SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1967
STP47259S

Hydraulic Properties of Disturbed and Undisturbed Soils

Source

A study was made to determine whether or not disturbed materials are suitable for modeling undisturbed porous media. One requirement for similitude between a model and prototype involving partially saturated flow is that the relationship between permeability and capillary pressure be similar. In the case of disturbed media, the relationship is usually represented by a straight line on a log-log plot for capillary pressures greater than the bubbling pressure. The requirement for similitude of media is satisfied if the slope is the same, provided the model is scaled in relation to the magnitude of the bubbling pressure. Apparently, a medium obtained by pulverizing the material at the site of the prototype usually would not be suitable for a model. Suitable disturbed materials are available, however, for modeling the undisturbed media studied to date. The relationship between permeability and capillary pressure for structured soils may not be adequately described by slopes of the function on a log-log plot alone. Further study is needed to determine the role of sample boundary effects for such materials. Unconsolidated sands usually are not suitable media for modeling structured soils, the pores of sands being more uniform in size.

Author Information

Laliberte, G., E.
Canada Agriculture Research Station, Lethbridge, Alberta, Can.
Corey, A., T.
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 56–71
DOI: 10.1520/STP47259S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-6933-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-6635-6