PERMEABILITY APPARATUS (FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY) AZA0876
The AZA0876 Falling Head Permeability Apparatus from Azalab is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for the determination of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of fine-grained soils, such as silts and clays. It is specifically intended for the falling head test method, which is the most suitable and widely accepted technique for soils with low permeability.
Accurate assessment of soil permeability is critical in geotechnical engineering applications including foundation design, earth dams, embankments, drainage systems, seepage analysis, and groundwater flow studies. The AZA0876 provides reliable, repeatable, and standard-compliant results for professional laboratories.
Description
Principle of Operation
In the falling head test, a soil specimen is confined within a permeameter mould, and water is allowed to flow vertically through the sample from a standpipe. As water percolates through the soil, the water level in the standpipe gradually falls.
By measuring:
-
the initial and final water head,
-
the time taken for the head to fall,
-
the dimensions of the soil specimen and standpipe,
the coefficient of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of the soil is calculated. This method is highly sensitive and well suited for soils where flow rates are too low for constant head testing.
Key Features
-
Specifically designed for falling head permeability testing
-
Ideal for fine-grained soils such as silts and clays
-
Accurate determination of hydraulic conductivity
-
Complete system with all essential components
-
Durable, corrosion-resistant construction
-
Stable laboratory mounting for reliable measurements
-
Easy assembly and operation
-
Manufactured to international testing standards
-
Proven Azalab quality and reliability
Applications
-
Permeability testing of silts and clays
-
Foundation and earthwork design
-
Seepage and drainage analysis
-
Groundwater flow assessment
-
Academic and research laboratories
-
Quality control in geotechnical investigations
Technical Specifications
Model Number: AZA0876
Apparatus Type: Falling Head Permeability Apparatus
Application:
-
Determination of permeability of fine-grained soils (silts, clays)
Permeameter Mould:
-
Suitable for standard soil specimen diameters (typically 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm)
Standpipe:
-
One or more glass tubes of varying internal diameters for different permeability ranges
Measuring Scale:
-
Graduated scale for precise measurement of falling water head
Base Assembly:
-
Rigid and stable base for secure mounting of mould and standpipe
Tubing:
-
Flexible, leak-proof tubing for water connections
Material of Construction:
-
Durable, corrosion-resistant materials suitable for laboratory use
Compliance:
-
Conforms to IS 2720 (Part XVII)
-
Compatible with relevant ASTM and international standards
Advantages
-
High sensitivity for low-permeability soils
-
Accurate and repeatable results
-
Standard-compliant testing method
-
Long service life with minimal maintenance
-
Essential equipment for professional geotechnical laboratories
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the AZA0876 used for?
The AZA0876 is used to determine the coefficient of permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of fine-grained soils using the falling head test method.
Q2: Why is the falling head test preferred for fine soils?
Fine-grained soils have very low permeability. The falling head method is sensitive enough to measure slow water flow accurately.
Q3: What soils are suitable for testing with this apparatus?
Silts, clays, and other low-permeability soils.
Q4: What components are supplied with the AZA0876?
Permeameter mould, standpipe(s), measuring scale, base assembly, and connecting tubing.
Q5: Which standards does the AZA0876 comply with?
IS 2720 (Part XVII) and relevant ASTM/international standards.
Q6: Is this apparatus suitable for sands?
For sands and highly permeable soils, a constant head permeability apparatus is recommended instead.
Additional information
| Model Number |
AZA 0876 |
|---|---|
| Apparatus Type |
Falling Head Permeability Apparatus |
| Application |
Determination of permeability of fine-grained soils (silts, clays). |
| Base |
Stable base for mounting the permeameter and standpipe. |
| Tubing |
Flexible tubing for water connections. |
| Material |
Constructed from durable, corrosion-resistant materials. |
Related products
AUTOMATIC SOIL COMPACTOR AZA0867
HEAVY COMPACTION TEST AZA0865
-
- Specify target field compaction densities
- Control moisture during earthwork
- Ensure long-term stability and load-bearing performance
LINEAR SHRINKAGE MOULD AZA0850
The AZA0850 Precision Linear Shrinkage Mould from AZALAB is a compact and highly accurate laboratory instrument designed for determining the linear shrinkage of fine-grained cohesive soils in accordance with BS 1377-2. This test is a key component of soil classification and is especially important in identifying shrink–swell behavior of clays and expansive soils.
Linear shrinkage testing measures the reduction in length of a soil specimen upon drying, expressed as a percentage of its original length. The results provide valuable insight into soil expansiveness, volume stability, and suitability for foundations, pavements, and earthworks.
Manufactured from high-quality brass or stainless steel, the AZA0850 mould offers precise internal dimensions, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth polished finish for easy sample preparation and removal. Its robust construction ensures repeatable, reliable results even under high-frequency laboratory use.
PLASTIC LIMIT SET AZA0848
- Soil classification (Atterberg limits)
- Assessing workability and consistency
- Evaluating shrink–swell characteristics
- Supporting foundation, pavement, and earthwork design
SAND EQUIVALENT TEST SET AZA0859
SOIL CONE PENETROMETER AZA0851
Principle of Operation
A soil paste prepared at a known moisture content is placed in the sample cup. The stainless steel cone, of specified mass and angle, is allowed to penetrate the soil freely for 5 seconds. The depth of penetration (up to 20 mm) is measured using a precision depth gauge. The moisture content corresponding to 20 mm penetration is defined as the liquid limit of the soil.Standards Compliance
- IS 2720 (Part 5) – Determination of liquid and plastic limits
- ASTM D4318 – Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
SPEEDY MOISTURE ZI 3027 METER (D2 LARGE) AZA0873
The AZA0873 Speedy Moisture ZI 3027 Meter (D2 Large) from Azalab is a high-performance field instrument designed for rapid and accurate determination of moisture content in soils, aggregates, sand, and similar materials. Based on the proven calcium carbide gas pressure method, this instrument is widely used in earthwork compaction control, road construction, geotechnical investigations, and concrete production, where immediate moisture data is critical for quality assurance.
The D2 Large configuration distinguishes the AZA0873 by allowing a larger sample size, providing more representative and reliable results, especially for heterogeneous materials and aggregates with larger particle sizes. Its rugged ZI 3027 construction ensures dependable performance under demanding site conditions.
