Determination of soil permeability coefficient following an updated grading entropy method
Brendan C. O'Kelly (Trinity College Dublin)
Maria Nogal Macho (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
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Abstract
This paper presents a critical review of the grading entropy approach of permeability-coefficient predictions (k P) for coarse-grained soils. The approach applies the grading entropy theory to particle-size distributions (PSDs), such that the entirety of each gradation curve can be interpreted as a single point on a grading entropy chart, plotting its normalised entropy increment (B) against relative base grading entropy (A) values. Published data sets of measured permeability-coefficient (k M) values for saturated compacted silty sand, sand and gravel materials are examined to understand the dependence of A and B on various gradation parameters and the void ratio (e). In particular, log k M negatively correlates with log B and positively correlates with log A and e (log e). As such, power functions of the form
kP=C1AC2BC3eC4 prove statistically superior, noting that the fitting coefficient C 1 to C 4 values are specific to the PSD range and densification (compaction) states investigated for the permeability tests. Recommendations are given for increasing the predictive power, including separate models for well-graded and poorly graded materials and the addition of a particle shape factor and specific surface parameters in the regression correlation.
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