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The Flow of Water Through Gravels
Mulqueen, J.
Mulqueen, J.
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2005
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Mulqueen, J. (2005) The Flow of Water Through Gravels, Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 44: 83–94, 2005
Abstract
The linear flow law of Darcy, relating the flux to the hydraulic gradient by a constant
of proportionality, the hydraulic conductivity (K), is almost universally employed to
analyse and predict the flow of fluids through soils and aquifers. Laminar flow is a prerequisite
for its application and while not a problem in soils, it may be problematic in
high velocity flows through gravel aquifers and drains. In the present study, the velocity
of water flow through 30 screened gravel aggregates, comprising pit and broken
stone gravels and ranging in particle diameter from 38.1 to 1.6 mm was measured.
Some of the aggregates were reconstituted, derived by combining in various proportions
fractions from laboratory screenings. The experimental arrangement comprised
a 1.53-m long, 60-mm bore PVC smooth-walled pipe with retainer screens at both ends.
This pipe was carefully packed with the particular gravel aggregate in 0.5 kg aliquots,
placed horizontally on adjustable supports and connected to a 3-m3 reservoir held at a
constant level. Hydraulic gradients applied were generally in the range 0.05–0.56.
Each test was repeated at least twice. The flow of water through the gravels did not
obey Darcy’s Law. The relationship between velocity, v (m/s), and the hydraulic gradient
(i) was of the form, v = aib , with a and b (–) constants for a particular gravel.
Darcy’s Law can be applied by considering a gradient-dependent hydraulic conductivity,
v = K(i), from which K(i) = aib–1. Under unit gradient K(i) = a. In the coarser gravel
aggregates, the value of b approached 0.5, similar to that for turbulent flow in roughwalled
pipes. In fine-particle gravels, b tended toward unity indicating that Darcy’s
Law could be applied without too much error. Results of tests in this series were in good
agreement with those from another laboratory. Log-log curves and equations relating
K(i) of individual aggregates to i are provided. K(i) values ranged over two orders of
magnitude from 120,000 m/day for coarse gravel to about 700 m/day for a 4.76 to 1.6
mm gravel. There were very large declines in K(i) with increase in i in coarse gravels
and small declines in the finer gravels. Results are discussed in relation to drainage
and filter gravels and gravel aquifers.