TITLE : INFILTRATION RATE TEST (PART B)

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To identify the characteristics of the infiltration rate of water into soils in the field.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to apply the knowledge and skills
they’ve learned to:
2.1 Understanding the concept of infiltration of water into soils.
2.2 Understanding on the factors which influence the infiltration rates.

3.0 THEORY

The volume of water used during each measured time interval is converted into an
incremental infiltration velocity for both the inner ring and annular space using the following
equations; where, is the inner ring incremental infiltration
velocity(cm/hr), is the volume of water used during time interval to maintain constant head
in the inner ring (mL), is the internal area of inner ring (cm 2) and is the time interval
(hour). For the annular space between rings, calculate as follows; where
is the annular space incremental infiltration velocity (cm/hr), is the volume of water
used during time interval to maintain constant head in the annular space between the rings (mL),
is the area of annular space (cm2) and is the time interval (hour).

The infiltration rate calculated with the inner ring should be the value used for results if
the rates for the inner ring and annular space differ. The difference in rates is due to divergent
flow.

4.0 EQUIPMENTS
1. Two stainless steels rings measure 12” and 24” diameter x 20” high.
2. Marriotte tube

5.0 PROCEDURES
1. Test is selected and the soil surface is prepared. The outer ring is driven into the soil
using a driving cap on the top which a wooden block is used o absorb the blow from a
hammer. The outer ring is inserted into a depth of less than 15cm by moving the wooden
block around the edges of the steel ring to prevent leaking of the test water.
2. After the outer ring is positioned, the inner ring is centered inside the outer ring and
driven to a depth about 5-10 cm that would prevent leakage of water to the ground
surface. Both the outer and inner ring is ensured that they are level. The soil surrounding
the wall of the ring(s) should be exempt of excessive disturbance. In case extensive
cracking or heave is observed, the ring(s) should be reset to a different location using a
technique that will minimize such disturbance
3. There were three ways to maintain constant head (water level) within the inner ring and
annular space. The first one is by manually control the flow liquid, second one is the use
of constant- level float valves, and lastly is the use of a mariotte tube. The latter option is
the most preferred one since it is auto-regulates water flow to the ring. Both rings are
filled with water to the same desired depth in each ring using a pair of water bottles. The
water flow from the marriotte tube can then be initiated.
4. The water level in the inner ring and in the annular space is measured (and recorded) to
the nearest 2 mm using a ruler or a tape measure as soon as the fluid level becomes
constant. The water level is maintained at a selected head (level) in both the inner ring
annular space between rings throughout the test to prevent flow of water from one ring to
the other.
5. The volume of water that is added to maintain a constant head in the inner ring. An
annular space during each timing interval is determined by measuring the change in
elevation of the water in the appropriate graduated marriotte tube. The volume of water
used to maintain the head is recorded for every 5 minutes intervals for at least 6 hours, or
until a relatively constant infiltration rate is achieved for average soils. The appropriate
reading frequency may be determined only through experience and may be more frequent
for high-K materials.
6.0 RESULT

Time (s) Rod reading (mm) Infiltration rate (mm/s) Infiltration capacity (mm/s)
0 226.8 - -
30 226.8 - -
60 226.8 - -
90 226.8 - -
120 226.8 - -
150 226.8 - -
180 226.8 - -
210 226.8 - -
240 226.8 - -
270 226.8 - -
=0.0013
300 227.2 0.0000+0.0013=0.0013
=0.0009
330 227.5 0.0013+0.0009=0.0022
=0.0006
360 227.7 0.0022+0.0006=0.0028
=0.0005
390 227.9 0.0028+0.0005=0.0033
=0.0005
420 228.1 0.0033+0.0005=0.0038
=0.0002
450 228.2 0.0038+0.0002=0.0040
=0.0002
480 228.3 0.0040+0.0002= 0.0042
=0.0004
510 228.5 0.0042+0.0004=0.0046
=0.0002
540 228.6 0.0046+0.0002=0.0048
=0.0002
570 228.7 0.0048+0.0002=0.0050
=0.0002
600 228.8 0.0050+0.0002=0.0052
=0.0002
630 228.9 0.0052+0.0002=0.0054
=0.0002
660 229.0 0.0054+0.0002=0.0056
=0.0001
690 229.1 0.0056+0.0001=0.0057
=0.0001
720 229.2 0.0057+0.0001=0.0058
 =0.0001
750 229.3 0.0058+0.0001=0.0059
=0.0001
780 229.4 0.0059+0.0001=0.0060
=0.0001
810 229.5 0.0060+0.0001=0.0061
=0.0002
840 229.7 0.0061+0.0002=0.0063
=0.0001
870 229.8 0.0063+0.0001=0.0064
=0.0001
900 229.9 0.0064=0.0001=0.0065
=0.0002
930 230.1 0.0065+0.0002=0.0067
=0.0002
960 230.3 0.0067+0.0002=0.0069
=0.0002
990 230.5 0.0069+0.0002=0.0071
=0.0001
1020 230.6 0.0071+0.0002=0.0072
=0.0001
1050 230.7 0.0072+0.0001=0.0073
=0.0001
1080 230.8 0.0073+0.0001=0.0074
=0.0001
1110 230.9 0.0074+0.0001=0.0075
1140 230.9 - -
1170 230.9 - -
1200 230.9 - -
Table 6.2: infiltration rate experiment results

