Site investigation · Laboratory: strength & consolidation
Permeability (constant / falling head) calculator
Hydraulic conductivity from constant- or falling-head tests, corrected to 20 °C.
Standard: AS 1289.6.7.1 / 6.7.2 · Darcy
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Inputs in the worked example
The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.
| Input | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Falling head | |
| Sample length L | 11.6 | cm |
| Sample area A | 81.1 | cm² |
| Constant: volume collected Q | 350 | cm³ |
| Constant: head difference h | 60 | cm |
| Time t | 900 | s |
| Falling: standpipe area a | 0.785 | cm² |
| Falling: initial head h1 | 120 | cm |
| Falling: final head h2 | 80 | cm |
| Water temperature | 22 | °C |
Worked example — results
| Result | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| k at 22 °C | 5.06e-7 | m/s |
| k20 | 4.82e-7 | m/s |
| Description | low (silty sand / silt) | |
| Hydraulic gradient i | 8.62 |
- ✓ Test type suits soil (falling head for k < 1e-5 m/s)
Method, formulas and assumptions
- k = (a·L)/(A·t) · ln(h1/h2)
- k20 = kT · ηT/η20
- Units converted cm/s → m/s
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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.