Experimental Study of Some Hydrogeophysical Properties of Unconsolidated Porous Media

Abstract
Laboratory investigations have been carried out on one‐ and two‐component artificial sand samples in order to estimate the relations between formation factor (F), porosity (φ), and permeability (K). The measurements were carried out by varying grain size and size distribution while keeping constant shape and packing; in our experimental conditions the measured formation factor approximated the intrinsic formation factor.The relationship between formation factor and porosity (F = a ·φ−m) is independent of grain size and size distribution; the coefficient values are: a = 1·15, m = 1·42.The relationship between permeability and formation factor has the general form K = r · F−s, where s is constant, and r is a function of the mean size d of the small component of the samples.The K‐F relation can be established only if d is constant; in these conditions the relationship is an inverse one, and the negative trend is related to the variations in size distribution.