FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & BUILT ENVIRONMENT CLUSTER OF
WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING WATER ENGINEERING
LABORATORY
LABORATORY REPORT
Experiment INFILTRATION TEST
Course/ Subject Code
BFC 21201
Section 2
Experiment Date 13/12/2023
Group Name GROUP 5
1) MOHAMAD KHAIRUL NAZMAN BIN JAMALUDIN
Group Members (CF220003)
2) MUHAMMAD FAHIZAN BIN SAFRISAL
(CF220039)
3) NUR AWADAH BINTI ABD LATIP (CF220125)
4) NUR AMIRAH BINTI KAMARUZAMAN (AF220076)
5) NURLIYANA BINTI AZAHURIN (AF220054)
Lecturer / Instructor/ DR. MOHD HAIRUL BIN KHAMIDUN
Tutor Name
Submission Date 23/11/2023
CLO 1: Report/ Presentation 35%
CLO 2: Equipment Handling 7.5%
Marks
CLO 3: Teamwork/ Interview 7.5%
Received Stamp TOTAL
Examiner Comments
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TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENT PAGE
1.0 INTRODUCTION 3
2.0 OBJECTIVE 3
3.0 THEORY 3
4.0 METHODOLOGY 4
5.0 APPARATUS 4-5
6.0 PROCEDURES 6-8
7.0 RESULT 9
8.0 DATA ANALYSIS 10
9.0 DISCUSSION 11
10.0 CONCLUSION 11
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The rate at which water percolates through the soil surface is measured by an infiltration rate,
which is an essential metric in environmental science and hydrology. Understanding water flow
throughout the Earth's hydrological cycle requires an understanding of this process, which has
important ramifications for a number of industries, including urban planning, agriculture, and
water resource management.
The rate at which water percolates into the soil is a crucial component that affects the potential
for surface runoff, soil moisture content, and groundwater recharge. Designing efficient
stormwater drainage systems, controlling flood hazards, and evaluating the sustainability of
water supplies all depend on an understanding of and measurement of infiltration rates.
Numerous variables, including as soil type, plant cover, land use practices, and precipitation
intensity, affect infiltration rates. To measure and forecast infiltration rates under varied
circumstances, researchers and environmental specialists employ a variety of techniques,
including mathematical models and infiltration experiments.
This overview of infiltration rates will cover the importance of this variable, how it affects the
dynamics of water flow in terrestrial ecosystems, and the techniques used to quantify and
examine infiltration processes. We will learn about the consequences of infiltration for
environmentally friendly conservation and sustainable water management as we work through its
complexities.
2.0 OBJECTIVE
To identify the characteristics of the infiltration rate of water into soil in the field.
3.0 THEORY
A basic instrument for calculating the amount of water that percolates into soil is the double ring
infiltrometer. To provide a one-directional water flow for streamlined data analysis, it is
composed of inner and outer rings. Through the maintenance of unit gradient and steady state
conditions in the soil, the infiltration rate approaches the saturated hydraulic conductivity very
nearly.
To regulate the flow of water, a bigger ring is set up around the inner ring, which is put into the
ground. The operator observes the level of water that flows into the soil over time, in either a
constant or falling head state. Incremental infiltration velocities for both the inner ring and the
space between rings may be calculated using specific formulas that depend on the volume of
water and time intervals. The infiltration rate from the inner ring should be utilized for results if
there is a discrepancy in rates between the inner ring and the annular space. The different flow
patterns are the result of this rate disparity.
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4.0 METHODOLOGY
The infiltration test measures the rate at when water enters the soil. Water flows to the soil's
surface using equipment such as a ring infiltrometer, and the amount of water that flows over
time is used for calculating the rate of infiltration. It also helps in identifying the characteristics
of the soil, such as texture and structure, that influence infiltration rates.
5.0 APPARATUS
Figure 4.1 : Inner Ring and Outer Ring
Figure 4.2 : Driving Plate
4
Figure 4.3 : Hammer
Figure 4.4 : Stop Watch
Figure 4.5 : Ruler
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6.0 PROCEDURES
1. The inner ring was been hammer at least 15 cm into the soil. Driving plate was used to
protect ring from damage and we keep the side of the ring vertical and drive the ruler into
the soil so that approximately 12 cm is left above the ground.
