THE INFLUENCE OF VARYING COMPOSITION OF SOIL SAMPLES ON WATER FLOW RATE (2MM SHARP SAND 1MM MEDIUM SAND)

Abstract

Two different soil samples (sharp and medium) sand of (100% sharp to 0% medium) and (0% sharp to 100% medium) sand were used for this research work and gotten from a sand dredging site at Amassoma community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. These soil samples were heated differently in an oven to a temperature of 120oc to remove moisture and allowed to cool to room temperature of 30oc. The soil samples were sieved with suitable sieves of about 1mm for medium sand and 2mm for sharp sand respective. Mixtures were then grouped into seven (7) groups with different percentages by weight in this order (100% sharp to 0% medium), (80% sharp to 20% medium) down to (0% sharp to 100% medium). Each soil samples were poured into a transparent P.V.C. pipe with a sieve attached at the bottom of the pipe. 800ml of water was allowed to flow through these soil samples and the time of first drop was timed (Tf), using a stop watch. Volume of water received (Vrc) and volume of water retained (Vrd) were determined using a measuring cylinder. Also, the average flow rate (Uav) was obtained. The results from this experimental work shows that water flows through different soil samples at different flow rate as indicated in (fig.1 to fig.7.). Figure 2 shows an increase in volume of water with respect to time. As the percentage of medium sand increases (thereby leading to a decrease in the pore spaces), the volume of water retained and time of first drop increased as well as shown in (fig.3 to fig.7). Figure 8 shows an Histogram indicating a marginal difference between the flow rate in the dry and wet soil samples. The marginal difference between the wet and dry curve is most significant at the percentage composition of sample (60% sharp and 40% medium sand).