FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

WATER ENGINEERING LABORATORY

LABORATORY REPORT

Code & Experiment MKA – 01 (b) : INFILTRATION RATE TEST

Course/ Subject Code BFC 21201

Section 9

Experiment Date 20 March 2017

Group Name 5

1. Farah Nurhabibah Binti Rosli (DF160023)

Group Members
2. Muhammad Shahmi Amsyar Bin Abdul Aziz (DF160037)

3. Nur Adilah Binti Muhamad Nazari (DF160026)

4. Sheikh Muhamad Hishamuddin Bin Sh Ibrahim (DF160024)

5. Tengku Daeng Dinie Afiq Bin Tengku Daeng Johar
(DF160017)
Lecturer / Instructor/
Pn Noor Aliza Ahmad
Tutor Name
Submission Date 27 March 2017

CLO 1: Report/ Presentation/

Team work
25%

CLO 2: Report/ Presentation/

Marks Team work
37.5%

CLO 3: Team work/

Presentation
37.5%

Received Stamp TOTAL

Examiner Comments
 Lab Report Assessment Rubrics
Faculty: FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Programme: BACHELOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING WITH HONOURS
Course/Code: HYDRAULICS & MECHANIC MATERIALS LABORATORY/ BFC21201
Experiment
Infiltration Rate Test
Title:
Assessed by: Pn Noor Aliza Ahmad
Section: 9
Student 1. Farah Nurhabibah Binti Rosli (DF160023)
names: 2. Muhammad Shahmi Amsyar Bin Abdul
Aziz(DF160037)
3. Nur Adilah Binti Muhamad Nazari
(DF160026)
4. Sheikh Muhamad Hishamuddin Bin Sh
Ibrahim (DF160024)

Excellent
5. Tengku Daeng Dinie Afiq Bin Tengku Daeng

V.Poor

Good
Poor

Fair
Johar (DF160017)
CLO Explain the results of hydraulics and mechanics materials experiments based on relevant standard and theories. [PLO4,
1: C2]
Assessment Criteria Sub-criteria Level 1 2 3 4 5 Weight Score
Lab work aim/purposes Identify the lab purpose C1 1
and materials used List and include all lab materials C1 1
Report Use appropriate List and include all lab procedures C1 1
methodology and results
to interpret procedures Answer and discuss relevant questions,
C2 1
used equations and techniques
Development of Interpret proper results C2 0.5
Presentation methodology and Discuss the use of materials and
assumptions in study C2 0.5
equations
Total 5
CLO
Display high quality of technical and interpretation skills in solving the assign problems. [PLO2, P4]
2:
Assessment Criteria Sub-criteria Level 1 2 3 4 5 Weight Score
Descriptions of the lab work needs P1 0.5
Perform on-site lab work Correct use of measurement technique
P2 1.5
and equipments
Discussion on the Describe correct and precise data
Report P2 1.5
applications of the lab collection
work with measurement
Analyse and discuss the data trends and
techniques and P3 1.5
patterns using correct graphs
equations
Solve the applications of equations with
P3 1
Use/adapt appropriate correct and accurate analyses
measurement 3 sets data measurement for accuracy P4 0.7
Presentation
technique/concept and
results Investigate, discuss and relate the use of
P4 0.8
lab work with real site situation
Total 7.5
CLO
Describe the laboratory testing procedures among group members throughout the experiments. [PLO5, A2]
3:
Assessment Criteria Sub-criteria Level 1 2 3 4 5 Weight Score
Format of report follows given format A1 1.5
Convey information in Team work: contribution from all
Report A1 1.5
group members
Follows the field work instructions A2 1.5
Demonstrate importance of lab works,
A2 2
able to answers open ended questions
Convey spoken ideas in
Presentation
group Organisation of group presentation A2 0.7
Support members in Q&A session A2 0.3
Total 7.5

Total (%)
Assessor signature/ date:
FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

WATER ENGINEERING LABORATORY

LABORATORY PAPER INSTRUCTION

Subject Code BFC 21201

Experiment Code MKA – 01 (b)

Experiment Title INFILTRATION RATE TEST

Section 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
 STUDENTS’ ETHICAL CODE (SEC)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

“I declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also
declare not receive or give any assistance in preparing this report and
make this affirmation in the belief that nothing is in, it is true”

……………………………………….
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE)

NAME :………………………………
MATRIC NO :……………………………….
DATE :…………………………..…..

