DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPACT PERMEAMETER TO MEASURE THE HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF CLAY LINERS BASED ON THE WATER CONTENT AND THE DRY UNIT WEIGHT OF THE COMPACTED CLAY

Abstract

The permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of clayliners depends on several interrelated factors. As a result, ithas been difficult to develop simple equations and/ormethods to determine the permeability of a soil, and for thismatter, clay. It is proposed to develop a compact instrument(permeameter) that will measure the coefficient ofpermeability of soil based on the water content and dry-unitweight of the soil. The water content and dry-unit weightwere selected using regression analysis on a data bank ofseveral soil properties, including water content, dry-unitweight and lab- measured hydraulic conductivity, publishedin a refereed journal. The proposed instrument will measurepermeability faster than the current methods and equipmentused in the lab or the field with equal consistency andaccuracy. As a compact permeameter, it will be moreadvantageous in the field because it will be easier to carry.Index Terms - clay liners, dry unit weight, hydraulicconductivity, permeability, water content.