INFILTRATION

• Definition of Infiltration
• Factors Affecting Infiltration and Infiltration measurements
• Horton Model and Philip’s Equation
• Green-Ampt Model
• Ponding Time
• Fitting Infiltration models to infiltration data using excel
Definition of Infiltration

Infiltration is the process by which water on

the ground surface enters the soil.

Infiltration is governed by two forces:

• Gravity
• Capillary Action

Reference: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/infiltration_(hydrology).htm
Definition of Infiltration

Reference: https://pubs.usgs.gov>wsp>report
Definition of Infiltration
Infiltration is also defined as a downward entry of water into the soil. The
velocity at which water enters the soil is called infiltration rate.

Infiltration Rate
• In soil science is a measure of the rate at which a particular soil is able
to absorb rainfall or irrigation.
• It is the rate at which the water actually infiltrates through the soil
during a storm and it must be equal the infiltration capacities or
rainfall rate, which ever is lesser.

Infiltration Capacity
• The maximum rate at which a soil in any given condition is capable of
absorbing water.

Reference: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/infiltration_(hydrology).htm;
soilquality.org/indicators/infiltration.html ;
mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Definition of Infiltration

Difference between Infiltration and Percolation

Infiltration- The entry of water into the soil through the soil surface

Percolation- The process of downward movement of water into

soil, once water enters into the soil.

NOTE: When Percolation Stop, Infiltration also stop.

When Infiltration Stop, Percolation is continuing.

Reference: https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/AnantPatel18/infiltration-80
Factors Affecting Infiltration

Infiltration rates vary widely. It is dependent on the

condition of the land surface (cracked, crusted,
compacted, etc.), land vegetation cover, surface soil
characteristics (grain size & gradation), storm
characteristics (intensity, duration &magnitudes), surface
soil and water temperature, chemical properties of water
and soil.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Precipitation. The greatest

factor controlling infiltration is
the amount and characteristics
(intensity, duration, etc.) of
precipitation that falls as rain or
snow.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Soil Characteristics. Some soils,

such as clays, absorb less water
at a slower rate than sandy
soils. Soils absorbing less water
result in more runoff overland
into streams.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Conditions at Soil Surface. Even if the subsoil has

excellent under drainage but at the surface soil pores are
sealed due to turbid water or by in wash of fine soil
particles it may prevent entry of water into the soil and
infiltration rate will be low.

3/28/2019
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Soil Saturation. Like a wet

sponge, soils already saturated
from previous rainfall can’t
absorb much more, thus more
rainfall will become surface-
runoff.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Type of Vegetative/Land Cover.

Some land covers have a great
impact on infiltration and rainfall
runoff. Vegetation can slow the
movement of runoff, allowing
more time for it to seep into the
ground.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Soil Temperature. If saturated

soil mass gets frozen due to
severe low temperature it
becomes nearly impermeable.
It affects the infiltration.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Human Activities on Soil Surface. If the soil surface

gets compacted due to construction of roads,
operation of tractors and other farm implements
and machinery the porosity of the soil is
decreased.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Slope of the Land. Water

falling on a sleepy-sloped
land runs off more quickly
and infiltrates less than
water falling on flat land.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Factors Affecting Infiltration

Evapotranspiration. Plants need

the shallow groundwater to
grow, and by the process of
evapotranspiration, water is
moved back into the
atmosphere.

Reference: https://www.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleinfiltration.html
 Infiltration Measurements

Infiltration is a very complex process, which can vary

temporally and spatially. Selection of measurement techniques
and data analysis techniques should consider these effects, and
their spatial dimensions can categorize infiltration measurement
are described below.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements

Areal Measurement

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements
Hyetograph Hydrograph
Infiltration Measurements

Point Infiltration Measurement

Point infiltration measurement are normally made by applying
water at a specific site to a finite area and measuring the intake of the
soil. Infiltrometer is a device used to measure the rate of water
infiltration into soil. There are types of infiltrometer:

1. Rainfall Infiltrometer
2. Flooding Infiltrometer
A. Basin Infiltrometer
B. Ring– Type Infiltrometer
b. Single & Double Ring

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements

Rainfall Infiltrometer
Basically a rainfall infiltrometer
simulates rainfall with the use of
special spray nozzles set a certain
distance (usually 2 to 3 m) above
the soil surface. The soil surface
tested is usually enclosed so that
once runoff commences it can
be collected at an opening and
the volume measured with time.
The difference between the
application rate and the runoff
rate is taken to be the infiltration.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Infiltration Measurements

