Premium
Submersible Pressure Outflow Cell for Measurement of Soil Water Retention and Diffusivity from 5 to 95°C
Author(s) -
Constantz Jim,
Herkelrath W. N.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1984.03615995004800010002x
Subject(s) - water content , thermal diffusivity , water retention , capillary action , capillary pressure , water retention curve , outflow , soil water , water potential , isobaric process , soil science , moisture , chemistry , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , porous medium , porosity , geotechnical engineering , materials science , thermodynamics , geology , composite material , physics , organic chemistry , oceanography
A technique was developed to measure water content in soil as a function of capillary pressure from 5 to 95°C. To overcome problems encountered at high temperature, a modified Tempe pressure cell containing a soil sample is suspended in a constant‐temperature water bath. The cell's porous plate is in direct contact with circulating bath water, thus eliminating the problem of entrapped air bubbles. A balance located above the water bath measures water content changes in the soil by weighing the entire pressure cell under water. The technique is designed to measure soil water retention characteristics and to make transient outflow estimates of the soil water diffusivity at temperatures from 5 to 95°C. We also used the technique to determine the isobaric temperature dependence of water retention in soil. Results indicate that at constant capillary pressure, the relationship between moisture content and temperature is hysteretic.