<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This study evaluates various methods for estimating soil permeability using microtomography-derived data and compares them to the conventional laboratory approaches. Different methods, including measurement in custom-designed permeameter at micro-CT-compatible scale, empirical equations, simulated sifting, semi-theoretical equations, pore-network modeling, and lattice-Boltzmann simulations, were applied to samples of sandy soils with distinct microstructural properties. The empirical equations showed varied results, highly dependent on the method chosen. The simulated sifting method was able to adequately estimate the granulometric properties of the soil, allowing the use of empirical permeability formulations for substantially small samples. Semi-theoretical equations based on the microstructural properties presented reasonable agreement for some samples. The pore-network modeling approach demonstrated computational efficiency but lacked accuracy. The lattice-Boltzmann method required significant computational resources but did not provide substantially closer alignment with the measured hydraulic properties of some samples. None of the simulations was able to properly determine the permeability of silty and organically contaminated sand. The study highlights the complexity of permeability estimation, emphasizing the need for choosing volumes of interest, resolution of micro-CT scans, and methods that match specific soil characteristics and available computational resources.</p>
</abstract>

This study evaluates various methods for estimating soil permeability using microtomography-derived data and compares them to the conventional laboratory approaches. Different methods, including measurement in custom-designed permeameter at micro-CT-compatible scale, empirical equations, simulated sifting, semi-theoretical equations, pore-network modeling, and lattice-Boltzmann simulations, were applied to samples of sandy soils with distinct microstructural properties. The empirical equations showed varied results, highly dependent on the method chosen. The simulated sifting method was able to adequately estimate the granulometric properties of the soil, allowing the use of empirical permeability formulations for substantially small samples. Semi-theoretical equations based on the microstructural properties presented reasonable agreement for some samples. The pore-network modeling approach demonstrated computational efficiency but lacked accuracy. The lattice-Boltzmann method required significant computational resources but did not provide substantially closer alignment with the measured hydraulic properties of some samples. None of the simulations was able to properly determine the permeability of silty and organically contaminated sand. The study highlights the complexity of permeability estimation, emphasizing the need for choosing volumes of interest, resolution of micro-CT scans, and methods that match specific soil characteristics and available computational resources.

Insights Into Estimation of Sand Permeability: From Empirical Relations to Microstructure-based Methods

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This study evaluates various methods for estimating soil permeability using microtomography-derived data and compares them to the conventional laboratory...

Insights Into Estimation of Sand Permeability: From Empirical Relations to Microstructure-based Methods

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Mar 29, 2024

Page range: 1 - 20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2024-0001

Keywords
microtomography, permeability, conductivity, computational fluid dynamics, Kozeny–Carman equation

© 2024 Bartłomiej Bodak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Insights Into Estimation of Sand Permeability: From Empirical Relations to Microstructure-based Methods

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Mar 29, 2024

Page range: 1 - 20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2024-0001

Keywordsmicrotomography, permeability, conductivity, computational fluid dynamics, Kozeny–Carman equation

© 2024 Bartłomiej Bodak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
microtomography, permeability, conductivity, computational fluid dynamics, Kozeny–Carman equation