Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
TD4: Ecoulement sous terrain
(Underground flow)
1. A constant head permeability test was conducted, and the following data were obtained. Compute the
coefficient of permeability: L = 15 cm, D (sample diameter) = 7.2 cm, Δh = 30 cm , Q = 32.5 cm3
for a time period of 10 s.
Solution
1. Compute the coefficient of permeability
We have q＝v ⋅ A
Δh
Darcy's law: v＝k ⋅ i and i ＝ ――
L
Δh
Then q ＝ k ⋅ i ⋅ A ＝ k ⋅ ―― A
L
q⋅L Q
So, k ＝ ――― for q ＝ ―
Δh ⋅ A t
Q⋅L
Then k ＝ ―――
Δh ⋅ A ⋅ t
Since L ≔ 15 cm = 0.15 m Δh ≔ 30 cm = 0.3 m Q ≔ 32.5 cm 3 = 0.0000325 m 3 t ≔ 10 s
π ⋅ D2
D ≔ 7.2 cm = 0.072 m then A ≔ ――― = 0.004072 m 2
4
Q⋅L m
So, k ≔ ―――= 0.000399 ―
Δh ⋅ A ⋅ t s
m
Therefore, the coefficient of permeability of this soil is k = 0.000399 ―
s
2. A variable head permeability test was conducted, and the following data were obtained. Compute the
coefficient of permeability: L = 15 cm, D (sample diameter) = 7.2 cm, Δh1 (at t = 0) = 36.0 cm,
Δh2 (at t = 4 min) = 28.3 cm, d (burette diameter) = 1.2 cm. Mr. 46
Solution
2. Compute the coefficient of permeability
Formula ⎛ Δh1 ⎞
a⋅L
k ＝ ―――― ⋅ ln ⎜―― ⎟
A ⎛⎝t2 - t1⎞⎠ ⎝ Δh2 ⎠
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 1 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
Since L ≔ 15 cm D ≔ 7.2 cm d ≔ 1.2 cm
t1 ≔ 0 s Δh1 ≔ 36 cm
t2 ≔ 4 min = 240 s Δh2 ≔ 28.3 cm
D2 π ⋅ d2
A ≔ π ⋅ ―― = 40.715 cm 2 a ≔ ――= 1.131 cm 2
4 4
a⋅L ⎛ Δh1 ⎞ -6 m
Then k ≔ ―――― ⋅ ln ⎜―― ⎟ = ⎛⎝4.18 ⋅ 10 ⎞⎠ ―
A ⋅ ⎛⎝t2 - t1⎞⎠ ⎝ Δh2 ⎠ s
m
Therefore, the coefficient of permeability of this soil is k = ⎛⎝4.18 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ―
s
3. A field well test was conducted for an unconfined permeable layer underlain by an impervious layer;
the following data were obtained. Determine the coefficient of permeability from this field test:
r1 = 3.2 m, r2 = 6.0 m, h1 = 6.24 m, h2 = 7.12 m, q = 12500 cm3/min.
Solution
3. Compute the coefficient of permeability
q ⎛ r2 ⎞
Formula k ＝ ――――― ⋅ ln ⎜―⎟
π ⋅ ⎛⎝h2 2 - h1 2 ⎞⎠ ⎝ r1 ⎠
Since r1 ≔ 3.2 m r2 ≔ 6 m
h1 ≔ 6.24 m h2 ≔ 7.12 m
3
cm
q ≔ 12500 ――
min
q ⎛ r1 ⎞ m
Then k ≔ ――――― ⋅ ln ⎜― ⎟ = ⎛⎝3.55 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ―
π ⋅ ⎛⎝h1 2 - h2 2 ⎞⎠ ⎝ r2 ⎠ s
m
Therefore, the coefficient of permeability of this soil is k = ⎛⎝3.55 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ―
s
4. A pumping test was carried out to determine the average hydraulic conductivity of a sand deposit
20 m thick overlying impermeable clay. The discharge from the pumping well was 10 x 10-3 m3/s.
Drawdowns in the observation wells located 15 m and 30 m from the centerline of the pumping well
were 2.1 m and 1.6 m, respectively. Groundwater table was reached at 3.2 m below the ground surface.
Determine the hydraulic conductivity of the sand. Estimate the effective grain size using Hazen’s
equation.
