Sand and Clay Permeability Tests

This assignment focuses on investigating the permeability of sand-clay mixtures through laboratory testing using Constant Head and Falling Head methods. The research aims to determine how clay permeability is affected by different sand compositions. Conducted at a smaller scale, this university project emphasizes accuracy and adherence to established standards. Data analysis will be followed by discussion of results and conclusions.

THE EFFECT ON CLAY PERMEABILITY ON
ADDITION OF SAND.
NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
1.1 Overview of the study............................................................................................................3
1.2 Rational of the study...............................................................................................................4
1.3 Research aim and objectives..................................................................................................4
1.4 Research Limitations..............................................................................................................5
1.5 Scope of Research..................................................................................................................5
1.6 Outline of Dissertation...........................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................7
Page 1 of 7

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview of the study
Clay perviousness is said to be dependent on list of factors including addition of sand.
The research proposed herewith emphasizes on evaluating the quality parameters of clay. The
research work emphasizes on identifying if the sand act as an additive substance for determining
permeability of clay. It is through in-depth research that the researcher strives to identify whether
sand helps in stabilizing the swelling clay soils.
Sand are the particles ranging in sizes of 2mm - 0.02mm basically shaped due to the
weathering of rocks parts of tremor. Sand has small surface areas and does not hold much water
because of low permeability factor while the clay particles differ from the sand particles in that it
is composed predominantly of minerals arranged as products of secondary weathering, i.e.: the
rock minerals undergo alteration before becoming clay minerals.
Permeability is observed as a standout amongst the most critical parameters in soil
mechanics. Fundamentally, it is characterized by the amount of water going through a clay
medium in a specific period, and is controlled by in-situ and research center tests. In basic
practice, the porousness coefficient is normally gotten by constant head penetrability test, and is
used in filtration-seepage, settlement, and solidness computations.[1]
Clay in the form of mud is the oldest binding material for the buildings which may
include houses and other construction elements. Mud is available cheap and strong binding
material and with no heavy technical staff or machinery. In Egypt the grain stores of Ramasseum
built in adobe in 1300BC still exist; the Great Wall of China has sections built in rammed
earth over 2000 years ago. Iran, India, Nepal, Yemen all have examples of ancient cities
and large buildings built in various forms of earthen construction. The strength of
unsterilized earth walls comes from the bonding effect of dried clay. If this becomes wet the
strength is lost and indeed the wall will erode or even fail completely. The water retention
characteristics are controlled by the sand and soil mixture so it is a basic point of control to retain
the mixture of the clay and sand to get effective results.[2, 3]Sandy Clay Loam can bear 20-30 %
of the clay content with the field capacity of 2.3 mm/cm of soil, wilting point of 1.3 mm/cm of
soil and available water of 1.5 mm/cm of soil.[4]
Page 2 of 7

A large section of the Engineering design strategies and parameters of soil have been
produced for perfect soils such as sand or clays, and a large section of the past studies were to
facilitate compressional property and shear quality conduct of sandy and/or clayey soil [5] and
that’s exactly where I can continue my research to find out in what proportion the sand and clay
should be mixed to get an ultimate proper product which can be used in the construction
purposes to get maximum possible results and for that I will discuss the effect on the clay
permeability with the addition of the sand into it.
1.2 Rational of the study
Clay is a basic element of Soil Based Construction Materials, and is often mentioned as a
“binder” for these materials. To make the most of SBCMs there may be occasions when ideal
clays are mixed with the sands. As discussed above some of the architectural buildings use mud
which is the mixture of the clay, sand and water. Further, the clay is regarded as an important
element that has huge mineral content. It is essential for organization to increase absorption
capacity of clay for agricultural and industrial purposes.
The researchers in present era are striving hard to identify the additive substances for
improving clay permeability. It has been proved by some of the researchers that sand act as an
additive substance for enhancing porousness of clay. However, on other hand set of researchers
are also trying to identify ways to improve quality of clay. Due to increasing usage of clay and
its importance, the research is conducted herewith to identify if the sand acts as additive
substance for improving clay perseverance.
1.3 Research aim and objectives
The researcher is required to clearly define the research aims and objectives. It is through
clear definition of research aim and objectives that the researcher is able to conduct analysis in
an effective manner. The study proposed herewith aims at scrutinizing the clay permeability on
addition of the sand. As per the earlier discussion, it is seen that the proportion of the clay and
sand in evaluating the water permeability is an important factor. Henceforth, the research is
conducted herewith to understand technical aspects of impact that the clay permeability has on
addition of the sand.
In order to achieve the goal of conducting research, the researcher emphasizes on
fulfillment of following research objectives:
Page 3 of 7