7.0 DATA ANALYSIS

 Infiltration rate = final rod reading – initial rod reading

 time (sec)

 Infiltration capacity = final infiltration rate reading + initial infiltration

capacity reading

i. At time 330s,
time = 330s , final rod reading = 227.5 mm, initial rod reading = 227.2 mm

Infiltration rate = 227.5-227.2 mm

330s
= 0.0009 mm/s

Infiltration capacity = 0.0013+0.0009

=0.0022

8.0 QUESTIONS
1. Plot a graphs of:
a. Infiltration capacity versus time
b. Infiltration rate versus time.

2. From the graph in 1(b), please identify the basic of infiltration rate
From the graph of infiltration rate versus time, the basic of infiltration rate, f is

f = infiltration rate, cm/s, at time t, in second;

fo = 0.0357cm/s x 10mm/cm x 60s/min x 60min/hr

= 1285.2 mm/hr
fc = 0.0133 x 60s/min x 60min/hr
= 47.88 mm/hr

So, f =

= 47.88 + (1285.2 – 47.88) e-kt

= 47.88 + 1237.32 e-(1.5)(0.00833)
= 1269.84 mm/h

3. Sketch graphs of infiltration rate versus time for three different characteristics
of soils. Expand each graph.
a) Dry soil
Infiltration rate

Time

 From the graph above, we find that the infiltration rate is high at the first, but it
become decrease a little bit when the time increase and the graph become
constant with time elapsed at the last. A dry sample of soil will have the ability
to absorb more water and have a fast flow rate of water compare with other soil
like wet soil. Therefore, the infiltration rate in dry soil is higher than other soil.

b) Wet soil
Infiltration rate

Time
 From the graph above, we can conclude that the infiltration rate is high at the
first, but it decrease half of its initial rate and stayed constant with time
elapsed same as the dry soil. Although a wet sample normally have a constant
of flow rate, but the water flow rate might be slow than which in dry soil.
However, it mostly much than in a saturated soil. Therefore, the infiltration rate
in wet soil is satisfactory due to the time elapsed.

c) Saturated soil
Infiltration rate
 Time

 From the graph above, the infiltration rate is high at the first but
it decrease mostly of its initial rate and stayed constant with time elapsed.
A saturated sample is hard to flow water. This is because the void
between its particles is really small and the water difficult to flow through
it. Therefore, the infiltration rate in wet soil is low due to the time
elapsed..

9.0 DISCUSSION
 Based on the graph, we notice the infiltration rates are gradually decreased with time. The
rates of infiltration are dependents on the characteristic of rainfall events likes’ intensity,
duration, and distribution including soil type, natural surface and vegetative cover.

Each soil has their own characteristics. From the soil type we can determine and number
of capillary, which water may flow. Moisture content helps to identify capillary potential and
relative conductivity. For the soils which have low moisture capillary potential is high and
conductivity is low.

There have some errors may affect the accuracy of the actual result of this experiment.
 The inner and stainless steel may not at the same level.
 Parallax error when recorded the reading,
 The stainless steel doesn’t have a permanent scale that can affect the actual reading when
we are setting the level of the water.

In order to get a good result,

 Make sure the readings that have been taken are accurate.
 Record more reading to ensure the results are, more actual.

10.0 CONCLUSION
 The objective of experiment Part A, basic hidrology is to identify the relationship
between rainfall and runoff. We identified that rainfall and runoff influence each other. Results
indicated that each of the parameters representing the properties of the hydraulic conductivity
distribution on each Case 1 and 2 exerts an important influence on the statistical properties of
runoff events.

From this experiment we use the apparatus of basic hydrology. We can increase our
knowledge and see the real equipment for hydrology system that happens at catchment’s area.
From the hydrology graph that has been plot, we can determine the time concentration, rainfall
duration, peak discharge, runoff volume and storage volume. These data are important in
designing any hydraulic structure.

REFERENCES

 Mc Cuen ,R.H., Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Prentice Hall, New Jersy, 1989
 E.M. Wilson. Terjemahan oleh Fatimah bt Mohammad Noor, Hidrologi Kejuruteraan
(edisi 4) Unit Penerbitan Akademik UTM Skudai, 1992

 Alan L. Prasuhn (1987). Fundamentals of Hydraulic Engineering. New York. Ted

Buchholz.

 E.M. WILSON (1992). Hidrologi Kejuruteraan. Skudai, Johor : UTM.

 Hadibah Ismail, Fatimah Mohd. Noor , Azmahani A. Aziz (1996) Hidraulik

Saluran Terbuka . Skudai Johor; UTM.

 Fatimah Mohd. Noor, Faridah Jaffar Sidek, Goh Guit Keau (2000). Mekanik
Bendalir. Skudai, Johor: UTM