ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 3 January 2005
Page Count: 11

Estimating Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Fine-Grained Soils Using Electrical Resistivity Measurements

Sreedeep, S
Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai, Mumbai

Singh, DN
ProfessorMember, Indian Institute of TechnologyASTM International, Bombay, PowaiWest Conshohocken, MumbaiPA

(Received 10 March 2004; accepted 1 September 2004)

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology that can be used for easily and rapidly estimating unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of fine-grained soils. The basis of this methodology is that the flow of fluid through a porous media is analogous to the flow of a current through a medium subjected to the electrical potential. Hence, soil hydraulic conductivity can be determined by knowing the soil's electrical resistivity corresponding to different states of compaction. However, as hydraulic conductivity of the soil depends on the suction, which in turn depends on the water content and composition, electrical resistivity can be related to hydraulic conductivity. To demonstrate the usefulness of this methodology, data of two very well characterized fine-grained soils have been used.

Keywords:
fine-grained soils, electrical resistivity, suction, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, estimation

Paper ID: JAI12823
DOI: 10.1520/JAI12823
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