Pavements & Structures TEST METHOD WA 335.

FIELD PERMEABILITY TEST: MODIFIED METHOD

SCOPE

This method describes the procedure for the field determination of the modified permeability
of a soil. The test enables rapid comparisons of rates of moisture infiltration through soil
types or soil horizons. (Note a).

APPARATUS

1. Surface permeameter consisting of the following units: (Fig 1).

1.1 Perspex base, graduated cylindrical reservoir, rubber stopper.

1.2 Steel surcharge ring.

1.3 Rubber sealing ring.

1.4 Plastic inner ring.

1.5 Small rubber bung.

2. Bentonite paste (Note b).

3. Fast flow filter papers.

4. Stop-watch.

PROCEDURE

1. Test Preparation

1.1 Obtain a test site in accordance with Test Method WA 100.1 (Note c).

1.2 Place sufficient bentonite paste onto the bottom of the rubber ring to ensure a good
seal.

1.3 Place the rubber ring with the bentonite paste on the test site.

1.4 Insert the plastic inner ring into the rubber ring and using the steel surcharge ring
apply pressure on to the top of the rubber ring.

1.5 Remove the excess bentonite and the inner plastic ring from inside the rubber ring and
lift off the steel surcharge ring (Note d).

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1.6 Place the small rubber bung into the air inlet hole of the perspex base and invert the
permeameter.

1.7 Fill the reservoir with water up to the top of the perspex base.

1.8 Place a filter paper on top of the reservoir tube (Note e).

1.9 Invert the water filled permeameter and carefully place it on top of the rubber ring
making certain it is seated properly (Note f).

1.10 Place the steel surcharge ring around the cylindrical reservoir and seat it on top of the
perspex base.

2. Testing

2.1 Remove the rubber bung from the air inlet hole in the perspex base to begin the test.

2.2 Take an initial reading of the water level and simultaneously start the stop watch as
soon as the turbulence ceases and a reading can be determined.

2.3 Take water level readings at suitable time intervals (Note g).

2.4 Check for leaks between the sealing ring and the soil surface. If leaks are present
discontinue the test (Note h).

2.5 Continue the test until a steady state infiltration rate is obtained (Note i).

CALCULATIONS

1. Determination of modified permeability.

1.1 Determine the cumulative flow (V) (Note j) of water into the soil after each elapsed
time by subtracting the water level readings from the initial water level reading.
Tabulate cumulative flow against the elapsed time.

1.2 Multiply (V) by the calibration factor (CF) (Note k) to convert the cumulative flow to
cubic metres (Q).

1.3 Determine the cumulative infiltration (I) after each elapsed time by dividing the
cumulative flow (Q) by the area of the base using the following formula:

Q
I =
π r2

where I = Cumulative infiltration in metres

Q = Cumulative flow in cubic metres
r = The inside radius of the base of the permeameter in metres.

1.4 Graph cumulative infiltration rate in metres (I) versus time in seconds (t).
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Determine the modified permeability (Kmod) as the slope (change in I divided

by the change in t) for the linear portion of the graph.

REPORTING

1. Report the modified permeability (ms-1).

2. The following information may also be reported.

2.1 Identification and description of the sample site.

2.2 Location of the sample site.

2.3 Proposed use of material tested.

2.4 Depth of test site.

2.5 Date test performed.

NOTES

(a) Refer to the Field Permeability Test Method WA 335.1 for the description of determining a
permeability of a soil including sorptivity.

(b) 140gms of dry bentonite powder per litre of water has been proven to produce a suitable bentonite paste
consistency.

(c) The site should be as level and as even as possible to prevent problems with water leaking past the
rubber sealing ring.

(d) Care should be taken that the surface to be tested does not become contaminated with bentonite.

(e) The diameter of the filter paper should be slightly larger than that of the reservoir tube.

(f) Atmospheric pressure acting on the filter paper prevents loss of water when the tube is inverted.

(g) The time interval between readings is dependent on soil type.

The following may be used as a guide:

10 - 30 seconds for sands

1 - 5 minutes for gravels
5 - 30 minutes for clays

(h) In some instances leaks can be stopped by applying more bentonite around the rubber sealing ring. If
this fails a new test site is required.

(i) The progress of the test should be monitored by plotting the readings against time. The test is
terminated when a straight line is obtained.

(j) The cumulative flow is the total quantity of water (in cylinder graduations) that has flowed into the soil
at any given time.

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(k) The calibration factor is determined by calibrating the cylindrical reservoir. A known mass of water is
poured into the reservoir and the column of water is measured by the graduations on the reservoir. The
mass of water is divided by the number of graduations and converted to cubic metres to give the
calibration factor (CF).

FIGURE 1
SURFACE PERMEAMETER

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