Hydraulic conductivity of variably-saturated soils is critical to understanding processes at the land surface. Yet measuring it over an area comparable to the resolution of land-surface models is fraught because of its strong spatial and temporal variations, which render point measurements nearly useless. We derived unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at the horizontal scale of hectometers and the vertical scale of decimeters by analyzing trends in soil moisture measured using the cosmic-ray neutron method. The resulting effective hydraulic conductivity remains close to its value at saturation over approximately half of the saturation range and then plummets. It agrees with the aggregate of 36 point measurements near saturation, but becomes progressively higher at lower water contents; the difference is potentially reconcilable by upscaling of point measurements. This study shows the feasibility of the cosmic-ray method, highlights the importance of measurement scale, and provides a route toward better understanding of land-surface processes.

A função condutividade hidráulica é um dos parâmetros essenciais para o estudo do fluxo em solos não saturados, permitindo abordar, dentre outros, o avanço da frente de umedecimento e questões como a irrigação e drenagem de solos. Para determinar a condutividade hidráulica não saturada de um solo típico da região Centro-Oeste do Estado de São Paulo, utilizou-se o infiltrômetro de disco. Este equipamento permite conduzir a infiltração de água, estando esta sujeita a um potencial negativo. Com os dados de infiltração acumulada e tempo acumulado obtidos em cada ensaio, foi possível determinar os valores da condutividade hidráulica não saturada e sortividade. Os cálculos foram feitos por diferentes métodos para cada ensaio realizado com o infiltrômetro de disco e comparadas com resultados de ensaios utilizando o permeâmetro Guelph. Observou-se que as condutividades hidráulica não saturadas obtidas com o infiltrômetro de disco tenderam a valores próximos das fornecidas indiretamente por meio do permeâmetro Guelph, com dispersão de aproximadamente uma ordem de grandeza para cada sucção. Também se observou que a condutividade hidráulica não saturada tende a diminuir conforme aumenta a sucção imposta ao solo, mesmo considerando a estreita faixa de sucções usadas nos ensaios. Notou-se ainda pequena variação nas condutividades hidráulicas saturadas calculadas por meio do infiltrômetro de disco, por meio de medidas diretas utilizando o permeâmetro Guelph e ensaios de permeabilidade realizados em laboratório. / The hydraulic conductivity function is essential to the study of water flow in unsaturated soils. From function there can be derived the advancement of the humidification (saturation) front, among other parameters, which is essential to projects of irrigation and drainage of soils. A disk infiltrometer was used to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of a sample of typical soil from central São Paulo, Brazil. The disk infiltrometer apparatus conducts the infiltration water, which is held at negative potential. Data for cumulative infiltration and elapsed time for each test was used to determine values of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity. Different methodology was applied in the calculations. Data for each experiment carried out utilizing the disk infiltrometer was compared to data obtained utilizing the permeameter of Guelph. It was observed that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity obtained through the disk infiltrometer yielded values near those obtained indirectly by the permeameter of Guelph, which showed dispersion approximately within one order of magnitude for each suctioning performed. Furthermore, it was observed that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity tends to diminish in magnitude in an inverse relation to the suction pressure subjected by the soil, even after considering the narrow band of suction pressures carried out in the tests. It was further observed a small variation in the saturated hydraulic conductivities computed from data obtained directly from the infiltrometer disk, the permeameter of Guelph, and other permeability tests done in laboratory.

