Hydraulic Conductivity (K)

Hydraulic Conductivity (K)

“Hydraulic Conductivity” (K), in hydrogeology and hydrology, represents the capacity of a porous medium (such as soil) to transmit water, as per Darcy’s Law. To illustrate, the rate at which fluid can move through a permeable medium (such as soil), depends on the properties of that soil (such as intrinsic permeability) and the fluid (such as viscosity and specific weight).

Hydraulic Conductivity via Darcy’s Law

The principles and theory of Darcy’s Law are the same in all fields. However, in the field of geology and hydrogeology, the following formulas apply to represent Darcy’s Law. Solving for “K” in each of these formulas yields the value for “Hydraulic Conductivity.”

Q = K•A [(h1-h2) ÷ L]

The following variables and coefficients apply to this formula: “K” = Hydraulic Conductivity; “Q” = Discharge Rate; “A” = Area of Cross-Section that Water Flows; “h” = Hydraulic Head (h = p/rg + z); and “L” = Length/Distance of Water Table Elevation Change.

q = Q ÷ A = -K [(dh) ÷ (dl)]

In this formula, the following variables apply: “K” = Hydraulic Conductivity; “Q” = Discharge Rate; “q” = Specific Discharge [L/T] (q = Q/A); “dh/dl” = Hydraulic Gradient; and “K” = Hydraulic Conductivity.

Related Posts:

Similar Posts

  • Consistency

    ByGeo Forward

    Consistency The term “Consistency” in the fields of engineering geology and geotechnical engineering means the degree of adhesion between soil particles within a sample, that are observed to resist deformation or rupture.

  • Methane Alarm System

    ByGeo Forward

    Methane Alarm System Methane Alarm System: As per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, a methane alarm system is part of an active methane mitigation plan. A methane alarm system is a group of interacting components and circuits that synchronize to monitor and annunciate the status of…

  • Water Table

    ByGeo Forward

    Water Table Water Table: In the hydrogeology branch of geology, the water table represents the surface of an unconfined groundwater aquifer, where the hydraulic pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. Additionally, a water table is present in a perched groundwater zone. Although, there is no water table in a confined aquifer.

  • Juvenile Water

    ByGeo Forward

    Juvenile Water Juvenile Water: In geology, juvenile water is water derived directly from magma, introduced into the Earth’s surface through geological processes such as magmatic and volcanic activity. Since juvenile water is derived from Earth’s center, its characteristics, are associated with higher temperatures and pressures.

  • Phaneritic

    ByGeo Forward

    Phaneritic Definition In geology, the term Phaneritic applies to the texture of an igneous rock. A phaneritic plutonic rock has grains that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. In fact, this indicates there was a slower rate of magmatic cooling.

  • Effective Stress (σ’)

    ByGeo Forward

    Effective Stress (σ’) “Effective Stress” (σ’) is a geotechnical engineering term. Effective Stress is a function of “total stress,” and is due to the solid particles of soil. Effective stress represents an excess of stress above pore-water pressure (or neutral stress). Effective Stress Formula Effective Stress = Total Stress – Pore-Water Pressure.