TITLE:
Kozeny-Carman Equation and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Clayey Soils
AUTHORS:
Emmanouil Steiakakis, Christos Gamvroudis, Georgios Alevizos
KEYWORDS:
Hydraulic Conductivity; Kozeny-Carman Equation; Specific Surface; Clayey Soils
JOURNAL NAME:
Geomaterials,
Vol.2 No.2,
April
25,
2012
ABSTRACT: The saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil is the main parameter for modeling the water flow through the soil and determination of seepage losses. In addition, hydraulic conductivity of compacted soil layers is critical component for designing liner and cover systems for waste landfills. Hydraulic conductivity can be predicted using empirical relationships, capillary models, statistical models and hydraulic radius theories [1]. In the current research work the reliability of Kozeny-Carman equation for the determination of the hydraulic conductivity of compacted clayey soils, is evaluated. The relationship between the liquid limit and the specific surface of the tested samples is also investigated. The resulting equation gives the ability for quick estimation of specific surface and hydraulic conductivity of the compacted clayey samples. The results presented here show that the Kozeny-Carman equation provides good predictions of the hydraulic conductivity of homogenized clayey soils compacted under given compactive effort, despite the consensus set out in the literature.