Influence of Gradation of Coarse-Grained Soil on the Permeability Coefficient

Abstract

A constant head permeability test of the coarse-grained soil of an earth-rockfill dam was carried out and the gradation of the tested soil was determined based on the continuous gradation equation. Based on the test results, an empirical formula of permeability coefficient considering the influence of gradation was established. The formula can be used to assess the influence of gradation on permeability coefficient with respect to the area under the gradation curve. The applicability of the formula was verified based on the results of the permeability test from other studies. It was found that the empirical formula of permeability coefficient based on gradation area was suitable for coarse-grained soil. This paper provides a new perspective for the study of permeation behavior of coarse-grained soil.