Probabilistic modelling of saturated/unsaturated hydraulic conductivity for compacted glacial tills

A probabilistic model including some previous probabilistic studies is proposed to evaluate hydraulic conductivity from pore entrance size distribution. The model considers multi-pores in series of paths through capillary networks in the soil fabric. The average number of connected pores is a repres...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Géotechnique 2006-05, Vol.56 (4), p.273-284
Main Authors: WATABE, Y, LEBIHAN, J.-P, LEROUEIL, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Engineering geology
Exact sciences and technology
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Summary:A probabilistic model including some previous probabilistic studies is proposed to evaluate hydraulic conductivity from pore entrance size distribution. The model considers multi-pores in series of paths through capillary networks in the soil fabric. The average number of connected pores is a representative value of the fabric, greater than two but not too large. The hydraulic conductivity of three glacial tills from northern Québec with different grain-size distributions has been examined by horizontal permeability tests in saturated conditions, and suction tests with vertical permeability measurement in unsaturated conditions. The hydraulic conductivity is strongly influenced by compaction conditions corresponding to different microfabrics. The model is applicable not only in saturated conditions but also in unsaturated conditions with different microfabrics.
ISSN:0016-8505
1751-7656
DOI:10.1680/geot.2006.56.4.273