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Unsaturated Water Flow Through a Simulated Wheel Track¹

ABSTRACT

The effect of a simulated wheel track on water movement and soil matric potential distribution was studied in the laboratory. Water retention and conductivity data were obtained using standard laboratory techniques. The 2-mm fraction of a Barnes loam was packed into a large soil container. The simulated wheel track (40 cm wide by 50 cm long) was imposed in the center of the soil container using a specially designed compaction tool attached to a penetrometer proving ring that compacted the soil in 25-cm² segments at a pressure of 3.25 kg/cm². Hydraulic head was measured using miniature spring-loaded tensiometers installed at 5-cm grid spacings in the wall of the soil container. In experimental runs, water content, bulk density and penetrometer resistance were measured for the soil packed "wet" and packed "dry." Compaction from the simulated wheel track changed the pore size distribution, lowered hydraulic head values within 2 hours after evaporation started, and increased hydraulic gradients under the wheel track compared with those in the nonwheel-track area. Two-dimensional plots of hydraulic head at selected times showed that isopotential lines curved around the wheel-track area. The data suggested less water flow in the wheel track.

¹ Contribution from the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, USDA-SEA-AR, Morris, Minn., in cooperation with the Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn., Science Series no. 10,639.

² Soil Scientists, USDA-SEA-AR, Morris, MN 56267.

Received for publication October 9, 1979. Accepted for publication September 24, 1980.

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