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The Coefficient of Permeability of soil describes how easily a liquid will move through the soil. It is a key parameter in hydrogeology and civil engineering for analyzing groundwater flow and seepage through porous media.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The coefficient of transmissibility represents the rate of flow through a vertical strip of the aquifer, and dividing it by the aquifer thickness gives the permeability coefficient.
Details: Accurate permeability calculation is crucial for designing drainage systems, analyzing groundwater flow, predicting contaminant transport, and designing foundations and earth structures.
Tips: Enter the coefficient of transmissibility in m²/s and aquifer thickness in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between permeability and transmissibility?
A: Permeability (k) is a property of the soil material itself, while transmissibility (T) is the product of permeability and aquifer thickness (T = k × b_w).
Q2: What are typical values for coefficient of permeability?
A: Permeability values range from 10⁻² m/s for gravel to 10⁻⁹ m/s for clay, spanning several orders of magnitude depending on soil type.
Q3: How is transmissibility measured in the field?
A: Transmissibility is typically determined through pumping tests where the response of water levels is measured over time.
Q4: Does aquifer thickness affect permeability calculations?
A: No, permeability is an intrinsic property of the soil material. The formula k = T/b_w is used to calculate permeability from transmissibility measurements.
Q5: What units are used for these parameters?
A: Standard SI units are m/s for permeability and m²/s for transmissibility, though other units may be used in different contexts.