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 2 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
Solution
4. Determine the hydraulic conductivity of the sand. Estimate the effective grain size using Hazen’s equation.
q ⎛ r1 ⎞
k ＝ ―――――― ⋅ ln ⎜―⎟
2 ⋅ π ⋅ H ⋅ ⎛⎝h1 - h2⎞⎠ ⎝ r2 ⎠
m3
Since q ≔ 10 -2 ――
s
r1 ≔ 30 m r2 ≔ 15 m
h1 ≔ 3.2 m - 1.6 m = 1.6 m
h2 ≔ 3.2 m - 2.1 m = 1.1 m
H ≔ 20 m
q ⎛ r1 ⎞
Then k ≔ ―――――― ⋅ ln ⎜―⎟
2 ⋅ π ⋅ H ⋅ ⎛⎝h1 - h2⎞⎠ ⎝ r2 ⎠
m
k = ⎛⎝1.103 ⋅ 10 -4⎞⎠ ―
s
m
Therefore, the coefficient of permeability of this soil is k = ⎛⎝1.103 ⋅ 10 -4⎞⎠ ―
s
5. For a given sheet pile driven into a permeable soil layer underlain by an impermeable clay layer,
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
(b) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 6, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 3 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
Solution
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
flow line
equipotential line
base on the flow line and equipotential Nf ≔ 3 and Nd ≔ 6.14
line Nf a
We have qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――⋅― ((a ＝ b))
Nd b
Nf
then qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――
Nd
cm
Since k ≔ 0.0035 ――
s
Δh ≔ 3.5 m
2
Nf -6⎞ m
So, qA ≔ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ―― ⎛
= ⎝59.85 ⋅ 10 ⎠ ―― For l≔1 m
Nd s
3
m
then qV ≔ qA ⋅ l = ⎛⎝59.85 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
m3
Therefore, the flow rate around the sheet pile is qV = ⎛⎝59.85 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
+ Determine poor pressure and the point A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J on the sheet pile
Note
Δh ＝ 3.5 m Nd ＝ 6.14
Δh
ht ＝ ht_before - i ⋅ ――
Nd
i ＝ 1 , 2 ‥ 6.14
hp ＝ ht - hz
u ＝ ρ w ⋅ g ⋅ hp ＝ γ w ⋅ hp
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 4 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
(b) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 6, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
flow line
equipotential line
base on the flow line and equipotential Nf ≔ 6 and Nd ≔ 12
line Nf a
We have qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――⋅― ((a ＝ b))
Nd b
Nf
then qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――
Nd
cm
Since k ≔ 0.0035 ――
s
Δh ≔ 3.5 m
Nf m2
= ⎛⎝61.25 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
So, qA ≔ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ―― For l≔1 m
Nd s
m3
then qV ≔ qA ⋅ l = ⎛⎝61.25 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
m3
Therefore, the flow rate around the sheet pile is qV = ⎛⎝61.25 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
+ Determine poor pressure and the point A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J on the sheet pile
Note
Δh ＝ 3.5 m Nd ＝ 12
Δh
ht ＝ ht_before - i ⋅ ――
Nd
i ＝ 1 , 2 ‥ 6.14
hp ＝ ht - hz
u ＝ ρ w ⋅ g ⋅ hp ＝ γ w ⋅ hp
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 5 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
6. In the Problem 5 above, make the depth of the sheet pile Hs to 7.5 m and redraw the figure in a
correct scale:
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3. Then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
Solution
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
base on the flow line and equipotential Nf ≔ 3 and Nd ≔ 9
line Nf a
We have qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――⋅― ((a ＝ b))
Nd b
Nf
then qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――
Nd
cm
Since k ≔ 0.0035 ――
s
Δh ≔ 3.5 m
Nf m2
= ⎛⎝40.83 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
So, qA ≔ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ―― For l≔1 m
Nd s
m3
then qV ≔ qA ⋅ l = ⎛⎝40.83 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
m3
Therefore, the flow rate around the sheet pile is qV = ⎛⎝40.83 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
+ Determine poor pressure and the point A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J on the sheet pile
Note Δh ＝ 3.5 m
Δh
ht ＝ ht_before - i ⋅ ―― i ＝ 1 , 2 ‥ 6.14
Nd
hp ＝ ht - h z
u ＝ ρ w ⋅ g ⋅ hp ＝ γ w ⋅ h p
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 6 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
7. For a given dam in the following figure,
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3. Then compute the flow rate q under the dam.
(b) Compute the water pressures at the heel (A) and toe (B) sections of the base of the dam based
on the drawn flow net.
