Hydraulic Characterization of Permeable Materials Used for Filling Mole Drain Channels in Structurally Unstable Soils

Abstract

Highlights Permeable materials can be used to fill mole drains and provide support to the cavity walls in structurally unstable soils. Permeable materials extend the lifespan and improve the hydraulic performance of mole drainage systems. Darcy’s law for nonlinear porous flow explained the hydraulic performance of the permeable materials used in this study. A numerical method was established to assess the suitability of permeable materials of unknown hydraulic performance. Design guidelines were developed to assist in the planning of filled mole drainage systems installed in structurally unstable soils. Abstract. Mole drainage in soils with low permeability is a cost-effective technique for managing soil drainage. Following installation, the satisfactory performance of the system will depend on having sufficient soil fissure development extending from the soil surface to the roof of the mole channel and mole channel stability to avoid its collapse. Permeable materials such as river-run gravel and crushed stone can be used to fill mole channels to prevent channel collapse in halomorphic and high-silt content (e.g., 50%–70%) soils and extend the lifespan of the system. The objectives of this work were to: (i) characterize a range of permeable materials that can be used to fill mole drains and provide support to the cavity walls in structurally unstable soils; (ii) verify the applicability of Darcy’s law to explain the hydraulic performance of such materials, and (iii) develop a set of design and planning guidelines aimed at improving the performance of mole drainage systems that are filled with permeable materials. Five permeable materials were characterized, namely: three types of river-run gravels, crushed baked mud bricks, and crushed stone. The materials were characterized for their mechanical and hydraulic properties, and the applicability of Darcy’s law was experimentally determined. Small- and medium-sized gravels are easy to handle and apply during field installation due to their shape and flowability properties and the reduced risk of clogging when placed in the mole channel. However, the hydraulic performance of these materials would not allow for system designs longer than about 100 m, which therefore would limit their utilization in practice. Large-sized gravel offered an intermediate solution with overall satisfactory hydraulic performance. Crushed brick and crushed stone offered good alternatives to gravel, allowing for longer (e.g., >120 m) system designs for all combinations of drain spacing and drain gradient. However, their angularity, poor uniformity, and size range distribution can compromise the efficiency of handling and delivery in current mole plough systems. For all materials, the hydraulic conductivity (Kh) decreased with an increase in the hydraulic gradient. For a given hydraulic gradient, Kh was dependent on aggregate size, such that a larger D50 value led to increased Kh. The nonlinear performance of Darcy’s law was verified for all materials, and potential equations were fitted to represent such relationships, all showing acceptable fits to the nonlinear models (P<0.001). A linear relationship (P<0.05) between the parameter m of the potential model and total porosity was established. The set of equations developed by this study will enable estimating Kh based on the aggregate size distribution or as a function of the total porosity of the material. Crushed brick and crushed stone could provide a cost-effective solution for the installation of filled mole drain systems in structurally unstable soils. Keywords: Darcy’s law, Extreme rainfall, Halomorphic soils, Hydraulic conductivity, Reynolds number, Silty soils.