DETERMINING THE SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
R.J. Oosterbaan and H.J. Nijland
 
 On web site www.waterlog.info
 
 Copy of chapter 12 in: H.P.Ritzema (Ed.), Drainage Principles and Applications,
ILRI Publication 16, second revised edition, 1994, Wageningen, The Netherlands
 
 Download or view the chapter from the FAQ's page
 
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
 
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various methods for determining of hydraulic conductivity 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.