In situ measurements of soil hydraulic conductivity using point application of water

M. Yitayew, A. A. Khan, A. W. Warrick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

A method for estimating hydraulic conductivity from in-situ measurements of soil's hydraulic parameters from a point application of water was tested for three soil types. The method is based on Wooding's (1968) and Warrick's (1985) solutions of water flow from a shallow circular pond and point source, respectively. Measurements of the saturated radii and the associated flow rates are used to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity and a for the assumed Gardner's (1958) exponential relationship between hydraulic conductivity and soil matric head. Effects of flow rate on saturated and unsaturated surface wetted regimes were also observed. The surface wetted areas were found to be significantly affected by flow rate in all three soils. The results from the point application method were compared to those from ring infiltrometer measurements and gave consistent values for saturated hydraulic conductivity. The method's simplicity, repeatability and the ability to make rapid in-situ measurement makes it practical and applicable to use under varying conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)115-120
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Engineering in Agriculture
Volume14
Issue number2
StatePublished - Mar 1998

Keywords

  • Hydraulic conductivity
  • Hydrology
  • Soil

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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