Question No$.2$

$[15$ marks$]$

a$)$ What determines the Flow of water through a permeable medium like soils? What other characteristics of soils affect the rate of flow?

$[2]$

b$)$ In a soil test, it took $16\mathrm{.}0$ min for $1508c{m}^3$ of water to flow through a Sand sample, the cross$-$sectional area of which was $50\mathrm{.}3c{m}^2.$ The void ratio of the sample was $0\mathrm{.}68.$

Determine

The velocity of water through the soil.

$[2]$

The actual $($interstitial$)$ velocity$)$

$[3]$

c$)$ Draw a simplified diagram to illustrate how the permeability of a sample of granular soils is tested in the laboratory. Discuss the measurements that are taken and how they are used to determine the coefficient of permeability of the soil.

$[4]$

d$)$ Discuss the limitations and short comings associated with performing a laboratory permeability test compared to that of a field permeability test.

$[4]$