*This SEC paper sheet is compulsory to be compiled in the lab report for each student by group
 STUDENTS’ ETHICAL CODE (SEC)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

“I declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also
declare not receive or give any assistance in preparing this report and
make this affirmation in the belief that nothing is in, it is true”

……………………………………….
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE)

NAME :………………………………
MATRIC NO :……………………………….
DATE :…………………………..…..

*This SEC paper sheet is compulsory to be compiled in the lab report for each student by group
 STUDENTS’ ETHICAL CODE (SEC)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

“I declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also
declare not receive or give any assistance in preparing this report and
make this affirmation in the belief that nothing is in, it is true”

……………………………………….
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE)

NAME :………………………………
MATRIC NO :……………………………….
DATE :…………………………..…..

*This SEC paper sheet is compulsory to be compiled in the lab report for each student by group
 STUDENTS’ ETHICAL CODE (SEC)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

“I declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also
declare not receive or give any assistance in preparing this report and
make this affirmation in the belief that nothing is in, it is true”

……………………………………….
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE)

NAME :………………………………
MATRIC NO :……………………………….
DATE :…………………………..…..

*This SEC paper sheet is compulsory to be compiled in the lab report for each student by group
 STUDENTS’ ETHICAL CODE (SEC)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

“I declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also
declare not receive or give any assistance in preparing this report and
make this affirmation in the belief that nothing is in, it is true”

……………………………………….
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE)

NAME :………………………………
MATRIC NO :……………………………….
DATE :…………………………..…..

*This SEC paper sheet is compulsory to be compiled in the lab report for each student by group
1.0 OBJECTIVE

To identify the characteristics of the infiltration rate of water into soils in the field.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to apply the knowledge and skills
they have learned to:
a. Understand the concept of infiltration of water into soils.
b. Understand the factors which influence the infiltration rates.

3.0 THEORY

The volume of water used during each measured time interval is converted into an
incremental infiltration velocity for both the inner ring and annular space using the
following equations; VIR  VIR /( AIR .t ) where, VIR is the inner ring incremental

infiltration velocity(cm/hr), VIR is the volume of water used during time interval to

maintain constant head in the inner ring (mL), AIR is the internal area of inner ring
(cm2) and t is the time interval (hour). For the annular space between rings, calculate
as follows; VA  VA /( AA .t ) where V A is the annular space incremental infiltration

velocity (cm/hr), V A is the volume of water used during time interval to maintain

constant head in the annular space between the rings (mL), AA is the area of annular
space (cm2) and t is the time interval (hour). The infiltration rate calculated with the
inner ring should be the value used for results if the rates for the inner ring and annular
space differ. The difference in rates is due to divergent flow.

4.0 EQUIPMENTS

a. Two stainless steels rings measure 12” and 24” diameter x 20” high.
b. Marriotte tube.
 Figure 1: Infiltration Test Equipment

5.0 PROCEDURES

1. After a test site has been selected and the soil surface has been prepared. Ring is
driven into the soil using driving cap on the top which is wood block that can be
used to absorb the energy from a sledge hammer. The outer ring is inserted by
moving the wood block around the edge of the driving cap. The ring is inserted to a
depth that will (a) prevent the test water from leaking to the ground surface
surrounding the ring, and (b) be deeper than the depth to which the innner ring will
be driven. A depth of about 15 cm is usually adequate.