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 7 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
Solution
7.(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
base on the flow line and equipotential line Nf ≔ 3 and Nd ≔ 13
Nf a
We have qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――⋅― ((a ＝ b))
Nd b
Nf
then qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――
Nd
cm
Since k ≔ 0.0035 ――
s
Δh ≔ 17 m - 12 m = 5 m
Nf m2
= ⎛⎝40.38 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ―― For
So, qA ≔ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ―― l≔1 m
Nd s
m3
then qV ≔ qA ⋅ l = ⎛⎝40.38 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
m3
Therefore, the flow rate around the sheet pile is qV = ⎛⎝40.38 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
(b) Compute the water pressures at the heel (A) and toe (B) sections of the base of the dam based
on the drawn flow net.
Δh
Formula ui ＝ γw ⋅ hpi since hpi ＝ hti - hzi and hti ＝ ht - n ⋅ ――
Nd
⎛ Δh ⎞
then ui ＝ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzi⎟
⎝ Nd ⎠
kN Δh
Since γw ≔ 9.81 ―― ht ≔ 17 m ―― = 0.385 m
m3 Nd
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 8 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
y at the point A : n≔1 hzA ≔ 8 m
⎛ Δh ⎞ kN
Then uA ≔ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzA⎟ = 84.517 ――
⎝ Nd ⎠ m2
y at the point A : n ≔ 12 hzB ≔ 8 m
⎛ Δh ⎞ kN
Then uB ≔ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzB⎟ = 43.013 ――
⎝ Nd ⎠ m2
Therefore, the poor pressure at the point A and B are uA = 84.517 kPa and uB = 43.013 kPa
8. For the same dam and the same soil conditions as in Problem 7, a 4-meter-long vertical sheet pile is
added at the left end of the dam base:
(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3. Then compute the flow rate q under the dam.
(b) Compute the water pressures at the heel (A) and toe (B) sections of the base of the dam based on
the drawn flow net.
(c) Compute and plot the water pressure distribution against the upstream face of the dam from
z = 17.0 m to z = 4.0 m.
(d) Compute the resultant of the preceding pressures against the face of the dam, including the sheet
pile section.
(e) Compute and plot the uplift water pressure distribution along the base of the dam.
(f) Compute the resultant of the preceding pressures against the base of the dam.
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 9 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
Solution
8.(a) Draw the flow net by using Nf = 3, then compute the flow rate q around the sheet pile.
base on the flow line and equipotential line Nf ≔ 3 and Nd ≔ 15
Nf a
We have qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――⋅― ((a ＝ b))
Nd b
Nf
then qA ＝ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ――
Nd
cm
Since k ≔ 0.0035 ――
s
Δh ≔ 17 m - 12 m = 5 m
Nf m2
= ⎛⎝35 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
So, qA ≔ k ⋅ Δh ⋅ ―― For l≔1 m
Nd s
m3
then qV ≔ qA ⋅ l = ⎛⎝35 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
m3
Therefore, the flow rate around the sheet pile is qV = ⎛⎝35 ⋅ 10 -6⎞⎠ ――
s
(b) Compute the water pressures at the heel (A) and toe (B) sections of the base of the dam based
on the drawn flow net
Δh
Formula ui ＝ γw ⋅ hpi since hpi ＝ hti - hzi and hti ＝ ht - n ⋅ ――
Nd
⎛ Δh ⎞
then ui ＝ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzi⎟
⎝ Nd ⎠
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 10 HEAN THONA
Institute de Technologie du Cambodge TD3: Méchanique des Soil
kN Δh
Since γw ≔ 9.81 ―― ht ≔ 17 m ―― = 0.333 m
m3 Nd
y at the point A : n ≔ 0.75 hzA ≔ 8 m
⎛ Δh ⎞ kN
Then uA ≔ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzA⎟ = 85.838 ――
⎝ Nd ⎠ m2
y at the point A : n ≔ 13 hzB ≔ 8 m
⎛ Δh ⎞ kN
Then uB ≔ γw ⋅ ⎜ht - n ⋅ ―― - hzB⎟ = 45.78 ――
⎝ Nd ⎠ m2
Therefore, the poor pressure at the point A and B are uA = 85.838 kPa and uB = 45.78 kPa
(c) Compute and plot the water pressure distribution against the upstream face of the dam from
z = 17.0 m to z = 4.0 m.
Groupe: I4-GCI-A 11 HEAN THONA
