A Piezometer Method of Measuring Soil Permeability and Application of Permeability Data to a Drainage Problem James Nicholas Luthin Iowa State College

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Piezometer Method of Measuring Soil Permeability and Application of Permeability Data to a Drainage Problem James Nicholas Luthin Iowa State College Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1949 A piezometer method of measuring soil permeability and application of permeability data to a drainage problem James Nicholas Luthin Iowa State College Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Soil Science Commons Recommended Citation Luthin, James Nicholas, "A piezometer method of measuring soil permeability and application of permeability data to a drainage problem " (1949). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 14091. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/14091 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best copy available. UMI A PIEZOMETER METHOD OP MEASURIIG SOIL PKRMEABILITY AID APPLIGATIOI OF PERMEABILITY DATA TO A DRAIIAGfi PROBLEM by James Micholas LutMa A fliesis Submitted to the Graduate Paeiilty for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Ma^or Subject; Soils Approved; Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. Head of Major Department Signature was redacted for privacy. Dean of 'Graduate Ooliege Iowa State College 1949 UMI Number: DP13349 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform DP13349 Copyright 2005 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 S59f L317P -ii- fABLl OF COITEHTS Page I. IlfRODUCTIOI 1 II. RE?IEf OF LITSRAfURE 4 A. Darcy's Law 4 B. Equation of Flow 7 0. PerBieability Units 9 D. Methods of Measurement 10 1. Laboratory metliods 11 a. The disturbed sample 11 b. The undisturbed sample 11 2. Indirect methods . 12 3. Field methods 12 a. Unlined wells 12 b. Lined wells 13 e. tracers 14 S. Factors Affecting Soil Permeability 15 1. Entrapped air 15 2. Microorganisms 17 3. Salts 20 4. Temperature 20 F. Solution of Flow Problems 21 1. Analytical methods 21 a. Bapuit-Forchheimer theory 21 b. Kirkhaai-Gardnex approach . 25 2. Graphical methods of Dachler, Caaagrande, and Forehheiaer 26 3. The hodograph 27 4. Membrane analogue 28 5. llectrical analogue 29 lumerical methods 31 T "^0 40 -iii- Page III. THl PROBLIM 36 A. Piezometer Method for Measuring Soil PeriaeaMlity , . 36 1. Field procedure 36 2. Field tests . 40 3. Laboratory procedure ..... 45 4. Results of field tests .......... 50 5. Laboratory results 68 B. Application of Permeability Data to a Drainage Problea 73 1. Procedure 74 a. Draimage of soil with uniform perraeabillty ............. 77 b, Dralmge of soil with non-uniforw permeability 84 IV. GONGLUSIOIS AID SUMMAET 96 ¥. LITSIATURI OlfED 97 ¥1. ACIIOfLED^ffilT .103 -i¥- LIST OF TABLES xao. Page 1 Relation of Preesmre to Flow Through Glay- SeelhMai (60). 5 2 Field Test Data 51 3 Field Tftst Data 52 4 Field Test D®.ta 53 5 Field Test Bata 54 6 Field Test Data 56 7 Field Test Data 57 8 Field Test Data 59 9 Field Test Data 61 10 Field Test Data 62 11 Field Test Data 63 13 Results of luraerieal Analysis 94 -V- LIST OF FiaURlS Fig. Page 1 Illustrating Darcy*e Law. Gardner (38). 6 8 Changes in Peraieability of Soils During Long Submergence. Allison (l), 18 3 PermeaMlity-fime Curves for Hanford Loa® Under Prolonged Submergence. Allison (l). 18 4 Dupuit-Forchlieimer Theory of Soil Drainage. 24 5 Points on let 34 6 Relaxation Pattern. 34 7 Piezometer Method of Measurement of Permeability. 37 8 Installing the Piezometer. 37 9 Flushing out the Piezometer. 39 10 Applying Suction to the Piezometer. Upper Stopper is for a 2-lnch Piezometer. 39 11 Measuring Water Elevation with Reel-Type Electric Probe 44 12 Removing a l-inch Piezometer with Veihmeyer Soil Tube Jack. 44 13 Cirmiit for Location of Equipotential Surfaces. 47 frevert (27). 14 Circuit for Determination of A-function* Frevert (27) 47 15 Plot of Field Data to Show Linear Relationship Between In(d-y) and Time t. 48 16 Variatioa of A-funotion with Diameter of Cavity for a 4-inch Long Cavity (For Values of s and d See Text). 69 17 Variation of A-function with Length of Cavity for a 1-inch Diameter Cavity (For Values of s and d See Text). 69 -•ri- Fig. Page 18 fariation of A-fuactioii ?dth. s, for a Cavity 4- iaehes leag and l-iach in Maaeter. 