Air entrapment and consolidation occurring with saturated hydraulic conductivity changes with intermittent wetting

Abstract

A study was designed to measure air entrapment and consolidation as mechanisms that might contribute to reduced hydraulic conductivity with intermittent wetting similar to surge irrigation cycles. The changes in hydraulic conductivity with intermittent wetting would result in infiltration rate changes. Air entrapment and consolidation in a surface layer sample of 50 mm was the focus of the study. During drainage periods between successive wettings, pressure head gradients within the surface layer samples were controlled to simulate drainage in a field situation. Air entrapment was found to occur consistently with reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity while consolidation was not as consistent in its response with changes in saturated hydraulic conductivity.