Field Infiltrability Test

Field Procedures and Data Analysis for the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer

Tapiwa A Munikwa

R164384R

HENCE

CE310 Water Resources

 Field Infiltrability Test

INTRODUCTION

Infiltration is the movement of water into a soil profile. The rate at which infiltration occurs
is controlled by the inherent properties of the soil, the level of soil saturation when rainfall
starts, and by the ways in which humans have modified the landscape. Infiltration rates, in
turn, control runoff rates and soil erosion, which are important because these processes
influence the quality and quantity of our water resources.
The Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer is an instrument used to simulate rainfall at various
rates. The Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer combines the benefits of ponding ring
infiltrometers as well as rainfall simulators while remaining portable and water efficient
enough to allow taking multiple samples at each site (Ogden et al., 1997). This method is a
relatively easy, quick and repeatable way to measure initial and steady-state infiltrability
for a variety of soils.

OBJECTIVE

a. To identify the characteristics of the infiltration rate of water into soils in the field.
b. To evaluate the infiltration capacity of the dominant component of major soil
associations and to evaluate the reliability of infiltration tests

APPARATUS
 Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer
 Pick axe
 Garden trowel
 Hammer
 Infiltration ring
 Stop watch
 Measuring cylinder
 Water supply
 Collecting can
 Field Infiltrability Test

 Shovel

PROCEDURE
Calibration of infiltrometer
1. The infiltrometer was laid on a level surface and the stopper along with air entry
tube was removed
2. Water was then poured into the vessel and the stopper replaced to ensure an
airtight seal.
3. A gentle blow was applied to the air entry tube to remove any air trapped in the
capillaries
4. After this this air entry tube was sealed to prevent water from dripping down.

Instrument Setup
1. The infiltration ring was firmly inserted into the ground and a hole dug a few inches
from the ring into which the collecting can was inserted
2. Height of the water in the vessel was recorded
3. The air entry tube was then removed whilst simultaneously starting the stop watch
 Field Infiltrability Test

4. During this period the vessel was rotated at every minute interval.
5. Immediately after the water started coming out the pipe into the collecting can the
time Tro was recorded
6. The collecting can was replaced after every 3 minutes and the water placed in a
measuring cylinder
7. The runoff water collected was and measured and recorded and the time at which it
was collected was also recorded.
8. Steps 6 and 7 are repeated until the water level was below the height of the air entry
tube
9. The height of water in the vessel at the last record of time was also recorded

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

Time (t) ≈ 3 minutes capillary tube height = 19.8 cm

INITIAL WATER LEVEL (H1) FINAL WATER LEVEL (H2)

32.3 29.9
29.9 27.2

Site 1 (Virgin Land)

H1 = 50cm
𝑻𝒇 = 29.46 mins

H2 = 20cm
Time of runoff = 37 seconds

Runoff rate

𝑉𝑡
𝑟𝑜𝑡 =
457.3 × 𝑡
 Field Infiltrability Test

INFILTRATION RATE

𝑖𝑡 = 𝑟 − 𝑟𝑜𝑡

The simulated rainfall rate

𝐻1 − 𝐻2
𝑟 =
𝑇𝑓
50 − 20
𝑟 =
29.46

r = 1.02cm/min

TIME (MINS) WATER RUNOFF RUNOFF RATE, INFILTRATION

LEVEL (CM) VOLUME ROT(CM/MIN) RATE,
(CM3) IT(CM/MIN)
3.37 41.3 580 0.42 0.60
6.37 38.9 510 0.37 0.65
9.37 36.7 460 0.34 0.68
12.37 34.5 483 0.35 0.67
15.11 32.6 1600 1.28 -0.26
17.38 29.7 1000 0.96 0.06
20.20 27.7 920 0.71 0.31
22.46 25.8 860 0.83 0.19
25.16 23.8 890 0.72 0.30
27.40 21.7 850 0.83 0.19
29.46 20.0 0 0.000 1.02
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1.4

1.2

1
Flux Density (cm/min)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
-0.2

-0.4
Time (minutes)

Site 2 (Cultivated Land)

H1 = 50cm
𝑻𝒇 = 30.56 mins

H2 = 19.9cm
Time of runoff = 1.39 mins

Runoff rate

𝑉𝑡
𝑟𝑜𝑡 =
457.3 × 𝑡

INFILTRATION RATE
 Field Infiltrability Test

𝑖𝑡 = 𝑟 − 𝑟𝑜𝑡

The simulated rainfall rate

𝐻1 − 𝐻2
𝑟 =
𝑇𝑓
50 − 19.9
𝑟 =
30.56

r = 0.95cm/min

TIME (MINS) WATER LEVEL RUNOFF RUNOFF INFILTRATION

(CM) VOLUME RATE, RATE,
(CM3) ROT(CM/MIN) IT(CM/MIN)
4.39 39.9 27 0.02 0.93
7.40 36.6 38 0.03 0.92
10.40 34.2 39 0.03 0.92
13.40 32.3 39 0.03 0.92
16.40 29.8 480 0.35 0.60
19.39 29.7 780 0.57 0.38
22.40 27.2 950 0.69 0.26
26.10 24.9 480 0.28 0.67
29.11 22.7 490 0.36 0.59
30.56 19.9 530 0.80 0.15
 Field Infiltrability Test

1
0.9
0.8
Flux Density (cm/min)

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time (minutes)

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ERROR

 Over shooting runoff
 Compaction of soil due to rain falling on the same spot
 Clogged capillaries
 Inconsistency when taking timing measuring intervals

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
For the undisturbed land bar some inconsistences in the results there generally a lower
rate of infiltration in comparison to the disturbed soil particles this is due to the higher
particle spacing found in the cultivated soil.
Owing to this we also found that the start of runoff came faster for the virgin as compared
to the cultivated land as it saturated faster.
However, there was a very slight difference in the run off rates as both soils had saturated
with the cultivated landed showing the slightly lower values.
 Field Infiltrability Test

CONCLUSION
The infiltration rate is generally highest when the soil is dry. As the soil becomes
wet, the infiltration rate slows to the rate at which water moves through the most
restrictive layer, such as a compacted layer or a layer of dense clay. Infiltration rates
decline as water temperature approaches freezing. Little Or no water penetrates the
surface of frozen or saturated soils.
 Field Infiltrability Test

References
Dietrich, H. (2005) Procedure for Determining Soil Particle Size Using the Hydrometer
Method. SOP METH004.00. Environmental Monitoring Branch, DPR. Available on-line:
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/pubs/sop.htm.

Garretson, C. (1999a). Soil Water Content Determination. SOP METH001.00. Environmental

Monitoring Branch, DPR. Available on-line:
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/pubs/sop.htm.

Garretson, C. (1999c). Soil Bulk Density Determination. SOP FSSO001.00. Environmental

Monitoring Branch, DPR. Available on-line:
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/pubs/sop.htm.

Garretson, C. (1999b). Soil Sampling, Including Auger and Surface Soil Procedures. SOP
FSSO002.00. Environmental Monitoring Branch, DPR. Available on-line:
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/pubs/sop.htm.