Field Testing and Calibration of the Vertical In situ Permeameter (VIP) Development of An Improved Vertical and Horizontal In situ Permeameter (VAHIP)

Hydraulic conductivity (permeability) is a fundamental hydromechanical parameter quantifying the resistance of a permeable medium to water flow. Of interest to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is especially the vertical hydraulic conductivity of the soil underlying stormwater retention ponds, which determines the quickness of stormwater recession (drainage) into the subsurface. In situ measurements of hydraulic conductivity are often considered most accurate and time-effective, because they avoid collection with associated disturbance and subsequent laboratory analysis of soil samples. However, under anisotropic conditions, i.e., when horizontal and vertical conductivities are different, existing field methods are limited to the measurement of an apparent isotropic conductivity, or at best the horizontal conductivity alone. A Vertical and Horizontal In situ Permeameter (VAHIP) was designed and built in the form of a direct-push injection probe with head measurements at the injection screen in addition to two additional head observation points along the probe shaft. Based on existing theory, appropriate pressure transducers were selected with an automated data acquisition system. A PVC probe prototype was designed and fabricated. The prototype was used in laboratory sand barrel tests and FDOT test pit experiments. Based on these results, a steel probe was designed and fabricated, and preliminary field tests were conducted with it. Test pit experiments were complicated by the breaking up of the relatively shallow and loose sand, but successfully demonstrated the functionality of the automated pressure data acquisition. Overall, results from laboratory and field tests confirm the proper working of the probe with sensitivity to separate estimation of horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivities from injection tests.

• Record URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdv31-977-23-rpt.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdv31-977-23-sum.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/56233
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Florida, Gainesville

  Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611-6580

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mohseni, Ana
  • Klammler, Harald
  • Rodgers, Michael
  • Velasquez, Aminta
  • Liu, Angelina
• Publication Date: 2020-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 85p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calibration; Data collection; Detention basins; Field tests; Laboratory tests; Permeability; Permeameters; Probes (Measuring devices); Prototypes
• Identifier Terms: Florida Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01747141
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: BDV31-977-23; 00114669/00114670
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 30 2020 3:49PM