A condutividade hidráulica de dois solos não saturados típicos da região de São Carlos, um arenoso e outro argiloso é estudada através de ensaios de campo empregando o permeâmetro Guelph. Duas alternativas de ensaio foram empregadas e os resultados experimentais foram analisados com os modelo teóricos de REYNOLDS e ELRICK (1985) e PHILIP (1985). Paralelamente, obtiveram-se em laboratório curvas de retenção de água dos solos o que possibilitou determinar a função condutividade hidráulica através das fórmulas empíricas de VAN GENUCHTEN, (1980) e de GARDNER (1958). As características e a variação dos valores da condutividade hidráulica não saturada de campo fornecidos pelo permeâmetro Guelph, são discutidos e confrontados com aqueles obtidos a partir dos métodos indiretos provenientes de laboratório. Observou-se que as condutividades hidráulicas saturadas nos solos foram praticamente iguais, quer se considerem os resultados de campo ou laboratório. Os resultados de campo mostraram-se mais consistentes para o solo argiloso qualquer que tenha sido a técnica de ensaio. O parâmetro &#945 da equação de GARDNER (1958) obtido no campo resultou maior que o valor sugerido na literatura ou obtido em laboratório para o solo arenoso. Para o solo argiloso, todas as opções de obtenção do parâmetro tenderam a fornecer valores praticamente iguais. / The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of two typical soils from the region of São Carlos City, sandy and clayey soils, has been studied through field tests using the Guelph permeameter. Two different alternatives of tests have been performed and the experimental data have been analyzed following the theoretical models from REYNOLDS and ELRICK (1985) and PHILIP (1985). However, soil-water characteristic curves were obtained in such a way that the hydraulic conductivity function could be evaluated using the empirical expressions from VAN GENUCHTEN (1980), and GARDNER (1958). The characteristics and the variation of the field unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values from the Guelph permeameter are discussed and compared to those from laboratory indirect methods. The field results showed to be more consistent to the clayey soil independent on the test or calculation method. The &#945 value (GARDNER, 1958) parameter obtained in the fields was Iarger than the values suggested in the literature or obtained in laboratory for the sandy soil. To the clayey soil, all the obtaining options of the parameter tended to supply values quite the same.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T12:34:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 3072665 bytes, checksum: 5059ff6769784ba9baead96238de083b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In geotechnical problems of flow, the main variables that characterize the hydraulic behavior in an unsaturated medium, is the water retention curve (WRC) and the hydraulic conductivity function (HCF) of the soil. Experimental determination of these properties is generally time-consuming and costly, leading professionals to use simplifications that may eventually prejudice the projects, increasing costs and compromising safety. In order to help reduce this difficulty, in this thesis, a procedure and equipment adapted into a small centrifuge commonly used in medical applications were developed, allowingto obtain hydraulic properties (WRC and HCF) of soils in a much shorter time. The technique involves exposing soil samples initially saturated to a circular motion, resulting in a centripetal acceleration and a mass force sufficient to overcome capillarity and force fluid drainage. The equipment is able to simultaneously obtain four WRCs and four HCFs. To verify the performance of the new equipment, two soils with different characteristics, one clayey sand (SC) and a high plasticity clay (CH), were tested. The WRCs obtained with the centrifugewere compared with ones obtained by traditional methods offilter paper and pressure plate. Comparisons were appropriate up to suctions of the order of 500 kPa, the current limit of the equipment developed. For soils that require higher suctions, a proposal was made to add to the data obtained with the centrifuge, a point given by the filter paper close to the residual moisture of the soil. The methodology for obtaining the HCF is of the transient type using multiple steps, in which one applies an increase in the matric suction value, and measure the volume of water that flows out of the specimen. The HCFs obtained by centrifugal method were compared with the one given by the theoretical model of van Genuchten- Mualen and points directly measured with a flexible wall permeameter and constant flow application developed by Guimarãeset. al. (2008).Comparisons were good, especially for the thicker texture soil (SC). The maximum times to obtain the WRCs and HCFs were two days for soil SC and three days for soil CH. The methodology is efficient and reduces, significantly, the time required to obtain hydraulic properties of soils. / Em problemas geotécnicos de fluxo, as principais variáveis que caracterizam o comportamento hidráulico em um meio não saturado, são a curva de retenção de água (CRA) e a função de condutividade hidráulica (FCH) do solo. A determinação experimental destas propriedades é, geralmente, demorada e onerosa, levando os profissionais a utilizar simplificações que, eventualmente, podem prejudicar osprojetos, aumentando os custos e comprometendo a segurança. No sentido de contribuir para diminuir esta dificuldade, desenvolveu-se nesta tese, um procedimento e aparatos que, adaptados em uma centrifuga de pequeno porte comumente usada em aplicações médicas, permitem obter as propriedades hidráulicas (CRA e FCH) de solos em um tempo bem menor. A técnica consiste em expor amostras de solos inicialmente saturadas a um movimento circular, gerando uma aceleração centrípeta e uma força de massa suficiente para vencer as forças capilares e forçar a drenagem do fluido. O equipamento é capaz de obter simultaneamente quatro CRAs e quatro FCH. Para verificar o funcionamento do novo equipamento, foram utilizados dois solos com características distintas, uma areia argilosa (SC) e uma argila de alta plasticidade (CH). As CRAs obtidas por meio da centrífuga foram comparadas com as CRAs obtidas pelos métodos tradicionais do papel filtro e da placa de pressão. As comparações foram adequadas até sucções da ordem de 500 kPa, atual limite do equipamento desenvolvido. Para solos que necessitem de sucções mais altas, foi apresentada uma proposta de acrescentar aos dados obtidos com a centrífuga, um ponto obtido por meio do papel filtro com umidade próxima da residual. A metodologia para obtenção da FCH é a do regime transiente por passos múltiplos, na qual se aplica um acréscimo no valor da sucção matricial e mede-se o volume de água que sai do corpo de prova. AsFCHs obtidas pelo método centrífugo foram comparadas com ado modelo teórico de van Genuchten-Mualen e com pontos medidos diretamente com um permeâmetro de parede flexível e aplicação de vazão constante desenvolvido por Guimarães et. al. (2008). As comparações ficaram boas, principalmente, para o solo com textura mais grossa (SC). Os tempos máximos para obtenção das CRAs e FCHs foram de dois dias para o solo SC e de três dias para o solo CH. A metodologia desenvolvida se mostrou eficiente, reduzindo substancialmente o tempo necessário para se obter as propriedades hidráulicas de solos.

