Permeability measurement in porous media under unsaturated paths

Abstract

Understanding the flow through porous media when it is part of geotechnical-hydraulic structures has been a scenario calculated from the most unfavorable situation. The passage of water through the porous skeleton of the soil is considered in a saturated condition. Few studies to date consider partially saturated trajectories regarding the influence on the stability of a dam, reservoir, embankment, among others. Estimating the speed with which the fluid under analysis flows through a partially saturated media is challenging to perform by conventional methods. By contrast, nowadays, it is easy to obtain for saturated soil. This study aimed to measure hydraulic conductivity (coefficient of permeability) in granular soils using easily accessible laboratory techniques. The permeability in unsaturated conditions will be measured, varying the suction in the sample, which is an essential requirement when there is a situation of partial saturation. The results provided data on the permeability values that allow to obtain a very evident difference between both proposed conditions.