Rainfall Infiltrometer

With the help of rain simulator, water is

sprinkled at a uniform rate in excess of
the infiltration capacity, over a certain
experimental area. The resultant runoff R
is observed, and from that the infiltration f
using f= (P-R)/t.
where:
P= Rain Sprinkled
R= Runoff Collected
t= Duration of rainfall

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements
Flooding Infiltrometer

Flooding infiltrometers enclose an area

and pond water to a specified depth.
The infiltration rate is calculated from the •Basin infiltrometer
drop in water level per unit time or the which uses earth retaining
amount of water required to maintain walls; and
the specified depth or head of water per
unit time. Flooding infiltrometers measure • Ring infiltrometer which uses metal
the maximum rate of entry of water into rings inserted into the ground
to retain the water.
the soil. They do not simulate raindrop
activity; they measure water penetration
rather than rainfall infiltration. Basically
there are two types of flooding
infiltrometers;
Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Infiltration Measurements
Types of Ring Infiltrometer:

•Single Ring Infiltrometer •Double Ring Infiltrometer

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements
Example 1. A USGS rain-simulator infiltrometer experiment was conducted on a
sandy loam soil. Rainfall was simulated at the rate of 20 cm/hr. The rainfall and
runoff data are given in the table.
a.) Find and Plot the mass- infiltration curve from the experimental data
b.) Plot an infiltration rate curve.

Table EX.1. Rain- simulator Infiltrometer Data and infiltration capacity calculation

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Infiltration Measurements
Solution. The measured data are given in column 1, 3, 4. Cumulative infiltration F
is calculated by subtracting the cumulative runoff from the cumulative rainfall.
Infiltration rate is determined by driving the F by the total duration of infiltration.
The result is placed in figure below.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Horton Model

In general, for a given constant storm, infiltration rates

tend to decrease with time. The initial infiltration rate is the
rate prevailing at the beginning of the storm and is
maximum. Infiltration rates gradually decrease in time and
reach a constant value.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Horton Infiltration

Horton observed the above facts and concluded that infiltration begins at some
rate fO and exponentially decreases until it reaches a constant fc. He proposed the
following infiltration equation where rainfall intensity i greater than fp at all time.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Horton Model

Note: That infiltration takes place at capacity rates only when the
intensity of rainfall i equals or exceeds fp; that is f= fp when i > fp, but when
for i < fp , f < fp and f= i.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Horton Model
Table 1. Estimated Values of Horton Parameters

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Horton Model

Example 2. Given an initial infiltration capacity fo of 2.9 in/hr and a time constant of 0.28
1/hr , derive an infiltration capacity versus time curve if the ultimate infiltration capacity is
0.50 in/hr.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Horton Model

For the times shown in the table below, values of fp are computed and entered into the
table. Using excel the curve of Fig. 1 is derived.

Time (hr) Infiltration Capacity (in/hr)

Time (hr) Infiltration Capacity (in/hr)
4 1.283072
0 2.9
5 1.091833
0.1 2.833732
6 0.947298
0.2 2.769294
7 0.83806
0.3 2.706635 8 0.7555
0.4 2.645706 9 0.693103
1 2.313881 10 0.645944
2 1.870902 15 0.535989
3 1.536105 20 0.508875
Reference: https://www.egr.msu.edu/classes/ce421/lishug/text%20book.pdf
Horton Model
Series1
3.5

3
Infiltration Capacity (in/hr)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (hr)
Horton Model

Example 3. The Horton’s infiltration equation for a basin is given by fp = 6 + 16e-2t where fp is
in mm/hr and t in hour. If a storm occurs on this basin with an intensity of more than 22
mm/hr, determine the depth of infiltration for the first 45 minutes and average infiltration
rate for first 75 minutes.
Horton Model
Horton Model
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Philips Solution for Horizontal and Vertical Infiltration

John R. Philips (1957,1969) Recall:

presented the first analytical Darcy’s Law where:
q= the flux which at the soil surface
solution to Richards’ equals the infiltration rate
H= total hydraulic head which is the
equation. It is based on a sum of the pressure head (Hp)
time expansion method and the gravity head (Hg)
K= hydraulic conductivity
considering infiltration as a
sorption process with a
Richards’ Equation
perturbation generated by
the presence of gravity.

