Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
serie Formatio Circumiectus – Environmental Processes
RESEARCH PAPER
Impact of effective stress and temperature on the hydraulic permeability of soils
1
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq
2
Formerly of Geomechanics and Geotechnics, Kiel University, Germany
3
Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Babylon University, Iraq
Submission date: 2026-01-08
Final revision date: 2026-01-28
Acceptance date: 2026-01-28
Publication date: 2026-04-01
Corresponding author
Ahmed Al-Janabi
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Babylon 51001, Iraq
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Babylon 51001, Iraq
Acta Sci. Pol. Formatio Circumiectus 2026;25(1):45-53
HIGHLIGHTS
- Focus: stress/temperature effects on hydraulic permeability (k) of compacted soils
- Soils Tested: Two glacial tills (N. Germany), one loess (Azerbaijan)
- Methods: Heating chamber with constant head permeameter
- Temperature Effect k increases with temperature due to reduced pore-water viscosity
- Stress Effect: k decreases with higher cell pressure from void reduction
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Aim of the study:
Heavily compacted soils are often used as engineering barriers for the disposal of high-level industrial waste subjected to thermo-hydro-mechanical actions, such as heat dissipation. This study examines the impact of stress and temperature on the hydraulic permeability (k) of three different soil types: two types of glacial till soils from northern Germany and a loess soil from Azerbaijan.
Material and methods:
A heating chamber containing a constant head permeameter measuring apparatus was used in the laboratory. The effects of four isotropic cell pressures (100, 200, 250, 300 kPa) on effective stress were tested, as were the effects of four temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50°C) on permeability.
Results and conclusions:
Hydraulic permeability (k) is proportional to temperature due to the reduced viscosity of pore water upon heating. Conversely, (k) decreases with increasing cell pressure (effective stress), which is caused by a reduction in soil voids under extra confinement.
Heavily compacted soils are often used as engineering barriers for the disposal of high-level industrial waste subjected to thermo-hydro-mechanical actions, such as heat dissipation. This study examines the impact of stress and temperature on the hydraulic permeability (k) of three different soil types: two types of glacial till soils from northern Germany and a loess soil from Azerbaijan.
Material and methods:
A heating chamber containing a constant head permeameter measuring apparatus was used in the laboratory. The effects of four isotropic cell pressures (100, 200, 250, 300 kPa) on effective stress were tested, as were the effects of four temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50°C) on permeability.
Results and conclusions:
Hydraulic permeability (k) is proportional to temperature due to the reduced viscosity of pore water upon heating. Conversely, (k) decreases with increasing cell pressure (effective stress), which is caused by a reduction in soil voids under extra confinement.
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| ISSN: | 1644-0765 |
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