Laboratory studies on soil moisture flow and runoff generation in laterite soil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52151/Abstract
A study was conducted to analyse the saturated and unsaturated flow of water in laterite soil under selected precipitation intensities with a view to establishing a relation between hydraulic conductivity, moisture content and hydraulic head. Runoff generation and relation between runoff and soil moisture status were also considered. A rainfall simulator and soil trough were fabricated. The simulated raindrops resembled natural raindrops of size 5.4mm having terminal velocity of 9.29m1s. Instantaneous profile method was used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity. Experiments were carried out at rainfall intensities of 20, 40, 90 and 285mmlh at no slope condition and also at 10% and 20% slopes. The relation between hydraulic conductivity and volumetric moisture content was found to be exponential. The volumetric moisture content - hydraulic head relation was of the form H = a Ā Bedrock inclination was found a major factor governing subsurface drainage.
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References
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