Examining long-term variability in saturated hydraulic conductivity of
sandy soils and its influencing factors
Abstract
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) is a crucial parameter that
influences water flow in saturated soils, with applications in various
fields such as surface water runoff, soil erosion, drainage, and solute
transport. However, accurate estimation of Ks is challenging due to
temporal and spatial uncertainties. This study addresses the knowledge
gap regarding the long-term behaviour of Ks in sandy soils with less
than 10% fine particles. The research investigates the changes in Ks
over a long period of constant head tests and examines the factors
influencing its variation. Two sandy samples were tested using a
hydraulic conductivity cell, and the hydraulic head and discharge were
recorded for over 50 days. The results show a general decline in Ks
throughout the test, except for brief periods of increase. Furthermore,
the relationship between flow rate and hydraulic head gradient does not
follow the expected linear correlation from Darcy’s law, highlighting
the complex nature of sandy soil hydraulic conductivity. The
investigation of soil properties in three different sections of the
samples before and after the tests revealed a decrease in the percentage
of fine particles and a shift in specific gravity from the bottom to the
top of the sample, suggesting particle migration along the flow
direction. Factors such as clogging by fine particles and pore pressure
variation contribute to the changes in Ks. The implications of this
study have far-reaching effects on various geotechnical engineering
applications. These include groundwater remediation, geotechnical
stability analysis, and drainage system design.