INFILTRATION AND

PERCOLATION:
PROCESSES AND MEASUREMENTS
I. INFILTRATION
It is the process by which water on the
ground surface enters the soil.
I. INFILTRATION

It is downward entry of water into the soil or rock surface.

I. INFILTRATION

Its rate in soil science is a measure of the rate at

which soil is able to absorb rainfall or irrigation. It is
measured in inches per hour or millimeters per hour.
I. INFILTRATION
It is governed by two forces: gravity and
capillary actions.
 A. PROCESS

The process of infiltration can continue only if there is

room for additional water at the soil surface. The
available volume for additional water in the soil depends
on the porosity of the soil and the rate at which
previously on filtrated water can move away from the
surface through the soil.
A. PROCESS
The maximum rate that water can enter a soil in a
given condition is the infiltration capacity.
B. MEASUREMENT
Information about the infiltration characteristics of the
soil at a given location can be obtained by conducting
controlled experiments on small area through
infiltrometers. There are two types: Flooding Type –
simple and double ring type infiltrometers, and Rainfall
Simulator.
FLOODING TYPE
The ring infiltrometer is a simple
device used to measure the
infiltration capacity of a soil. An
open cylindrical ring is forced a
few centimeters into the soil and
filled with water. By measuring
the rate at which the level of
ponded water decreases, one
can obtain an estimate of the
infiltration capacity as a function
of time.
DOUBLE RING INFILTROMETER

In double ring type the outer ring provides water

jacket to the infiltrating water from the inner ring and
hence prevents the spreading out of the infiltrating
water from the inner ring.
SINGLE RING INFILTROMETER
In simple/single ring
infiltrometer infiltrated water
spreads out in outer adjoining
area leading to over-
estimation.
RAINFALL SIMULATORS
They give lower values off than flooding type. This
is due to effect of the rainfall impact and turbidity
of the surface water.
II. PERCOLATION
Is the process of a liquid slowly passing through a
filter.
Comes from the Latin word percolare, which means “to
strain through.”
II. PERCOLATION
It happens when liquid is
strained through a filter.
The flow of water through
soil and porous or fractured
rock.
II. PERCOLATION
It is the movement of water through the soil, and it’s
layers, by gravity and capillary forces.
A. PROCESS
Usually the direction of water movement is
changed from downward and a horizontal
component to the movement is added that is based
on the geologic boundary conditions.
A. PROCESS
The movement of water is possible because of the
voids or pores in the geologic formations.
B. MEASUREMENT
Percometer is a convenient device for measuring
the percolation rate.
B. MEASUREMENT
Percometer
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