Soil permeability is a fundamental property in geotechnical and environmental engineering. It governs how quickly water moves through a soil mass and is critical to the design of drainage systems, landfill liners, dam cores, retaining walls, and dewatering programs. Western Geotechnical Laboratory Services (WGLS) provides accredited soil permeability testing to AS 1289, covering three test methods to suit a wide range of soil types and project requirements. Constant Head Permeability (AS 1289.6.7.1) is suited to coarser, more permeable granular soils. Falling Head Permeability (AS 1289.6.7.2) is used for finer-grained, less permeable materials. Triaxial Cell Flexible Wall Permeability (AS 1289.6.7.3) provides the most precise measurement and is used for low-permeability soils where back pressure saturation is required. All three methods are available from our NATA-accredited laboratory in Welshpool, Perth.
