Research Article
Infiltration and Bypass Flow of Cracking Puddled Soils

M.J. Islam, S.S. Parul, M.A. Rashid and M.S. Islam

Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2004, 7(1), 82-86.

Abstract

A study of infiltration and bypass flow was conducted in a wet soil bin with three different soils treatments (sandy loam, clay loam and clay soil) to determine the swelling behaviour of cracking puddled soils by watering and its impact on bypass flow. Infiltration rate for the soils was recorded after puddling the soils. Then the puddled soils were allowed to dry for a period of up to 15 days. After that the plots were rewetted in order to observe the swelling and bypass behaviour of cracked soils. From this study it is observed that the infiltration rates of puddled soils were very low (0.03-0.05 mm h^-1) mainly due to the puddling effect. The study indicates that cracks on puddled soils at 15th day’s of drying are effectively irreversible. The maximum bypass flow was recorded for the clay loam soil. During the first day, the flow rate was extremely high at 313 mm h^-1. But this higher rate gradually reduced from the second day and onwards. The bypass flow rate for the clay loam and clay soil was almost same. The study reveals that it is not possible to swell up shrinkage cracks on puddled soils by watering alone. Re-working of the soil is necessary to seal the cracks.

ASCI-ID: 1-2989

Cited References Fulltext

Cited By

Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2013, 139(2), 167. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000621