A condutividade hidráulica de dois solos não saturados típicos da região de São Carlos, um arenoso e outro argiloso é estudada através de ensaios de campo empregando o permeâmetro Guelph. Duas alternativas de ensaio foram empregadas e os resultados experimentais foram analisados com os modelo teóricos de REYNOLDS e ELRICK (1985) e PHILIP (1985). Paralelamente, obtiveram-se em laboratório curvas de retenção de água dos solos o que possibilitou determinar a função condutividade hidráulica através das fórmulas empíricas de VAN GENUCHTEN, (1980) e de GARDNER (1958). As características e a variação dos valores da condutividade hidráulica não saturada de campo fornecidos pelo permeâmetro Guelph, são discutidos e confrontados com aqueles obtidos a partir dos métodos indiretos provenientes de laboratório. Observou-se que as condutividades hidráulicas saturadas nos solos foram praticamente iguais, quer se considerem os resultados de campo ou laboratório. Os resultados de campo mostraram-se mais consistentes para o solo argiloso qualquer que tenha sido a técnica de ensaio. O parâmetro &#945 da equação de GARDNER (1958) obtido no campo resultou maior que o valor sugerido na literatura ou obtido em laboratório para o solo arenoso. Para o solo argiloso, todas as opções de obtenção do parâmetro tenderam a fornecer valores praticamente iguais. / The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of two typical soils from the region of São Carlos City, sandy and clayey soils, has been studied through field tests using the Guelph permeameter. Two different alternatives of tests have been performed and the experimental data have been analyzed following the theoretical models from REYNOLDS and ELRICK (1985) and PHILIP (1985). However, soil-water characteristic curves were obtained in such a way that the hydraulic conductivity function could be evaluated using the empirical expressions from VAN GENUCHTEN (1980), and GARDNER (1958). The characteristics and the variation of the field unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values from the Guelph permeameter are discussed and compared to those from laboratory indirect methods. The field results showed to be more consistent to the clayey soil independent on the test or calculation method. The &#945 value (GARDNER, 1958) parameter obtained in the fields was Iarger than the values suggested in the literature or obtained in laboratory for the sandy soil. To the clayey soil, all the obtaining options of the parameter tended to supply values quite the same.

A função condutividade hidráulica é um dos parâmetros essenciais para o estudo do fluxo em solos não saturados, permitindo abordar, dentre outros, o avanço da frente de umedecimento e questões como a irrigação e drenagem de solos. Para determinar a condutividade hidráulica não saturada de um solo típico da região Centro-Oeste do Estado de São Paulo, utilizou-se o infiltrômetro de disco. Este equipamento permite conduzir a infiltração de água, estando esta sujeita a um potencial negativo. Com os dados de infiltração acumulada e tempo acumulado obtidos em cada ensaio, foi possível determinar os valores da condutividade hidráulica não saturada e sortividade. Os cálculos foram feitos por diferentes métodos para cada ensaio realizado com o infiltrômetro de disco e comparadas com resultados de ensaios utilizando o permeâmetro Guelph. Observou-se que as condutividades hidráulica não saturadas obtidas com o infiltrômetro de disco tenderam a valores próximos das fornecidas indiretamente por meio do permeâmetro Guelph, com dispersão de aproximadamente uma ordem de grandeza para cada sucção. Também se observou que a condutividade hidráulica não saturada tende a diminuir conforme aumenta a sucção imposta ao solo, mesmo considerando a estreita faixa de sucções usadas nos ensaios. Notou-se ainda pequena variação nas condutividades hidráulicas saturadas calculadas por meio do infiltrômetro de disco, por meio de medidas diretas utilizando o permeâmetro Guelph e ensaios de permeabilidade realizados em laboratório. / The hydraulic conductivity function is essential to the study of water flow in unsaturated soils. From function there can be derived the advancement of the humidification (saturation) front, among other parameters, which is essential to projects of irrigation and drainage of soils. A disk infiltrometer was used to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of a sample of typical soil from central São Paulo, Brazil. The disk infiltrometer apparatus conducts the infiltration water, which is held at negative potential. Data for cumulative infiltration and elapsed time for each test was used to determine values of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity. Different methodology was applied in the calculations. Data for each experiment carried out utilizing the disk infiltrometer was compared to data obtained utilizing the permeameter of Guelph. It was observed that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity obtained through the disk infiltrometer yielded values near those obtained indirectly by the permeameter of Guelph, which showed dispersion approximately within one order of magnitude for each suctioning performed. Furthermore, it was observed that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity tends to diminish in magnitude in an inverse relation to the suction pressure subjected by the soil, even after considering the narrow band of suction pressures carried out in the tests. It was further observed a small variation in the saturated hydraulic conductivities computed from data obtained directly from the infiltrometer disk, the permeameter of Guelph, and other permeability tests done in laboratory.

