ABSTRACT
A new simple laboratory permeability test is proposed; an undisturbed soil sample encased in a thin wall (Shelby) tube may be tested directly for horizontal mass permeability. Through a row of small holes drilled on each side of the tube, water with a constant head is supplied from one end to the other across the diameter of the soil sample until a steady state seepage is established through the soil encased in the sample tube. From the rate of discharge measured, the coefficient of permeability may readily be computed over each divided section or over the entire length of the thin wall sample, thus providing an important information on horizontal mass permeability of a thick compressible stratum to evaluate more logically and reliably the rate of settlement of a structure on a soft clay foundation.
