How much water does a soil let through? Constant head permeameters, for sands and gravels, and falling head ones, for silts and clays, measure it to ASTM D2434 and EN ISO 17892-11. Drilling fluids and grouts have their own checks: Marsh funnel, flow cone, mud balance and sand content kit. We can advise you on the right equipment for your site or laboratory.
| Equipment | Soil type | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Constant head permeameter | Sands and gravels, coarse-grained | ASTM D2434, BS 1377-5 |
| Falling head permeameter | Silts and clays, from 10⁻² to 10⁻⁶ cm/s | EN ISO 17892-11 |
| 4-station permeameter | Four samples at once | ASTM D2434, BS 1377-5 |
| What is measured | Equipment | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity of drilling fluids | Marsh funnel with 1 l cup | ISO 2431, API 13B-1 |
| Fluidity of grouts and mortars | Brass flow cone | EN 445, NF P18-358 |
| Mud density | Baroid mud balance | API 13B-1 |
| Sand content | Kit with 200 mesh sieve | API 13B-1 |
To get a price, click Budget on each product page and send one request with everything you need. If you would rather talk to us, write to us or call +34 916 28 29 40.
How easily water flows through the pores of a soil. It is expressed as the coefficient of permeability k, in cm/s or m/s, according to Darcy's law. It ranges from more than 10⁻¹ cm/s in a clean gravel to less than 10⁻⁷ cm/s in a clay.
In very permeable soils, such as sands and gravels, water flows quickly and the water level is kept constant: the flow rate is measured. In silts and clays so little water passes that the fall of the level in a narrow tube over time is measured instead: falling head.
To calculate the water that will enter an excavation, the drainage a retaining wall needs, seepage under a dam or the rate of consolidation of a clay. It is also used to choose drainage or waterproofing materials.
To support the walls of pile and diaphragm wall excavations while they are dug, and to carry out the cuttings. The slurry must have the right density, viscosity and sand content, which is why it is checked on site.
All the soil testing equipment is in soils.
