"A METHOD OF INFILTRATION MEASUREMENT IN THE SOIL"
"A METHOD OF INFILTRATION MEASUREMENT IN THE SOIL"
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Date
1970-07
Authors
OLAIYA, RAMONU ALAO
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Abstract
The primary objective of this research was to
develop and evaluate an acceptable instrument for
field measurement of infiltration.
Many situations arise in civil engineering,
irrigation and hydrology where it is desirable to
evaluate infiltration of water into the soil under
either ponded or rainfall conditions. An example is
in the prediction of the rate of surface runoff. During
a given storm rainfall intensities in excess of infiltration
rates give rise to surface runoff. Since a
large percentage of the rainfall infiltrates into
the soil, the accuracy with which the surface runoff
can be predicted is therefore dependent on the evaluation
of infiltration.
Infiltration is the movement of water through the
soil surface and into the soil and is distinguished
from percolation, which is the movement of water through
the soil profile. It is the source of soil moisture
needed to sustain the growth of vegetation and of
the groundwater supplies of wells, springs, and streams.
Through infiltration the soil surface divides rainfall into
overland flow, and soil moisture and groundwater.
Some of the sources of water are: rain, dew, frost and
irrigation.The maximum rate at which water will enter the soil
in a given coalition is known as the infiltration capacity.
The infiltration rate is the rate at which water enters
the soil during a rainstorm, and it must equal the
infiltration capacity, or the rainfall rata, whichever is
least. It has the dimensions of volume per unit time
per unit of area. Infiltration rates may be determined
experimentally by measuring the surface runoff from a
small test plot subject to either natural or simulated
rainfall. The most important items influencing rate of
infiltration have to do with the physical characteristics
of the soil and the cover on the soil surface, but such
other factors such as soil moisture, rainfall intensity,
temperature are also involved.
A comprehensive review of literature regarding the
factors affecting infiltration and the methods of
measurement is included in this thesis.
Infiltration measurements have been conducted by
different methods in the past by observing runoff from
natural or artificial rainfall or by observing the rate
of fall of ponded water. The most suitable method of
measuring infiltration will depend upon the intended
application, the equipment, and other resources available.
Since there is no single accepted method for
measuring infiltration rate, it is of particular interest therefore, to derive a standard method of
infiltration measurement in the "Local" Soil, However,
to find a simple but reliable infiltration measurement
many existing methods were examined and due to various
reasons stated under chapter II of this thesis two
methods were investigated and from the results obtained,
it was determined that the buffer cylinder infiltrometer
method was the most reliable, and also give the highest
degree of accuracy.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria., in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of Master of Science Degree in
Civil Engineering
Keywords
METHOD;, INFILTRATION,, MEASUREMENT,, SOIL