 To find out the factors in relation to clay permeability that influence quality of sand
mixture.
 To investigate the impact of the addition of sand on various clay parameters mainly the
clay permeability
 To identify practices adopted within industry to enhance properties of clay through
addition of sand.
 To study outcomes of tests and experiments that emphasize on identifying impact of sand
on the porousness of earth.
 To determine the threshold percentage of sand which influences the permeability of clay.
 To find out the relationship of proportion at which maximum effective results can be
acquired.
1.4 Research Limitations
As it has been mentioned earlier that the research topic of is vast and extracting out the
key findings can be pretty difficult yet the research ought to be carried out in effective manner.
The research project can be influenced from the quality of the sand collected over and in
conservation that means sample when used for the other time may change the property to some
extent like moisture content or due to the conditions that are provided for the storage of the
sample.
1.5 Scope of Research
Constant Head and Falling Head Permeability Test will be applied within laboratory on
different mixtures of sand and clay to find out the clay permeability. The research will be done as
a university project. Lab scale testing will be conducted so all the testing systems are applied
according to set standards. However, the test will be conducted at smaller yet an accurate scale.
The researcher emphasizes on ensuring that the enough time is devoted to conduct the research
so as to meet the requirements of the university as well as the project advisor. The researcher
focuses on generating maximum effective output by overcoming all issues and limitations
Page 4 of 7

1.6 Outline of Dissertation
The outline of dissertation provides a guidance to conduct research work with high
proficiency. The present research is transcribed in agreement to the objectives and follows the
following structure: Chapter 1: Introduction: This section briefs out an overview of the study with a clear
set of aim and objectives. Further, it sets a rough sketch of procedure through which
research work will be carried.
 Chapter 2: Literature Review: In this section, an in-depth review of previous literature
is conducted. The outcomes brought forward by researcher in past in context of sand and
clay mixtures are evaluated. It is on the basis of published literature and outcomes,
researcher tries to understand the usage of sand as an additive element to determine
permeability of clay.
 Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This section of research work brings forth all
methodologies and techniques that are suitable for the research into consideration.
 Chapter 4: Data Analysis: The data collected in primary and secondary form is
evaluated throughout this section. An evaluation of information extracted will help in
generating suitable results for the study into consideration.
 Chapter 5: Results and Discussion: This section constructs the results from the research
study and laboratory study. Further, the discussion related to outcomes generated are
made throughout this chapter.
 Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendations: The final section of research work deals
with concluding the research outcomes. Further, the future recommendation for
implementation of research outcomes is provided in this chapter.
Page 5 of 7

REFERENCES
1. Alyamani, M.S. and Z. Şen, 1993. Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity from
Complete Grain‐Size Distribution Curves. Ground Water. 31(4): p. 551-555.
2. Easton, D., The rammed earth house. 2007: Chelsea Green Publishing.
3. Zami, M.S. and A. Lee, 2011. Inhibitors of adopting stabilised earth construction to
address urban low cost housing crisis: An understanding by construction professionals.
Journal of Building Appraisal. 6(3-4). pp. 227-240.
4. Cann, M., 2000. Clay spreading on water repellent sands in the south east of South
Australia—promoting sustainable agriculture. Journal of Hydrology. 231. pp. 333-341.
5. Tembe, S., Lockner, A.D. and Wong, F.T., 2010. Effect of clay content and mineralogy
on frictional sliding behavior of simulated gouges: Binary and ternary mixtures of quartz,
illite, and montmorillonite. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 115(B3).
Page 6 of 7