SUCTION CRUST INFILTROMETER FOR MEASURING HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF UNSATURATED SOIL NEAR SATURATION

The laborious crust test, used to measure unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, was modified into a more operational suction crust infiltrometer. By varying the level of the mariotte tube inside the feeder burette, different negative pressure heads can be imposed on a soil sample. Unit gradient during the measurement was ensured by adjusting the water level in the draining column under the sample. Only one crust has to be produced, which leads to less disturbances and significant savings of time. Perfect contact between crust and soil surface makes the crust infiltrometer particularly suitable for measurements in structured soils with macropores