Project Number: 6408-13000-018-02
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 24, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is: (1) to derive mathematical relationships of rain infiltration into heterogeneous soil profiles consisting of cracking soils and soils with vertical macropores or bio-channels, (2) to conduct experimental studies for validating derived relationships for soils with simulated, fixed crusts and developing dynamic seals, and (3) to conduct experimental and theoretical infiltration studies on sloping soils for assessing the incidence of seepage.

Approach:
Significant progress has been made in predicting infiltration into swelling/cracking and sealing/crusting soils. However, there is a need to improve existing relationships and to make them more applicable to relevant naturally occurring conditions and to validate derived relationshsips with experimental data. This study will consist of improving mathematical derivations by using polar coordinates for predicting infiltration into cracking soils and to use rainfall simulation approaches for validation purposes. A slope adjustable flume equipped with a rainfall simulator and soil water content and tension measurements will be used to determine the subsurface flow regime and points of water seepage.