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GATE 2025 CE (CE2) – Question 15

Geotechnical Engineering · Permeability and seepage: flow nets, uplift pressure, piping, capillarity · 1 mark · Multiple choice

The most suitable test for measuring the permeability of clayey soils in the laboratory is ______.

  1. Constant head test
  2. Pumping out test
  3. Hydrometer test
  4. Falling head test

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (D) Falling head test

Explanation

Clays have a very low permeability, so the flow in a constant head test would be too small to measure. The falling head test is used for fine-grained soils. The pumping out test is a field test, and the hydrometer test measures particle size.