Reference: Trieste, Miramare (May 1994). Soil Physical Properties Influencing Parameter in Philip and
Kostiakov Infiltration Models. Retrieved from: www.google.com
Tuller, M. & Or, D. (2002-2004). Infiltration to Soils.
Retrieve from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5240097
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Philips Solution for Horizontal and Vertical Infiltration

Horizontal Infiltration
For Horizontal infiltration Philip showed that the cumulative and
instantaneous infiltration rates are given by:

Cumulative: Rate:

Reference: Trieste, Miramare (May 1994). Soil Physical Properties Influencing Parameter in Philip and
Kostiakov Infiltration Models. Retrieved from: www.google.com
Tuller, M. & Or, D. (2002-2004). Infiltration to Soils.
Retrieve from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5240097
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Philips Solution for Horizontal and Vertical Infiltration

Horizontal Infiltration

When a sharp wetting front exists, the sorptivity may be

approximated by:

Reference: Trieste, Miramare (May 1994). Soil Physical Properties Influencing Parameter in Philip and
Kostiakov Infiltration Models. Retrieved from: www.google.com
Tuller, M. & Or, D. (2002-2004). Infiltration to Soils.
Retrieve from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5240097
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Philips Solution for Horizontal and Vertical Infiltration

Vertical Infiltration

Reference: Trieste, Miramare (May 1994). Soil Physical Properties Influencing Parameter in Philip and
Kostiakov Infiltration Models. Retrieved from: www.google.com
Tuller, M. & Or, D. (2002-2004). Infiltration to Soils.
Retrieve from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5240097
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Philips Solution for Horizontal and Vertical Infiltration

Vertical Infiltration

For practical purpose, the series in the previous equation is commonly

truncated and only the first two terms are retained:

Cumulative: Rate:

Reference: Trieste, Miramare (May 1994). Soil Physical Properties Influencing Parameter in Philip and
Kostiakov Infiltration Models. Retrieved from: www.google.com
Tuller, M. & Or, D. (2002-2004). Infiltration to Soils.
Retrieve from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5240097
Philip Equation (1957, 1969)
Example 4. A small tube with a cross- sectional area of 40 cm2 is filled with soil and
laid horizontally. The open end of the tube is saturated, and after 15 minutes, 100
cm3 of water have infiltrated into the tube. If the saturated hydraulic conductivity of
the soil is 0.40 cm/hr., determine how much infiltration would have taken place in 30
minutes if the soil column had initially been placed upright with its surface saturated.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method
The Green- Ampt model is an approximate model utilizing Darcy’s law. The model is
developed with the assumption that water is ponded on the ground surface.
Consider a vertical column of soil of unit horizontal cross- section area and let a
control volume be defined around the wet soil between the surface and depth I.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
 Green- Ampt Method
Parameters in the Green- Ampt model Table 2. USDA Soil Texture Green- Ampt
Infiltration Parameters (Maidment, 1993)

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method
Note: that for bare ground cover conditions K = Ks/2, for the area which is bare
under canopy the effective hydraulic conductivity can be assumed to be equal
to the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks of the soil.

The area which has ground cover is assumed to contain macroporosity,

and the effective hydraulic conductivity is equal to the saturated hydraulic
conductivity Ks times a macroporosity factor A. For areas which don not undergo
mechanical disturbance like range land macroporosity factor A is determined
from:

A = exp(2.82 - 0.099S +1.94BD) [Eq. 9]

And for undisturbed agricultural areas A can be determined from

A = exp(0.96 - 0.032S + 0.04C - 0.032BD) [Eq. 10]

where;
S = Percent sand
C = percent clay
BD = bulk density of the soil (< 2 mm), g/cc, and A > 1.0.

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
Green- Ampt Method

Reference: mgebrekiros.github.io>infiltration
example:
Ponding Time

 Ponding Time

RAINFALL SOIL SOIL

STARTS SUCKS INCREASE IN
WATER MOISTURE

SUCTION SOIL
PONDING
FORCE BECOMES
STARTS
WEAKENS SATURATED
Ponding Time
Ponding Time
Ponding Time
 Ponding Time

Example 6
Solution:
 Ponding Time

Example 6
Solution: