1. What is Bulk Pore Velocity?

Bulk Pore Velocity is a measure of the speed of the water moving through the void spaces within a porous medium and is calculated using the Darcy's law for flow through porous media.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V_a \) — Bulk Pore Velocity (m/s)
• \( V \) — Apparent Velocity of Seepage (m/s)
• \( \eta \) — Porosity of Soil (unitless)

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual velocity of water moving through the pore spaces by dividing the apparent seepage velocity by the porosity of the soil.

3. Importance of Bulk Pore Velocity

Details: Bulk Pore Velocity is crucial in hydrogeology and soil mechanics for understanding groundwater flow, contaminant transport, and designing effective drainage systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Apparent Velocity of Seepage in m/s and Porosity of Soil as a unitless value between 0 and 1. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between apparent velocity and bulk pore velocity?
A: Apparent velocity is the velocity observed over a larger scale, while bulk pore velocity represents the actual speed of water moving through the pore spaces.

Q2: How does porosity affect bulk pore velocity?
A: Higher porosity results in lower bulk pore velocity for the same apparent velocity, as the water has more space to flow through.

Q3: What are typical porosity values for different soil types?
A: Sand: 0.25-0.50, Silt: 0.35-0.50, Clay: 0.40-0.70, Gravel: 0.20-0.40.

Q4: Can bulk pore velocity be greater than apparent velocity?
A: Yes, since bulk pore velocity = apparent velocity / porosity, and porosity is always less than 1, bulk pore velocity is always greater than apparent velocity.

Q5: What units are used for bulk pore velocity?
A: Bulk pore velocity is typically measured in meters per second (m/s) in the SI system.