Flow Characteristics through Saturated Soil: Experimental Study

Abstract

The flow characteristics through saturated soil is complex. For low heads, the flow is essentially linear, where Darcy’s law is applicable. For higher head, the flow is nonlinear and mathematically identified as Forchheimer’s flow. The critical flow velocity for this transition and the relevant Reynold’s number depends upon several factors, including soil and fluid characteristics. In this paper, an experimental investigation has been carried out by means of falling head permeameter with locally available soft soil sample. A critical analysis and interpretations of the test results to identify the linear and nonlinear flow characteristics have been performed and important conclusions are drawn therefrom.