DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED DOUBLE-RING INFILTROMETER

A double-ring infiltrometer is often used for measuring infiltration c haracteristics in the field, but the measurements are time-consuming a nd tedious, especially when several tests are to be monitored at a sit e. This is because the infiltrometer in its present form requires cont inuous attention and therefore limits the number of tests that can be monitored at a site in a given time. An automated double-ring infiltro meter has been developed to overcome these limitations. It consists of inner and outer rings, water level sensors, water container, depth se nsor, solenoid valves, 12-volt car battery, laptop computer, and softw are to perform recording and basic analysis of the infiltration data. The infiltrometer requires little attention once the test is started a nd the computer provides up-to-the-minute summary of infiltration resu lts while the test is still in progress. The automated infiltrometer w orked very satisfactorily during the field trials and has considerable potential as a research and teaching tool.