Zhang et al. (2025) A new experimental methodology to determine the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in homogeneous soil

Identification

• Journal: CATENA
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-11-12
• Authors: Jing Zhang, Yingge Xie, Gao-Lin Wu
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109638

Research Groups

• North China University of Water Resources and Civil Engineering
• State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control, Northwest A & F University
• College of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University
• College of Science, Northwest A & F University
• Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resource

Short Summary

This study developed a new mathematics experiment method (MEM) for the rapid determination of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) in homogeneous soils, utilizing both horizontal and vertical infiltration rates. The MEM demonstrated strong agreement with established constant head and two-ponding depths methods, offering a robust and efficient measurement technique.

Objective

• To develop and validate a rapid mathematics experiment method (MEM) for determining soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) in homogeneous soils by analyzing horizontal and vertical infiltration rates over short time periods.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Laboratory experiments conducted on two types of packed homogeneous soils under three different bulk densities. Comparisons were made with established laboratory (constant head) and field (two-ponding depths) methods.
• Temporal Scale: Short time periods, designed for rapid determination of Ks, with the method demonstrating independence from infiltration time.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A novel "mathematics experiment method (MEM)" was developed based on the hydrodynamics of water movement in soil. This method calculates Ks by subtracting the horizontal infiltration rate (driven by matric potential) from the vertical infiltration rate (driven by both matric and gravitational potentials) over a short duration.
• Data sources: Experimental measurements of horizontal and vertical infiltration rates obtained from packed homogeneous soil samples. Comparative data were collected using the laboratory constant head (CH) method and the field two-ponding depths (TPD) steady-state method.

Main Results

• The Ks values determined by the MEM were found to be independent of infiltration time for homogeneous soils.
• Ks values obtained from MEM showed excellent agreement with those from the CH and TPD methods.
• Proportional coefficients between MEM and reference methods ranged from 0.93 to 1.09.
• Determination coefficients (R²) were consistently greater than 0.95.
• Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values ranged from 1.197 × 10⁻⁷ m/s to 3.142 × 10⁻⁷ m/s.
• The proposed MEM is robust for estimating Ks from infiltration curves without requiring soil texture parameters.

Contributions

• Development of a novel, rapid, and convenient experimental methodology (MEM) for determining soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks).
• Significantly reduces the measurement time by eliminating the need for long stabilization periods typical of traditional steady-state methods.
• Simplifies the measurement process by not requiring soil texture parameters.
• Enhances the efficiency of Ks measurement, making it particularly suitable for applications in remote or arid regions.

Funding

Funding information is not available in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Zhang2025new,
  author = {Zhang, Jing and Xie, Yingge and Wu, Gao-Lin},
  title = {A new experimental methodology to determine the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in homogeneous soil},
  journal = {CATENA},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.catena.2025.109638},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.109638}
}