71 19 Iqiiipotential Surfaces for a Piezometer Cavity. 71 20 Sxample of Mtbaiaim Proeedure, 75 21 Iquipoteatial Plots for Gase of iDralnag© of Uniform Soil. S©« Text for Details. 80 22 Point l€ar a Gurved Boundary. 81 23 Point on an Interface.- 86 24 Point at Upper Oorner. See Text. 89 25 Point at Lower Oorn®r, S@e Text. 89 26 Iquipottntial Plot for Drainage of a Two-layered Soil. 91 27 Icpipotential Plot for Drainage of a Two-layered Soil. 93 28 fiquipotential Garves for Drainage of a Two-layered Soil 93 I. IITROOTGTIOir It has long toe®n recognized that soil permeability is an iBEportant factor in land management, soil conservation and land drainage. Muoh work has been dxjne on methods of measuring soil permeability and various sehemes have been devised to apply the information to the design of drainage systems, dams and other engineering structures. In general, the measurement of soil permeability has con­ sisted of taking a sample of soil from the field into the labo­ ratory in either a disturbed or an undisturbed state, passing water through the sample, and determining its permeability by use of suitable equations. Such methods of permeability meas­ urement have been unsatisfactory for many reasons. Recently several faethods of determining soil permeability in the field have been proposed. In 1936 Hooghoudt augered out a hole in the soil below the water table and observed the rate of rise of water in the hole. By means of approxiLiate formu­ las he was able to calculate the soil permeability. Kirkham and Van Bavel pointed out certain defects in Hooghoudt's formu­ la and derived a more exact equation based on a solution of Laplace's equation. They tried out the method \?ith success on several Iowa soils. In 1945, Kirkham proposed a field method of measuring soil permeability x'yhich consisted of driving pipes into the -2- soil below a water table and meaiuring the outflow of water frotB the pipe® into the soil. This proposed method was tried out by Fre^ert and Kirfchaa, They found that it was necessary to remote the soil from the interior of the pipe and they also noted that a lauoh laore aecurate measure of the permeability was obtained by permitting the water to flow into the pipe from the soil rather than using the outward flow from the pipe into the soil. Because driving the pipes into the soil compresaed the soil, they had to use pipes of large diaaeter (8 inches). The depths to which the soil permeability could be measured were lifflited to 36 inches because of the equipment used, and special tools were needed to remove the pipes from the ground. the preceding field methods have in common certain ad­ vantages over any laboratory methods which have been proposed. First, the soil permeability is measured in situ; second, soil water is itself used for the measurement; and third, root holes, worm holes, and rocks have a negligible effect on the deter­ mination. There are, however, certain limitations to these field aethods. Both of them are limited to shallow depths below the soil surface and the auger hole method, as it gives a sort of average permeability over the length of the auger hole, will not Indicate the permeability of specific layers or horizons. To overcome the limitations of the above methods, a new procedure, utilizing pipes of small diameter (piezometers). -•o«» has been developed. Tiie method consists basically in measuring the ratt of flow into a canity at the base of an emptied pie- ^offleter. Advantages of the method are (l) the permeability can be measured to great depths, (2) the permeability of any layer in the soil can be measured, (3) the method is quick, acciirate and simple, fhe deirelop»ent of this method, \i^ich includes use of a three-dimensloiial electric analogue of the groundwater problem., constitutes two parts of t&ls thesis. Kirkhaa has solTed the problem of steady-state flow into tile drains in a uniform soil but there is no general solution that will handle all of the complex Tarlations found in natural soil. Similar types of problems are encountered in the fields of heat flow, electricity, and hydrodynamics and various in­ vestigators have developed numerical methods of obtaining ap­ proximate solutions to any desired degree of accuracy. Because of the similarity of these types of problems, it is evident that numerical method® qbm also be applied to problems of land drainage.
