Bulk Density in Relation to Infiltration Capacity of Loam Soils PDF

Keywords

bulk density, infiltration capacity, loam soils

Abstract

An infiltration experiment was carried out on columns of a loam soil (Fluventic Camborthids) packed to five bulk densities. Equations based on physical parameters were derived to compute the advance of the wetting front and cumulative infiltration. These parameters were bulk density (Db), initial moisture content (θo), the moisture content in the transmission zone (θt), the hydraulic conductivity of the transmission zone (KT), and the matric suction head of the wetting front (ψ) . The equations mainly utilized Darcy's law and the physical characteristics of the transmission and the wetting front zones. The derived equations have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental results and also with empirical power type equations which often used for practical purposes. The empirical equations were taken into account Db, θo, and θt. A relation between an empirical constant (A) and bulk density (Db) was found. This may be used as tentative guide for predicting the infiltration capacity of loam soils which are subjected to seasonal volume changes as result of cultivation and heavy agricultural machinery.