Premium
Miniature Rain Simulator for Field Measurement of Soil Infiltration
Author(s) -
Ogden C. B.,
Es H. M.,
Schindelbeck R. R.
Publication year - 1997
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/sssaj1997.03615995006100040008x
Subject(s) - capillary action , infiltration (hvac) , surface runoff , pressure head , environmental science , pressure drop , drop (telecommunication) , volumetric flow rate , hagen–poiseuille equation , materials science , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , hydrology (agriculture) , simulation , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , computer science , composite material , engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , ecology , biology
In studies of erosion, runoff, and infiltration, high soil variability may demand many replicate measurements and rapid, inexpensive methodology. We developed a drop‐forming rainfall simulator in which flow through long, coiled capillary drip tubes is controlled by an adjustable Mariotte‐type bubbling tube. These rain simulators are inexpensive, rugged, simple to operate, easily transported, and require minimal maintenance. Responses to pressure head and water temperature changes were determined for two simulators using tap water. Flow response to pressure head changes corresponded closely to that predicted by Poiseuille's Law. Response to increasing water temperatures was somewhat less than predicted, due to formation of bubbles in the capillary tubes. Simulators incorporating long, coiled capillary tubes can provide combinations of low flow rates and large drop sizes, or a desired range of flow rates when appropriate drip tube diameters, lengths, and numbers of tubes per unit area are combined.