Recommended publications
  • Instrumentation for Monitoring Consolidation of Soft Soil 1
    ONE STOP MONITORING SOLUTIONS | HYDROLOGY | GEOTECHNICAL | STRUCTURAL | GEODETIC Over 50 years of excellence through ingenuity APPLICATION NOTE INSTRUMENTATION FOR MONITORING CONSOLIDATION OF SOFT SOIL 1. Introduction Considerable settlement may occur when constructing projects such as highway embankments, bridge approaches, dikes, dams, large storage areas, tanks, airport runways or buildings on soft compressible soil, due to the consolidation of soil under the superimposed load. To avoid serious and potentially expensive problems due to such settlement, it is desirable to cause the consolidation to occur at the outset of the project, and in the shortest possible time during construction period. Construction of a facility on top of a soft soil foundation will normally be delayed until there is assurance that it will not be damaged by settlement that occurs during subsequent consolidation. If the predicted delay is not acceptable, the time required for consolidation can be reduced by surcharging and/or by installation of vertical drains. 1.1 Consolidation In case a saturated soil experiences a steady pressure due to the weight of overlying soil or pre-loading from an embankment, its volume will decrease with time. Soil particles as well as the water in the voids being almost incompressible at the pressures encountered, any change in volume can only occur if the water between the voids is forced out. This reduces the size of the voids enabling the solid particles to become wedged closer together. The process is illustrated in figures 1.1 and 1.2 below: Im posed Stress h W a t e r Figure 1.1 Im posed Stress h W a t e r Figure 1.2 Surcharging (or pre-loading) involves placement of fill materials to a level higher than that required for the foundation or embankment, so that consolidation proceeds more quickly.
    [Show full text]
  • Piezometer Installation 2017
    Revision 2016-1-1 Copyright ©, 2016 by HMA Group. The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice. Contents 1. Introduction:................................................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Specifications: ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 3. Vibrating Wire Piezometer Operation .............................................................................................................. 5 4. Calibration and Interpreting Readings ............................................................................................................. 6 4.1 Electrical Connection ............................................................................................................................................. 6 4.2 Calibration Sheet Interpretation ...................................................................................................................... 7 4.3 Data Reduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.4 Pressure Head/Water Level Calculation ....................................................................................................... 9 4.5 Barometric Compensation .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Method 9100: Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Saturated Leachate
    METHOD 9100 SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY, SATURATED LEACHATE CONDUCTIVITY, AND INTRINSIC PERMEABILITY 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Scope and Application: This section presents methods available to hydrogeologists and and geotechnical engineers for determining the saturated hydraulic conductivity of earth materials and conductivity of soil liners to leachate, as outlined by the Part 264 permitting rules for hazardous-waste disposal facilities. In addition, a general technique to determine intrinsic permeability is provided. A cross reference between the applicable part of the RCRA Guidance Documents and associated Part 264 Standards and these test methods is provided by Table A. 1.1.1 Part 264 Subpart F establishes standards for ground water quality monitoring and environmental performance. To demonstrate compliance with these standards, a permit applicant must have knowledge of certain aspects of the hydrogeology at the disposal facility, such as hydraulic conductivity, in order to determine the compliance point and monitoring well locations and in order to develop remedial action plans when necessary. 1.1.2 In this report, the laboratory and field methods that are considered the most appropriate to meeting the requirements of Part 264 are given in sufficient detail to provide an experienced hydrogeologist or geotechnical engineer with the methodology required to conduct the tests. Additional laboratory and field methods that may be applicable under certain conditions are included by providing references to standard texts and scientific journals. 1.1.3 Included in this report are descriptions of field methods considered appropriate for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity by single well or borehole tests. The determination of hydraulic conductivity by pumping or injection tests is not included because the latter are considered appropriate for well field design purposes but may not be appropriate for economically evaluating hydraulic conductivity for the purposes set forth in Part 264 Subpart F.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Basic Concepts and Definitions
