WATER PERMEABILITY CHARACTERISTICS NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF NON-WOVEN GEOTEXTILES UNDER VERTICAL STRESS CONSIDERING NON-UNIFORMITY OF INITIAL CONDITION

Abstract

In order to evaluate hydraulic conductivity normal to the plane of non-woven geotextiles under confining pressure, a new thickness-controlled permeability test apparatus was developed. First, permeability tests were conducted for glass beads and PVA sponges to verify the effectiveness of the new test apparatus. Next, permeability tests were performed for non-woven geotextile specimens which were selected considering their non-uniformity of initial condition. Based on test results, it was clear that the hydraulic conductivity normal to the plane of non-woven geotextiles, kV, under confining pressure can be estimated using only void ratio, e. Furthermore, the distribution of kV during compression process was shown.