SOME MEASUREMENTS OF THE PERMEABILITY OF KAOLIN.

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the vertical and horizontal permeabilities of speswhite kaolin clay. The permeabilities were measured using falling head permeability tests. A modification to a conventional oedometer was devised so that either vertical or horizontal permeabilities could be determined. It was found that the vertical and horizontal permeabilities of the clay slurry were similar, but that as the clay was consolidated one dimensionally the anisotropy of the clay fabric resulted in a greater horizontal permeability than the vertical permeability at any void ratio. Both permeabilities were uniquely related to the void ratio.