    2 Basic concepts and definitions This chapter summarises some basic concepts and definitions of terms rele- vant to the hydraulic properties of water-bearing layers and the discussions which follow. 2.1 Types of water-bearing layers Water-bearing layers are classified according to their water-transmitting properties into aquifers, aquitards or aquicludes. With regard to the flow to pumped wells the following definitions are commonly used. -An aquifer is a water-bearing layer in which the vertical flow component is so small with respect to the horizontal flow component that it can be neg- lected. The groundwater flow in an aquifer is assumed to be predominantly horizontal. -An aquitard is a water-bearing layer in which the horizontal flow compo- nent is so small with respect to the vertical flow component that it can be neglected. The groundwater flow in an aquitard is assumed to be predomi- nantly vertical. - An aquiclude is a water-bearing layer in which both the horizontal and ver- tical flow components are so small that they can be neglected. The ground- water flow in an aquiclude is assumed to be zero. Common aquifers are geological formations of unconsolidated sand and gravel, sandstone, limestone, and severely fractured volcanic and crystalline rocks. Examples of common aquitards are clays, shales, loam, and silt. 2.2 Aquifer types The four types of aquifer distinguished (Figure 2.1) are: confined, unconfined, leaky and multi-layered. A confined aquifer is a completely saturated aquifer bounded above and below by aquicludes. The pressure of the water in confined aquifers is usually higher than atmospheric pressure, which is why when a well is bored into the aquifer the water rises up the well tube, to a level higher than the aquifer (Figure 2.1.A).
    [Show full text]
  • Installing Monitoring Wells in Soils Version 1.0 August 2008
    Installing Monitoring Wells in Soils Version 1.0 August 2008 USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service National Soil Survey Center Lincoln, Nebraska Correct document citation: Sprecher, S.W. 2008. Installing monitoring wells in soils (Version 1.0). National Soil Survey Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, Lincoln, NE. Cover Figure: Schematic diagram of a standard design for an installed water-table monitoring well. Use of trade or firm names is for reader information only, and does not constitute endorsement or recommended use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any commercial product or service. The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (Voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250 or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. Acknowledgements This technical note is a compilation of concepts and procedures that have been evolving within pedology and Soil Survey for at least three decades. Few of the ideas presented originated with myself. It is an honor to recognize and thank my main teachers concerning these procedures, Lawson Smith (US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, deceased) and Jim Richardson (North Dakota State University and NRCS National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, retired).
    [Show full text]
  • Hvorslev (1951)
    TIME LAG AND SOIL PERMEABILITY IN GROUND-WATER OBSERVATIONS BULLETIN NO. 36 WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI TIME LAG AND SOIL PERMEABILITY IN GROUND-WATER OBSERVATIONS BULLETIN NO. 36 WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI APRIL 1951 ARMY - MRC VICKSBURG, MISS. 111 CONTENTS Page PREFACE . i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ii NOTATION. v INTRODUCTION . 1 PART I: GROUND-WATER CONDITIONS AND OBSERVATIONS Irregularities and Variations. 3 Sources of Error in Measurements. 3 Hydrostatic time lag. 4 Stress adjustment time lag. 4 General instrument errors. 4 Seepage along conduits . 4 Interface of liquids. .. 6 Gas bubbles in open systems . 6 Gas bubbles in closed systems . 6 Gas bubbles in soil. 7 Sedimentation and clogging. 7 Erosion and development. 7 Summary comments . 8 PART II: THEORY OF TIME LAG The Basic Hydrostatic Time Lag . 9 Applications for Constant Ground-Water Pressure. 10 Applications for Linearly Changing Pressures . 13 Applications for Sinusoidal Fluctuating Pressures. 16 Corrections for Influence of the Hydrostatic Time Lag. 19 Influence of the Stress Adjustment Time Lag . 21 Initial disturbance and stress changes . 22 Transient consolidation or swelling of soil . 23 Volume changes of gas in soil . 26 Normal operating conditions. 28 iv CONTENTS (Cont’d) Page PART III: DATA FOR PRACTICAL DETERMINATION AND USE OF TIME LAG Flow through Intakes and Well Points . 30 Influence of Anisotropic Permeability . 32 Computation of Time Lag for Design Purposes . 35 Examples of Field Observations and Their Evaluation . 38 Logan International Airport, Boston. 38 Vicinity of Vicksburg, Mississippi. 39 Determination of Permeability of Soil in Situ .
