DESIGN OF A SENSITIVE AND PRACTICAL CLOSED-TOP INFILTROMETER

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Abstract
We designed a two-piece, closed-top in-filtrometer with a 10-cm diameter. It measures infiltration under constant and naturally occurring low surface water head. This paper reports the results of the field tests in cultivated sandy and fine loamy soils with varying ring size, depth, and surface water head conditions. Mean cumulative infiltrations obtained with this infiltrometer are not significantly different from those with an open-top, falling-head infiltrometer at all times. Measurements with the designed infiltrometer are more reproducible, and hence fewer infiltration runs are needed to characterize the average infiltration parameters of a given area. The mean and coefficient of variation in cumulative infiltration of 60 min are 13.88 and 8.29% in sandy soil, respectively. The corresponding values for an open-top, falling-head infiltrometer are 13.56 and 17.55%, respectively. The designed infiltrometer does not present parallax and floating material problems. The time lag in taking zero time reading is reduced from 6.3 to 2.4 s. The sensitivity of the designed infiltrometer is 0.025 cm; that of a conventional infiltrometer is 0.1 cm. It is more practical, in general, and for remote areas of short water supply, in particular. Mean cumulative infiltration did not differ significantly with increasing ring size from 10− to 30-cm diameter. The coefficient of variation decreased at all times with the increase in size. The optimum outer ring depth was 10 cm, which was equal to the inner ring depth. The cumulative infiltration increased with increase in surface water head at all times, especially when it is increased in the higher range from 5 to 10 cm. © Williams & Wilkins 1985. All Rights Reserved.

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