Construction and Testing of Single and Double Ring Infiltrometers

Academic Paper from the year 2011 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Geology, Mineralogy, Soil Science, , language: English, abstract: This paper presents the results of the construction of an improvised double and single ring infiltrometers. The study was carried in Auchi Polytechnic campus, after the construction, the double ring and single ring infiltrometer were used to carryout infiltration tests at four different locations.

Infiltration is the process of water movement from the ground surface into the soil and is an important component in the hydrological cycle. Infiltration characteristics of soils can be quantified by direct measurement on the field and/or when field infiltration data are fitted mathematically to infiltration models. Lili et al. reviewed the commonly used direct methods for measuring soil infiltration which include: single ring and double ring infiltrometers, mariotte-double ring infiltrometer, disc permeameter, rainfall simulator, runoff-on-ponding, runoff-on-out and linear source methods, the results obtained from field infiltration test and soil analysis are used for infiltration modeling.

The general knowledge of the infiltration rate of soils has been obtained for many field conditions in the past, and results applied in many field works, there is dearth of information on the infiltration characteristics of soils within Auchi Polytechnic campus which would have aided engineers in hydrologic/hydraulic design of water disposal structures, soil management and erosion control works et cetera. The knowledge of the infiltration capacity of soils within Auchi Polytechnic campus will be very helpful in carrying out soil related research works, infrastructural works and other works involving erosion control and management.