2. Once the outer ring is in place, the inner ring can be centered inside the large ring
and driven to a depth that will prevent leakage of water the ground surface
surrounding the ring. A depth of about 5 - 10 cm is usually adequate. Both the outer
and the innner ring should be level. The soil surrounding the wall of the rings should
be exempt of excessive disturbance. In case extensive cracking or heave are
observed, the rings should be reset to a different location using a technique that will
minimize such disturbance.

3. There are three ways to maintain constant head (water lever) within the inner ring
and annular space between the two ring, manually controlling the flow liquid, the
use of constant – level float valves, or the use of a mariotte tube. The latter option is
the preferred one since it auto-regulates water flow to the ring. A pair or water bottle
is used to fill both rings with water to the same desired depth in each ring. The water
flow from the mariotte tube can than be initiated. As soon as the fluid level becomes
constant, the water level in the inner ring and in the annular space is measure (and
 recorded) to the nearest 2 mm using a ruler or a tape measure. The water level is
maintained at a selected head (level) in both the inner ring annular space between
rings throughout the test to prevent flow of water from one ring to the other.

4. The volume of water that is added to maintain a constant head in the inner ring. And
annular space during each timing interval is determined by measuring the change in
elevation of the water level in the appropriate graduated mariotte tube. For average
soils, the volume of water used to maintain the head recorded at every 5 min
intervals for at least 6 hours, or until a relatively costant infiltration rate is achieved.
The appropriate reading frenquency may be determined only through experience and
may be more frequent for high-K materials.
6.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

TIME t (S) INNER INFILTRATION INFILTRATION RATE

(mm) CAPACITY (mm/s)
(mm)
60 13.2 0.220 0.220
120 13.3 0.331 0.111
180 13.3 0.405 0.074
240 13.3 0.460 0.055
300 13.3 0.900 0.044
360 13.3 0.937 0.037
420 13.4 0.969 0.032
480 13.5 0.997 0.028
540 13.5 1.022 0.025
600 13.5 1.045 0.023
660 13.6 1.066 0.021
720 13.6 1.085 0.019
780 13.6 1.102 0.017
840 13.6 1.118 0.016
900 13.6 1.133 0.015
960 13.6 1.147 0.014
1020 13.7 1.160 0.013
1080 13.7 1.173 0.013
1140 13.8 1.185 0.012
1200 13.8 1.197 0.012

13.2 𝑚𝑚
Infiltration Rate = = 0.220 mm/s
60𝑠

Infiltration Capacity = Cumulative of Infiltration Rate

7.0 QUESTIONS

1. Plot graphs of
a) Infiltration capacity versus time
b) Infiltration rate versus time

(a) Infiltration capacity versus time.

infiltration capacity versus time

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200

infiltration capacity versus time2

(b) Infiltration rate versus time

infiltration rate versus time

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200

infiltration rate versus time

2. From the graph in 1(b), please identify the basic of infiltration rate

Based on the results, we can conclude that the soil tested is a type of wet soil. This is
because graph show decreasingly curve downward, the smaller pores associated with clay
layer have a greater attraction on the water. This causes the clay to wet immediately when
the wetting front reaches the layer. Although the clay layer wets rapidly, the small pores
hold the water tightly and effectively- retard the advance of the wetting front. The slowing
of the wetting front causes lateral water movement in the overlying coarse soil.

3. Sketch a graphs of infiltration rate versus time for the three different characteristics of
soils:
a. dry soil.
b. wet soil.
c. saturated soil.
Explain each of the graphs

a. Dry soil.

For the dry soil, we can see that the infiltration occurred faster than other soil. This is
because, water easier to absorb to the dry soil because inside the soil, they have a lot of void
The soil texture and structure, vegetation types and cover, water content of the soil, soil
temperature, and rainfall intensity all play a role in controlling infiltration rate and capacity.
For example, coarse-grained sandy soils have large spaces between each grain and allow
water to infiltrate quickly. Vegetation creates more porous soils by both protecting the soil
from raindrop impact, which can close natural gaps between soil particles, and loosening
soil through root action. This is why forested areas have the highest infiltration rates of any
vegetative types. The water drained from the pores is replaced by air. In coarse textured
(sandy) soils, drainage is completed within a period of a few hours.

b. Wet soil.

