

   What is total head comprised of?

   • Elevation Head
   • Pressure Head
   • Only Velocity Head
   • Elevation Head
   • Velocity Head

   Hint

   Think of what gives water its potential energy.

4. 4.

   True or False: The velocity head is always a significant component of total head in soils.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider velocity's effect on flow through pores.

5. 5.

   A soil sample has an elevation head of 3 m and pressure head of 1.5 m. Calculate the total head. If the soil's permeability is 5 cm/s and the hydraulic gradient is 0.1, what is the flow velocity?

   Hint

   Calculate total head first, then apply Darcy’s law for flow velocity.

6. 6.

   If a point in a soil body has a pressure head of 2 m, and the elevation head is 4 m, how does this influence the total head and subsequent water flow when comparing two different soil types with varying permeabilities?

   Hint

   Think about how total head conditions would influence water movement through soil.