Experimental study on hydraulic conductivity and resistance in silty sediments

Abstract

Hydraulic conductivity k as a function of void ratio e and particle diameter for silty sediment was experimentally investigated, and an empirical formula for the estimation of hydraulic conductivity was proposed. Seepage resistance for flow in silty sediment was deliberated. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that hydraulic conductivity k could be expressed as an exponential function of void ratio e and median particle diameter d50 {3.1 µm < d50 < 87 µm and 0.26 < e < 4}. It was further found that the formula of seepage resistance factor (λ), a form of friction factor, varies linearly with Reynolds number (Re ) for silty sediments. A family of such λ-Re curves for various particle diameter d50 is presented.