Abstract
The saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil is the main parameter for modeling the water flow through the soil and determination of seepage losses. In addition, hydraulic conductivity of compacted soil layers is critical component for designing liner and cover systems for waste landfills. Hydraulic conductivity can be predicted using empirical relationships, capillary models, statistical models and hydraulic radius theories [1]. In the current research work the reliability of Kozeny-Carman equation for the determination of the hydraulic conductivity of compacted clayey soils, is evaluated. The relationship between the liquid limit and the specific surface of the tested samples is also investigated. The resulting equation gives the ability for quick estimation of specific surface and hydraulic conductivity of the compacted clayey samples. The results presented here show that the Kozeny-Carman equation provides good predictions of the hydraulic conductivity of homogenized clayey soils compacted under given compactive effort, despite the consensus set out in the literature.
Highlights
As stated by Carrier [2], about a half-century ago Kozeny and Carman proposed the below expression for predicting the permeability of porous media:k 1 CK-C 1 So2 e3 1 e (1)where γ = unit weight of permeant, μ = viscosity of permeant; CK-C = Kozeny-Carman empirical coefficient; So = specific surface area per unit volume of particles (1/cm); and e = void ratio
The results presented here show that the Kozeny-Carman equation provides good predictions of the hydraulic conductivity of homogenized clayey soils compacted under given compactive effort, despite the consensus set out in the literature
Chapuis and Aubertin [1] expressed the formula (1) as follows: log kpredicted where k is in m/s, S is the specific surface of the soil in m2/kg, DR is the specific weight of grains, e the void ratio, and A is equal to 0.29 - 0.51 to the shape and tortuosity of channels developed in the porous media
Summary
As stated by Carrier [2], about a half-century ago Kozeny and Carman proposed the below expression for predicting the permeability of porous media:. Chapuis and Aubertin [1] stated that for plastic - cohesive soils, the specific surface can be estimated from the liquid limit (LL), obtained by standard Casagrande’s method. They suggested that the estimation of the specific surface can be based on the linear correlation between (1/S) and (1/LL), that is expressed by the equation:. There is a large consensus in the geotechnical literature that the hydraulic conductivity of compacted clays (clay liners and covers) cannot be well predicted by the Kozeny-Carman equation [1]. Measured hydraulic conductivities and those predicted using the Kozeny-Carman’s equation. The relatively thorough evaluation was performed using sand-kaolin mixtures, compacted 2% wet of optimum moisture content, in order to obtain the lower hydraulic conductivity [6,7]
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