For the wet soil, infiltration not too fast. It is slow than saturated soil. This is because they
already have a water inside the soil. So, the water was slowly to absorb inside the soil. The
amount of water being held by a soil at the time of testing can also greatly affect how water
soaks into the ground. A saturated soil will usually have a different flow rate than the same
soil in an unsaturated state. This is due to the presence of soil-water matrix forces in
unsaturated conditions. These matrix forces are complex and result from a combination of
adhesion forces (the attraction between soil surfaces and water) and cohesion forces (the
attraction of molecules of water to each other). In saturated conditions gravitational forces
alone are responsible for water movement in soils.

c. Saturated soil.
For the saturated soil, infiltration occurred very slow because they have a lot of water inside
the saturated soil that wet soil. Clay soil is made up of smaller particles and pore spaces
slowing water’s ability to infiltrate. Subsoil characteristics can also play a major role in
water movement. A heavy (clay) subsoil layer can act as a seal underneath the topsoil. If
there is enough rain, the topsoil will become saturated and there will be no place for the
water to go regardless of the characteristics of the topsoil.

8.0 DISCUSSIONS

Our group was given a task which is conducting infiltration rate experiment. First,
we observed the equipment with lecturer to ensure that the equipment is in good condition.
Instruction from lecturer, we have to conduct our experiment on the wet soil such as near
the lake or drainage area.
From the experiment, we can see that the types of soils influence the infiltration
rates. For dry soils, infiltration occurred faster, water can absorb faster than wet soil and
saturated soil because inside the soil, they have a lot of void. For wet soil, infiltration
occurred in modest time between dry soil and saturated soil because they already contain
water inside the soil. So, water slowly absorb into the soil.
For saturated soil, infiltration occurred very slowly because they have a lot of water
inside the saturated soil that wet soil. From the experiment, we consider that the soil are wet,
after plot a graph of infiltration rate versus time. The process of infiltration is not too fast
because they already have water inside the soil. So, the water was slowly to absorb inside
the soil during the experiment was carried out.
In our experiment, we found out that there was an error in our experiment. These are
caused by two main factors that could influence our reading. The factors are:-
1. Human factor, where the readings taken are not consistent because there is more
than one observer. Parallax error could also occur.
2. The rings are not knocked and set up in a right place causing the water to leaked at
the bottom part of the rings.
The mistake in booking will also contribute to the error. If one of the values is
wrong, it will affect all the calculation. To avoid all of these errors happen, precautions must
have been taken in every single step of the procedure.
9.0 CONCLUSIONS

A conclusion of this experiment, we found that the infiltration rate is affected by the
type of soil that we used. The infiltration rate is faster in a dry soil, become slowly in a wet
soil and very slow in a saturated soil. Therefore, the infiltration capacity was affected by the
porosity of the soil and moisture content of the soil. From the experiment, we can see that
the types of soils influence the infiltration rates.

Most of the investigation of infiltrometer rings or basins has been made by scientists
interested in their use for evaluation of agricultural soils. Because of this, the infiltration
rates were usually determined for the upper foot of surface soils, the heads applied were low
to simulate rainfall or the application of irrigation water, the time of application was
approximately half an hour, and the maximum rates were usually the ones used and
reported. As infiltration rates were found to be variable, in order to provide comfort and a
suitable degree of conservativity, by discounting the markedly better results, the average
lowest infiltration rate to be used for design was determined.

10.0 REFERENCES

1. Water Resources Engineering, 2005 Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

2. Green, W. Heber; Ampt, G. A. (1911). "Studies on Soil Physics". The Journal of

Agricultural Science.

3. Horton, Robert E. (1933). "The role of infiltration in the hydrologic cycle". Trans.
Am. Geophys. Union. 14th Ann. Mtg: 446–460
11.0 APPENDIX

Figure 2: Taking measurement of outer ring

Figure 3: Pouring water into inner ring