DETERMINING THE SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
R.J. Oosterbaan and H.J. Nijland
 
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Copy of chapter 12 in: H.P.Ritzema (Ed.), Drainage Principles and Applications,
ILRI Publication 16, second revised edition, 1994, Wageningen, The Netherlands
 
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12. Determining the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils   This paper is about the characteristics of hydraulic conductivity in soils. Thereafter it discusses how drainage conditions are influence by the conductivity. A classification is given of methods to measure the hydraulic conductivity and each method is explained in detail. TABLE OF CONTENTS 12.1 Introduction   12.2 Definitions   12.3 Variability of hydraulic conductivity       nbsp; 12.3.1.Introduction         12.3.2 Variability within soil layers         12.3.3. Variability between soil layers         12.3.4. Seasonal variability and time trend         12.3.5. Soil salinity, sodicity, and acidity         12.3.6. Geo-morphology   12.4 Drainage conditions and hydraulic conductivity         12.4.1. Introduction         12.4.2. Unconfined aquifers         12.4.3. Semi-confined aquifers         12.4.4. Land slope         12.4.5. Effective soil depth   12.5 Review of the methods of determination         12.5.1. Introduction         12.5.2. Correlation methods         12.5.3. Hydraulic laboratory methods         12.5.4. Small-scale in-situ methods         12.5.5. Large-scale in-situ methods   12.6 Examples of small-scale in-situ methods         12.6.1. The auger-hole method         12.6.2. Inversed auger-hole method   12.7 Examples of methods using parallel drains         12.7.1. Introduction         12.7.2. Procedures of analysis         12.7.3. Drains with entrance resistance, deep soil         12.7.4. Drains with entrance resistance, shallow soil         12.7.5. Ideal drains, medium soil depth   References

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The table shows the methods for determining the hydraulic conductivity of soils. The below-watertable-methods include the piezometer and augerhole methods. Above the watertable the infiltrometer is used. The correlation methods are based on pore size and grain size distributions of the soil. In addition the soil texture plays a role. Amongst the large scale methods features the pumping test.

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