Journal of
Geology and Mining Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Geol. Min. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9766
  • DOI: 10.5897/JGMR
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 176

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of empirical formulae for the determination of hydraulic conductivity based on grain-size analysis

J. M. Ishaku1, E.W. Gadzama2 and U. Kaigama1*
  1Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology Yola, Nigeria. 2Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology Yola, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 22 December 2010
  •  Published: 30 April 2011

Abstract

 

Several empirical formulae were used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of aquifer materials in the Jimeta-Yola area. The results indicate that the best estimation of hydraulic conductivity is based on Terzaghi equation, followed by Kozeny-Carman, Hazen, Breyer and Slitcher equations, respectively. The mean values from these equations were 1508, 287.1, 213.3, 186.9 and 102.3 m/day. The estimated hydraulic conductivities from the different methods indicate the hydraulic conductivity of clean sand to gravelly materials. USBR method underestimated the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer materials in the area. The method, indicate the hydraulic conductivity of fine sand.

 

Key words: Hydraulic conductivity, aquifer, empirical formulae, Bima Sandstone, sieve analysis.