    [Show full text]
  • Geotechnical Bulletin
    Ohio Department of Transportation Division of Production Management Office of Geotechnical Engineering GB 4 Geotechnical Bulletin GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF GEOTECHNICAL INSTRUMENTATION May 30, 2008 Geotechnical Bulletin GB4 was developed by the Office of Geotechnical Engineering. This document is the first edition. This Geotechnical Bulletin is intended to provide information about the uses of the various different geotechnical instruments that are available so that designers will prescribe them whenever beneficial and so that construction personnel will utilize them properly. More specifically, this geotechnical bulletin is intended to offer guidance in terms of when exactly these instruments should be called for, which instruments should be prescribed, where to install them, how to read them and how to interpret and utilize the data. Geotechnical instruments can measure conditions in the subsurface and acquire data which can greatly aid not only the designer, but also the project engineer and the contractor. The designer benefits from this data which can help them pinpoint the problems in the subsurface and thereby design an appropriate and cost effective project. In terms of the construction of the project, although these instruments can get in the way of the heavy equipment, they provide data that is invaluable in terms of preventing a possible failure during or following construction as well as allowing the construction to proceed at the earliest possible date whenever waiting periods are necessary. Another important reason to use instrumentation is to monitor for any unsafe conditions and therefore to try to prevent an accident or injury. For example, monitoring a mine subsidence site may tell us at what point a highway facility is no longer safe and needs to be shut down.
    [Show full text]
  • Techniques of Backfiguring Consolidation Parameters from Field Data
    TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD 1277 71 Techniques of Backfiguring Consolidation Parameters from Field Data RICHARD p. LONG Methods of analyzing field consolidation data from areas with Field consolidation data must be analyzed by some theory. and without vertical drains are presented. All methods analyze The analytical procedures presented here are based on the field data independently of laboratory data. Settlement data from small strain theory of Terzaghi (1). The limitations of this areas having vertical drains can be analyzed by three different theory are well known, but it provides useful information techniques to yield values of the apparent coefficient of consol­ idation and the ultimate settlement for foundation clay. Analysis because, for most soft soils capable of supporting a fill, Ter­ of piezometer data yields values of apparent coefficient of con­ zaghi's theory is a good approximation. For the case of vertical solidation by a separate technique. Data from areas without drains drains, Barron's modification using equal strain consolidation can be analyzed for similar parameters. All methods involve the is used (2), rather than the direct extension of Terzaghi's use of Terzaghi's theory of consolidation or Barron's equal strain theory by free strain. theory for areas with vertical drains. These theories are appro­ Although the analysis process may be considered an autopsy priate for analysis of most clay deposits. The techniques are illus­ trated and results from their use on the consolidation of varved (3), progress in geotechnical engineering, as in medicine, clay beneath the approach fills of the Putnam Bridge are pre­ advances by the judicious use of the autopsy.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Results of Subsurface Exploration and Monitoring at the Johnson Creek Landslide, Lincoln County, Oregon
    Preliminary Results of Subsurface Exploration and Monitoring at the Johnson Creek Landslide, Lincoln County, Oregon Open-File Report 2007-1127 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Preliminary Results of Subsurface Exploration and Monitoring at the Johnson Creek Landslide, Lincoln County, Oregon By William H. Schulz and William L. Ellis Open-File Report 2007-1127 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2007 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Schulz, W.H., and Ellis, W.L., 2007, Preliminary results of subsurface exploration and monitoring at the Johnson Creek landslide, Lincoln County, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1127, 11 p., 1 appendix. iii Contents Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Landslides and Slope Stability