The diploma thesis is focused on issues of measurement and evaluation of hydraulic characteristics of soil. In the literary research, the definitions of hydraulic conductivity and retention curve of soil moisture, their measurements in laboratory and field conditions and the prediction of these characteristics by using of pedotransfer functions. In the practical part of the diploma thesis, an evaluation of the hydraulic conductivity of soil from the experimental areas near the village Bohaté Málkovice. Two-cylindrical and mini-disc infiltration meters were used for field measurements, and a constant-gradient permeameter was used in the laboratory. Physical and empirical equations were used to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity. The results were processed numerically, tabulated and then compared.

The influence of soil water repellency (WR) on vegetation recovery after a fire is poorly understood. This dissertation presents strategies to broaden opportunities for enhanced post-fire rangeland restoration and monitoring of burned piñon and juniper (P-J) woodlands by: 1) mapping the extent and severity of critical and subcritical WR, 2) determining the influence of WR on soil ecohydrologic properties and revegetation success, and 3) evaluating the suitability of a wetting agent composed of alkylpolyglycoside-ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers as a post-fire restoration tool for ameliorating the effects of soil WR and increasing seedling establishment. Results indicate that: • Post-fire patterns of soil WR were highly correlated to pre-fire P-J woodland canopy structure. Critical soil WR levels occurred under burned tree canopies while sub-critical WR extended out to approximately two times the canopy radius. At sites where critical soil WR was present, infiltration rate, soil moisture, and vegetation cover were significantly less than at non-hydrophobic sites. These parameters were also reduced in soils with subcritical WR relative to non-hydrophobic soils (albeit to a lesser extent). Aerial photography coupled with feature extraction software and geographic information systems (GIS) proved to be an effective tool for mapping P-J cover and density, and for scaling-up field surveys of soil WR to the fire boundary scale. • Soil WR impairs seed germination and seedling establishment by decreasing soil moisture availability by reducing infiltration, decreasing soil moisture storage capacity, and disconnecting soil surface layers from underlying moisture reserves. Consequently, soil WR appears to be acting as a temporal ecological threshold by impairing establishment of desired species within the first few years after a fire. • Wetting agents can significantly improve ecohydrologic properties required for plant growth by overcoming soil WR; thus, increasing the amount and duration of available water for seed germination and seedling establishment. Success of this technology appears to be the result of the wetting agent increasing soil moisture amount and availability by 1) improving soil infiltration and water holding capacity; and 2) allowing seedling roots to connect to underling soil moisture reserves.

This thesis deals with the theoretical description of the infiltration process and field measurements of infiltration in the cadastral territory of Bohaté Málkovice. The research work carried out in 2011 in an experimental area on Haplic Chernozem/FAO, medium-heavy loam soil. The experimental area was divided into two parts, the topsoil layer on these surfaces was processed by both classic and minimization technologies. The plots were sown by spring barley. The applied measurements of water infiltration into the soil were two-cylinder method and MiniDisc. Within the vicinity of the infiltration experiments with intact soil were collected samples for laboratory determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity. From the field measurements and laboratory experiments were determined values of hydraulic conductivity (saturated and unsaturated), and other infiltration characteristics, the cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate. To evaluate the infiltration of the heats was used three-paramether Philp type equation that provides a good estimate of saturated hydraulic conductivity. For the evaluation of the MiniDisc there was used the Zangova method that provides the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. The laboratory evaluation of the saturated hydraulic conductivity was compared with the estimated values obtained from the field measurements. The values of the saturated hydraulic conductivity from the laboratory measurements are closely comparable with estimates obtained from the steady infiltration rates from the field experiments. The research results also showed that medium-heavy loam soil, when being processed by minimization including modification of the soil surface by digging, have a positive effect on the infiltration of water into the soil. This fact leads to a higher protection plants in the vegetative period and improvement of the retention and storage capacity of soil.

No description available.