Development of an automated double-ring infiltrometer

A double-ring infiltrometer is often used for measuring infiltration characteristics in the field, but the measurements are time-consuming and tedious, especially when several tests are to be monitored at a site. This is because the infiltrometer in its present form requires continuous attention and therefore limits the number of tests that can be monitored at a site in a given time. An automated double-ring infiltrometer has been developed to overcome these limitations. It consists of inner and outer rings, water level sensors, water container, depth sensor, solenoid valves, 12-volt car battery, laptop computer, and software to perform recording and basic analysis of the infiltration data. The infiltrometer requires little attention once the test is started and the computer provides up-to-the-minute summary of infiltration results while the test is still in progress. The automated infiltrometer worked very satisfactorily during the field trials and has considerable potential as a research and teaching tool.