Two Case Histories: Field Sealed Double Ring Infiltrometer(SDRI) and Laboratory Hydraulic Conductivity Comparison Test Programs

Author(s):  
JF Wallace ◽  
RR Sacrison ◽  
EE Rosik
Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Shaopeng Li

The installation of a traditional double-ring infiltrometer (DRI) into soil is difficult and time consuming. It results in reduced accuracy because of soil disturbance and water leakage along the gaps between the ring wall and the soil. In this study, a surface-positioned DRI (SPDRI) was suggested to improve measurement accuracy and convenience of the DRI. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate performance of the method in terms of the influence of the lateral flow of water on the accuracy of infiltration rate, average vertical wetting front depth and saturated hydraulic conductivity. A cylindrical soil column was used to simulate the ideal ring infiltrometer (IRI) of the one-dimensional vertical infiltration process for comparison purposes. Experimental results indicated that the infiltration rates measured by the SPDRI and IRI were nearly identical, with maximum relative error (RE) of 18.75%. The vertical wetting front depth of the SPDRI was nearly identical to that of the IRI, with proportional coefficients of 0.97 and R2 > 0.95. Comparison of the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity with those from IRI indicated that the REs were 7.05–10.63% for the SPDRI. Experimental results demonstrated that the SPDRI could improve the measurement accuracy and facilitate the soil water infiltration measurement process.


Author(s):  
Mohammad R. H. Gorakhki ◽  
Christopher Bareither ◽  
Joseph Scalia

A commingled waste rock and tailings test pile and a waste rock test pile were evaluated to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity and destructively sampled to measure dry density. The commingled test pile contained a mixture of filtered tailings and waste rock blended to isolate waste rock particles as inclusions within the tailings matrix. Test piles were constructed in the shape of truncated 5-m tall pyramids with 25-m base sides and flat 5-m × 5-m top surfaces, and instrumented to monitor water content (and additional geochemical indicator parameters) within the test pile and seepage from the base of the pile. Piles were decommissioned after 26 months of operation. Saturated hydraulic conductivities were measured using sealed double ring infiltrometers (2.4-m square outer-ring and 1-m square inner-ring). Tensiometers and embedded water content sensors were used to measure progression of the wetting front, and the final location of the wetting front in the commingled test pile was directly measured during decommissioning. Field-measured saturated hydraulic conductivities were compared to laboratory-measured results intended to simulate the test piles. Despite having a lower average density, the commingled waste rock and tailings had a hydraulic conductivity approximately 2.5-times lower than the waste rock.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamorudeen O Yusuf ◽  
Rasheed O Obalowu ◽  
Gideon T Akinleye ◽  
Selia I Adio-Yusuf

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and accuracy of tension infiltrometer (TI) over double ring infiltrometer (DI) for determining infiltration rate (I) of loamy sand. Sorptivity (S), infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity (K) are soil properties that govern the rate of entry of water into the soil and its movement within the soil. The ease and accurate measurement of these properties depend on the instruments used. DI operates by ponding water and could be affected by preferential water flow during infiltration test which could not be avoided especially on a fertile soil. DI and TI at water potentials of -0.02, -0.04, -0.05 and -0.06 m were used to determine infiltration rate of the soil. The mean values of sorptivity for DI and TI at water potentials of -0.02, -0.04, -0.05 and -0.06 m were 847.02, 63.50, 33.15, 29.90 and 19.46 mm/h1/2, respectively. Mean values of infiltration rates for DI and TI at -0.02, -0.04, -0.05 and -0.06 m water potentials were 471.26, 176.84, 73.73, 71.32 and 37.73 mm/h, respectively. Mean values of hydraulic conductivity for DI and TI at -0.02, -0.04, -0.05 and -0.06 m were 344.45, 22.42, 18.61and 16.83 mm/h, respectively. DI required 100-150 litres for the infiltration test, difficult where water is very scarce and gave higher values of infiltration rate. TI saved water (2-3 litres), controlled preferential water flow and values of S, I and K were within the range obtained by other researchers. TI is more effective for measuring hydraulic properties soil than DI.Keywords:Double ring infiltrometer, tension infiltrometer, sorptivity, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity


Author(s):  
Ivana Kameníčková ◽  
L. Larišová ◽  
A. Stoklásková

Water infiltration into the soil profile, surface runoff and soil erosion in arable lands depend on the conditions of the top layer. The tillage treatment of the top layer plays a key role in changes of the hydro-physical properties, mainly saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks of the surface layer. The aim of this study was to asses the impact of different tillage treatments on hydraulic conductivity in the locality Bohaté Málkovice. Field experimental works in this area were performed in 2009 and were repeted in 2011 on Haplic Chernozem, medium heavy loamy soil. The experimental area was divided into two parts; top layer of these plots was cultivated by applying conventional and reduced tillage treatment. Both these plots were sown with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). For the field measurement of water infiltration into the soil was used double-ring infiltrometer (2009, 2011) and Minidisk infiltrometer (2011). Near the point were the infiltration was measured, the soil samples were always collected for laboratory determination of basic physical properties of soil (bulk density, porosity, initial and saturated water content, aeration of the soil) and saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks. For laboratory determination of Ks was used permeameter with constant gradient.For evaluation of saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks using the double-ring infiltration method was used Philip’s three-parameter equation and for evaluation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) using Minidisk infiltrometer was used Zang’s method. After two years of using repeatedly applied different tillage treatments was significantly influenced saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks. The Ks value increased approximately six times for reduced tillage and more than three times for conventional tillage. Laboratory determined average values of Ks were compared with the average estimates of Ks from infiltration tests. The results were burdened by a number of errors (compaction, preferential flow). These mean values were higher for conventional and reduced tillage. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(−2cm) for reduced tillage was higher, for conventional tillage decreased approximately three times.


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 529-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hördt ◽  
A. Druiventak ◽  
R. Blaschek ◽  
F. Binot ◽  
A. Kemna ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document