An assessment of selected factors which influence the hydraulic conductivity of fine-grained soils

Author

Steven Michael Bruer

Abstract

"The in-situ hydraulic conductivity of a compacted soil liner has historically been predicted using laboratory testing methods. The most widely accepted laboratory method for measuring hydraulic conductivity of fine-grained soils is the flexible-wall triaxial cell permeameter method standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as ASTM D 5084-90.

Factors which influence the laboratory measurement of hydraulic conductivity include method of sample preparation, molding water content, degree of saturation, sample dimensions, type of permeameter, hydraulic gradient, effective stress at outflow end of sample, type of permeant, and growth of microoganisms.

Twelve flexible-wall triaxial cell permeameter hydraulic conductivity tests were conducted in general accordance with Method C of ASTM D 5084-90 on an artificial clayey silt (ML) to evaluate the influence of sample length, hydraulic gradient, and test duration. The test results show that 1) relatively long samples exhibit lower hydraulic conductivities than shorter samples, 2) for a given sample length, hydraulic gradient has little to no influence for gradients up to 200, and 3) after approximately one pore volume has passed through the sample, test duration up to approximately six pore volumes of flow shows little influence"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Stephenson, Richard Wesley

Committee Member(s)

Lentz, Rodney
Cawlfield, Jeffrey D.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Fall 1994

Pagination

ix, 38 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-37).

Rights

© 1994 Steven Michael Bruer, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Soils -- Testing
Soil permeability -- Testing
Soil moisture

Thesis Number

T 6853

Print OCLC #

32770339

Electronic OCLC #

961478920

Link to Catalog Record

Electronic access to the full-text of this document is restricted to Missouri S&T users. Otherwise, request this publication directly from Missouri S&T Library or contact your local library.

Recommended Citation

Bruer, Steven Michael, "An assessment of selected factors which influence the hydraulic conductivity of fine-grained soils" (1994). Masters Theses. 1375.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/1375