The use of a tension infiltrometer in compaction assessment
| MSI99P0091 | |
| Ng Cheong, L. R. | |
| Cranfield Institute of Technology, Silsoe College, Silsoe, GB | |
| The use of a tension infiltrometer in compaction assessment | |
| Thesis, MSc, Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Engineering Option) | |
| Thesis | |
| 1991 | |
| 48 p.: 10 figs., 6 tbls., 4 pl. | |
| En | |
| En | |
| Compaction is a major problem in agriculture and is mainly caused by field traffic. With the expected acceleration in mechanization in Mauritius, fears exist that soils will be rapidly compacted as traffic load increases. A rapid and sensitive method is required to assess degree of compaction of the soil. A tension infiltrometer was tested on a sandy soil, both in the lab and in the field, to determine whether it was the right tool for this purpose. The methodology was also changed, with filter paper replacing sand as contact medium. It was found that sorptivity could not be deduced but that a constant c from the Kostiakov equation could be estimated. The lab results showed that infiltration was faster on denser soils and that the constant c increased with increasing bulk density. However, it was also found in the field that the uncompacted soil infiltrated water at a faster rate. It was not possible to find an exact reason as to why lab and field results should be in such complete opposition. It was also found that the use of the filter paper made the method easier and faster, but doubts were expressed about its effectiveness as a contact medium. It was concluded that more field work is required with the apparatus to decide whether the latter can really be used to assess compaction, especially in view of the contradictory results | |
| SOIL COMPACTION INFILTROMETERS SOIL STRUCTURE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL SOILS Mechanization | |
| MAURITIUS | |
| Sugarcane: Cultural operations | |
| Mechanization: Soil compaction | |
| 1991-12-30 | |
| En | |
| Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute | |
| LIB BOT | |
| CAT | |
| BOT |