Evaluation of Hydraulic Conductivity of Bentonite Filter Cake Using Modified Fluid Loss Test

The mixture of bentonite powder and water is generally used to maintain the stability of excavation surface during the construction of vertical cutoff walls. The filter cake on the sidewall surface is the result of filtration of slurry into the adjacent soil formation. The filter cake is believed to have a very low hydraulic conductivity compared to that of the cutoff wall. This paper evaluates hydraulic conductivities of bentonite filter cakes set up with three types of bentonites under various pressure levels. A modified fluid loss test was employed in this experiment. Theory of filtration process was reviewed to explain the procedure in the present experiment. Hydraulic conductivity of the filter cakes with consideration of the filter medium resistance was evaluated. The results of the experiment with two calculation methods and discussion are presented to show the efficiency of the modified fluid loss test.