Sealed Double-Ring Infiltrometers for Estimating Very Low Hydraulic Conductivities
Neupane, D
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Bowders, JJ
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Loehr, JE
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Bouazza, A
Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Australia

Trautwein, SJ
Trautwein Soil Testing Company, Houston, TX

(Received 8 December 2003; accepted 1 September 2004)

Abstract
Sealed, Double-Ring Infiltrometers (SDRIs) are one of the preferred devices to measure infiltration rates of soil liners in the field. Existing SDRIs are well suited for measuring infiltration rates on materials with hydraulic conductivities on the order of 1×10^-9 m/s. A very low hydraulic conductivity material (<1×10^-10 m/s), such as low-k asphalt concrete, requires some modifications to the existing SDRI designs. A Constant Head Board (CHB) was designed and employed to replace the commonly used flexible bag to accomplish measurement of very small flow increments. Flow increments as low as 0.05 mL can be effectively measured with this technique enabling field hydraulic conductivities as low as 1×10^-11 m/s and possibly lower to be estimated in a matter of a day or two. The CHB is reliable, follows existing methods, and can account for the effects of temperature and barometric pressure changes on the flow rate.

Keywords:
asphalt impregnated geotextile, constant head board, flexible bag, hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, low-k asphalt concrete barrier, sealed double-ring infiltrometers, soil

Paper ID: GTJ12447
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ12447

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Author Neupane, D Affiliation Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Author Bowders, JJ Affiliation Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Author Loehr, JE Affiliation Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Author Bouazza, A Affiliation Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Australia Author Trautwein, SJ Affiliation Trautwein Soil Testing Company, Houston, TX Author Neupane D, Bowders JJ, Loehr JE, Bouazza A, Trautwein SJ Title Sealed Double-Ring Infiltrometers for Estimating Very Low Hydraulic Conductivities Symposium , Committee on