Tensiometer techniques for determining soil water retention curves

Toll, DG; Asquith, JD; Fraser, A; Hassan, AA; Liu, G; Lourenço, SDN; Mendes, J; Noguchi, T; Osinski, P; Stirling, RA

doi:10.1201/b19248-4

Tensiometer techniques for determining soil water retention curves

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ross Stirling ORCiD

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Abstract

The water retention behaviour of soils is an essential aspect of understanding the unsaturated behaviour of soil materials. This paper looks at a relatively new method of measurement for soil water reten-tion curves, using high capacity tensiometers. New equipment for carrying out continuous measurements of water content, suction and volume change is described. The results are compared with traditional pressure plate measurements, as well as filter paper and chilled mirror hygrometer tests. It has been suggested that ten-siometer measurements and pressure plate data give different results. This is confirmed by the larger data set provided here. It is found that the differences between the techniques can be explained by different volumetric responses.