Evaluation of hydraulic conductivity based on grain size distribution parameters using power function model

Abstract

Hydraulic conductivity is a parameter dictating groundwater recharge, having dependability on factors related to aquifer properties such as particle size, shape, degree of compaction, grain size distribution and fluid flow properties like viscosity and specific weight. The present study is focused on the effect of the grain size distribution of the particles of the aquifer material on its permeability. In order to investigate variation of permeability with respect to the grain size distribution, experimental investigations are conducted on natural borehole samples and those prepared by mixing borehole samples with known quantities of marble chips within a laminar flow regime. A power function model is developed for the estimation of permeability based on grain size distribution parameters σ (standard deviation) and D 50 (median grain size). The results from the developed model show good agreement with experimental data as the values of R 2 , RMSE and MAE for the model are (0.99, 0.007, 0.005) for 5.08 cm dia., (0.99, 0.005, 0.004) for 10.16 cm dia. and (0.97, 0.004, 0.003) for 15.24 cm dia. permeameters respectively. The developed power function model provides an efficient tool to estimate the yield of wells, seepage below earthen structures and design of filters with reasonable accuracy.