2. The outer ring was been hammer into the soil or construct an earth bund around the inner
ring to the same height as the ring to prevent water leakage.
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3. The inner and outer ring's water level was indicated at a depth of 15 cm.
4. The ring was filled with water to a depth of around 15 cm to begin the test. Water should
be added to the area between the two rings or the ring and the bund to the same depth at
the same time. This step must do quickly.
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5. The infiltration was been recorded every 30 second by using stop watch. We continued
recorded the rate until a constant measurement.
6. Test repeatedly until the water level drops by the same level over the same period of
time.
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7.0 RESULT
Time (s) Inner (mm) Infiltration Rate Infiltration
(mm/s) Capacity (mm/s)
0 100 0 0
30 90 3 3
60 88 1.47 4.47
90 84 0.93 5.40
120 80 0.67 6.10
150 70 0.47 6.60
180 73 0.41 7.01
210 65 0.31 7.32
240 69 0.29 7.61
270 60 0.22 7.83
300 58 0.19 8.02
330 55 0.17 8.20
360 94 0.26 8.50
390 88 0.23 8.73
420 83 0.20 8.93
450 78 0.17 9.1
480 75 0.16 9.26
510 74 0.15 9.41
540 74 0.14 9.60
570 74 0.13 9.73
600 74 0.12 9.9
Table 7 : Infiltration Rate Experiment Result
CALCULATION
Calculation based on 30 second
𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 90
Infiltration Rate = = = 3 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 30
Infiltration Capacity = cumulative infiltration rate at 0 s + 30 s = 3 mm/s
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8.0 DATA ANALYSIS
Infiltration Rate (mm/s) vs Time (s)
3.5
3
Infiltration Rate (mm/s)
2.5
1.5
0.5
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 450 480 510 540 570 600
Time (s)
Table 8.1 : Graph Infiltration Rate (mm/s) vs Time (s)
Infiltration Capacity (mm/s) vs Time (s)
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Infiltration Capacity (mm/s)
10
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600
Time (s)
Figure 8.2 : Graph Infiltration Capacity (mm/s) vs Time (s)
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9.0 DISCUSSION
The statistics and graph for infiltration capacity vs time show that infiltration capacity is growing
perpendicular to time. This results from an increase in the total volume of water that the soil
absorbs. The statistics and graph displaying the infiltration rate vs time indicate that the soil
infiltration rate is inversely related to time. As time went on, the rate of soil infiltration
decreased. This occurs as a result of water gradually filling up more soil pores and holes. The
soil is dry when the experiment begins since the majority of the compartments are left empty.
The earth will get inundated when the spaces are all filled.
The experiment shows that the types of soils affect the rate at which the soil infiltrates. Soil
without any readily apparent moisture content indicators is referred to as "dry soil". The rate of
infiltration is higher in dry soil than in wet or saturated soil. Because there are lots of empty
areas for water to fill, the pores or gaps in dry soils are porous. Dry soil thus absorbs water faster
than moist soil. The infiltration rate of dry soil was higher than that of wet and saturated soil.
Since moist soil had some water in it already, penetration between dry and saturated soil
occurred quickly. Therefore, compared to dry soil, moist soil absorbs water more slowly. When
there is saturated soil, there is already a lot of water on Earth. As such, its infiltration rate will be
the lowest relative to both wet and dry soil. An additional way to think of it is as an impermeable
layer.
10. CONCLUSION
Water quietly entering the soil profile through infiltration is the process of infiltration.
Infiltration aids in the soil's ability to absorb water and lessens the probability of flash floods. In
addition to serving as a home for soil creatures like nematodes and earthworms, soil may also
hold water, which is necessary for plant growth. The soil initially absorbs water fast due to its
broad porosity zones, but this slows down when the soil becomes compacted. The result got
validates the assertion. As time goes on, the rate of infiltration decreases. Time passes and the
pace of infiltration are inversely correlated. The entire depth of water absorbed into the soil is
referred to as the infiltration capability. Penetration capability is another aspect that affects the
pace of infiltration. The rate of infiltration decreases with increasing infiltration capabilities.
Infiltration capacity and infiltration rate have an inverse relationship.
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