Hydraulic conductivity of three compacted reddish brown tropical soils

Abstract

In developing countries groundwater is used for drinking and other beneficial purposes. However, its purity and quality is compromised because of the way waste is disposed. Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity of three reddish brown tropical soils (labeled MP1-MP3) compacted at −2, 0, 2 and 4% of optimum moisture content using four compactive energy levels namely Reduced Proctor (RP), Standard Proctor (SP), West African Standard (WAS) and Modified Proctor (MP) and then permeated in compaction mould permeameter under falling head condition. Hydraulic conductivity values approached 1 × 10−7 cm/s at optimum molding water contents and up to 4% wet of optimum. This was achieved when the dry unit weight was greater or equal to 6.10 kN/m2 at initial degree of saturation of 84% and compactive effort which should not be lower than SP. The results obtained compare favorably well with existing literature database for hydraulic structures, thus showing the suitability of the material for waste containment application.