K.C. Akstin
K.A. Mello
J. R. Nimmo
1992
<p>A modification of the steady-state centrifuge method (SSCM) for unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>K</i>) measurement improves the range and adjustability of this method. The modified apparatus allows mechanical adjustments to vary the measured<span> </span><i>K</i><span> </span>by a factor of 360. In addition, the use of different flow-regulating ceramic materials can give a total<span> </span><i>K</i><span> </span>range covering about six orders of magnitude. The increment of<span> </span><i>K</i><span> </span>adjustment is a factor of about 1.6. This makes it potentially useful for measuring targeted values of<span> </span><i>K</i><span> </span>or, through a trial and error procedure, of water content (θ). The range extension afforded by this modification has led to the lowest steady-state<span> </span><i>K</i><span> </span>measurement to date: 1.1 × 10<sup>−11</sup><span> </span>m/s at θ of 0.068 m<sup>3</sup>water/m<sup>3</sup><span> </span>for a sandy soil of the Delhi series (mixed, thermic Typic Xeropsamment).</p>
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10.2136/sssaj1992.03615995005600060017x
en
ACSESS
Improved apparatus for measuring hydraulic conductivity at low water content
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