    _ LANDSLIDES AND SLOPE STABILITY APPLICATION NOTES _EN_05_02/2016 _EN_05_02/2016 LANDSLIDES LANDSLIDES AND SLOPE STABILITY _EN_05_02/2016 “The term “landslide” describes a wide variety of processes that result in the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials including rock, soil, artificial fill, or a combination of these.” (USGS, 2004). LANDSLIDE A change in the stability of a slope can be caused by a number of factors, acting together or alone, natural (groundwater pressure, toe erosion, earthquake, etc...) or occurring with human activities (blasting, excavations, constructions, etc...) Instrumentation in landslides usually monitors not only the body of the landslide, but also the buildings in the area, the protective structures, the weather parameters and, if needed, seismic parameters. LANDSLIDE TYPES AIMS • Rotational landslide • Landslide early warning system (EWS) • Translational landslide • Monitoring of buildings • Lateral slide in or nearby landslide areas • Rockfall • Railway and road safety • Topple • Monitoring performance • Debris flow of protective structures www.sisgeo.com LANDSLIDE AND SLOPES STABILITY 2 EXAMPLE OF ROTATIONAL LANDSLIDE MONITORING _EN_05_02/2016 _EN_05_02/2016 INSTRUMENT PURPOSE Wire crackmeter Monitoring of cracks in rock masses or ground displacement LANDSLIDES Vented pressure transducer Measurement of water level in standpipe piezometer Digital MEMS in-place Monitoring of deep lateral movements inclinometers in sliding areas Standpipe piezometer Utilized to measure water table with water
    [Show full text]
  • Measurement of Groundwater Table & Pore Water Pressure in Deep
    KMS / TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL NOTE 008 Measurement of Groundwater Table & Pore Water Pressure In Deep Excavations · We excel through experience and learning · Version 02, Jul 2013 Keywords blockage at the outlet. This will lead to a build-up of water Perforated standpipe, standpipe piezometer, groundwater table, pressure, and the water head H2 will become higher than the groundwater movement, excess pore water pressure, hydrostatic head. hydraulic instability Now that if a manometer is placed inside a water tank (with an orifice), the following scenarios can be observed. Synopsis In deep excavations, it is imperative to understand the (i) (iii) (ii) effectiveness of water cut-off provided by the cofferdam walls and/or toe grouting, and also the groundwater movement and pore water pressure both inside and outside the cofferdam. The latter is of particular importance because the build-up of excess pore water pressure on the passive side (excavation side) of the cofferdam walls could lead to hydraulic instability of the cofferdam owing to piping. Water flow 1.0 Introduction Prior to discussing the measurement of groundwater table, pore water pressure, and its relevance to deep excavation, it is perhaps useful to look at the following water In location (i), which is far from the orifice, the water flow flow scenarios and the respective water head measured by a velocity is relatively slow and water is in a near-static condition. manometer. The water level measured by the manometer will practically be the same as the water level in the tank. Whereas in location (ii), which is adjacent to the orifice, water flows at much higher (a) (b) (c) velocity.
    [Show full text]
  • Instrumentation Practice for Slope Monitoring
    Submitted for Publication in: "ENGINEERING GEOLOGY PRACTICE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA" Association of Engineering Geologists INSTRUMENTATION PRACTICE FOR SLOPE MONITORING William F. Kane President and Principal Engineer KANE GeoTech, Inc. P.O. Box 7526 Stockton, CA 95267-0526 Timothy J. Beck Associate Engineering Geologist California Department of Transportation Transportation Laboratory 5900 Folsom Boulevard P.O. Box 19128-0128 Sacramento, CA 95819 ABSTRACT Remote monitoring of slope movement using electronic instrumentation can be an effective approach for many unstable or potentially unstable slopes. Water levels can be observed using vibrating wire piezometers. Movements and deformation can be determined with electrolytic bubble “in-place” inclinometers and tiltmeters, extensometers, and time domain reflectometry (TDR). All of these instruments can be attached to a programmed on-site datalogger. The datalogger can collect readings at selected intervals and trigger an alarm or initiate a telephone message or page if pre-determined movement intervals are exceeded. These systems are self-contained using cellular telephone communications and batteries charged by solar panels. Case studies in Central and Northern California illustrate the use and flexibility of this technology in monitoring slope stability problems. INTRODUCTION Many options are available for monitoring unstable, and potentially unstable, slopes. These range from inexpensive, short-term solutions to more costly, long-term monitoring programs. The remote location of many unstable slopes has created a need for systems that can be accessed remotely and provide immediate warning in case of failure. Advances in electronic instrumentation and telecommunications now make it possible to monitor these slopes economically. Kane and Beck - 1/20 Slope stability and landslide monitoring involves selecting certain parameters and observing how they change with time.
    [Show full text]