Soil hydraulic conductivity is a key parameter used to predict water flow through soil profiles. We have developed an automatic minidisk infiltrometer (AMI) that allows easy measurement of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the field using the tension infiltrometer method. The automatic minidisk infiltrometer records cumulative infiltration by detecting changes in buoyancy force acting on a vertical solid bar fixed in the reservoir tube of the infiltrometer. Performance of the instrument has been tested in the laboratory and in the field. The results of laboratory testing demonstrated a high degree of accuracy and robustness of the AMI measurements. Field testing of the AMI has proven the suitability of the instrument for use in the determination of sorptivity and near saturated hydraulic conductivity.
Good estimates of soil hydraulic conductivity are critical in many applications including agriculture, construction, drainage engineering, and environmental protection/remediation.
One advantage this instrument has over minidisk infiltrometers in common use today is that it makes measurements simultaneously at three points, producing data that provides a degree of averaging - resulting in a more representative picture of real conditions than single point measurements. Furthermore the Automated Minidisk Infiltrometer is capable of recording measurements to a datalogger for storage and easy data manipulation.
Collaborators on the development and research of the infiltrometer include:
Good estimates of soil hydraulic conductivity are critical in many applications including agriculture, construction, drainage engineering, and environmental protection/remediation.
One advantage this instrument has over minidisk infiltrometers in common use today is that it makes measurements simultaneously at three points, producing data that provides a degree of averaging - resulting in a more representative picture of real conditions than single point measurements. Furthermore the Automated Minidisk Infiltrometer is capable of recording measurements to a datalogger for storage and easy data manipulation.
Collaborators on the development and research of the infiltrometer include:
- Dr. Michal Snehota, Czech Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering
- Dr. Pavel Tacheci, DHI a.s.
- and Dr. Oldrich Zumr, CS PLASTING s.r.o.