Measuring the k–S–p relations on DNAPLs migration

Migration characteristics of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in the subsurface can be expressed as a water–DNAPL two-phase system based on mainly the k–S–p relations, which describe the relations among relative permeability (k), degree of water saturation (S), and capillary pressure head (p). The aims of this research are to develop an experimental system with new type of probes, such as the electrical conductivity probe for measuring the degree of water saturation and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic tensiometer for measuring the pore water and DNAPL pressures, and also to estimate the results obtained from the developed experimental system. From these tests, the excellent k–S–p relations were obtained and the efficiency and validity of this developed experimental system have been confirmed in terms of the concept of the scaling coefficient calculated by interfacial tensions.     

Monitoring over‐winter soil water dynamics in a freezing and snow‐covered environment using a thermally insulated tensiometer

Water potential below a frozen soil layer was continuously monitored over an entire winter period (using thermally insulated tensiometers sheltered in a heated chamber) along with other soil, snow and atmospheric variables. In early winter, the freezing front advanced under a thin snow cover, inducing upward soil water flow in the underlying unfrozen soil. The freezing front started to retreat when the snow cover became thick enough to insulate the soil, resulting in the reversal of the flow direction in the unfrozen zone. These data provide a clear illustration of soil water dynamics, which have rarely been monitored with a tensiometer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of a soil water balance model using soil water content and pressure head data

The validation of soil water balance models and the evaluation of the quality of the model predictions at field‐scale require time‐series of in situ measured model outputs. In our study, we have validated such a model using a 6‐year period with time‐series of automatically recorded, daily volumetric soil water contents measured with the time‐domain reflectometry with intelligent microelements (TRIME) method and daily pressure heads measured with tensiometers. The comparisons of simulated with measured soil water contents and pressure heads were analysed using the modelling efficiency index (IA) and the square root of the mean square error (RMSE) in order to evaluate the prediction quality of the model. In our study, IA and RMSE, obtained either from the comparison of simulated with measured soil water contents or the comparison of calculated with observed pressure heads, in some cases lead to different results regarding the evaluation of the simulation quality of the soil water balance model. For example, a good fit between simulated and observed soil water contents does not necessarily result in a comparably good fit between the corresponding calculated and measured pressure heads. Therefore, a combined use of both measurement techniques, which takes into account their respective advantages and disadvantages, gives a more complete overview on the simulation quality of the soil water balance model than the single use of one of those techniques. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非饱和黄土地基降雨入渗离心模型试验及多物理量联合监测

对非饱和土降雨入渗过程及其致灾机制的深入认识有赖于室内外试验及多物理量联合监测。基于离心机超重力环境下土体响应监测技术,开展了非饱和黄土地基降雨入渗离心模型试验,测试研究了超重力环境对新研制的微型TDR探针及张力计测量的影响规律,并利用TDR、张力计及弯曲元对降雨入渗过程中土体响应进行多物理量联合监测。研究结果表明:在不同离心加速度下微型TDR探针与给定含水率土体实测原始波形重合,说明超重力环境对TDR测试没有影响,含水率的测试误差在2%以内。在离心机加速过程中,张力计所测吸力下降约2.0~2.9 kPa,当离心加速度稳定在40g时,所测吸力在10min内上升并接近常重力下土体初始吸力。在降雨入渗过程中,埋设在同一深度的TDR探针、张力计和弯曲元对湿润锋响应的时间点基本一致,降雨入渗导致土体含水率增加,基质吸力降低,剪切波速降低。这些多物理量监测数据有助于建立非饱和土含水率-吸力-剪切模量之间的关系。     

Experimental procedures and cavitation mechanisms in tensiometer measurements

In recent years tensiometers for direct measurement of matric suction have been developed at Imperial College and later on at the University of Saskatchewan. The major drawback of these instruments is water cavitation which may occur before pressure equalisation. A better understanding of the mechanisms that control cavitation inside the tensiometer may therefore help optimise their design and define adequate experimental procedures. This paper presents some of the experiences gained over the past four years using three tensiometers manufactured by Imperial College. Some of the anomalous responses recorded by tensiometers are first discussed. These were probably due to inadequate saturation of the porous ceramic rather than malfunctioning of the instruments. The results from a series of tests conducted with two or three tensiometers positioned on the same sample are then presented. These were helpful in defining suitable experimental procedures. Finally, the history of tension breakdown of each tensiometer is examined to identify some of the factors that affect the maximum sustainable tension as well as measurement duration. On the basis of data recorded before and after cavitation, a possible mechanism of cavitation in a tensiometer is described.     

云南滇池流域强烈灌溉条件下西芹大棚土壤水分动态特征

利用TRIME-T3型TDR仪土壤含水量测量系统和WM-1型负压计系统现场监测了强烈灌溉条件下整个作物生长期西芹大棚土壤水分、土壤负压(基质势)的动态变化;研究表明,不同深度土壤含水量受强烈灌溉的影响程度不同,0.3 m深度处受影响最大,1.0,2.0 m深度处受影响最小;受灌溉的影响,0.3,0.6,1.0 m深度处负压有所波动,其中0.3 m深度处负压的波动幅度最大;2.0 m深度处的土壤一直处于"饱和-非饱和"两种状态的转换之中;在地下水埋深为2.0 m左右,且上部土层的渗透性较差(饱和渗透系数仅为0.04 m/d)的情况下,地下水水位受灌溉的影响极小.     

数值优化方法在确定张力计反应时间上的应用性

张力计的反应时间可用于估算非饱和土的渗透系数,并可作为张力计选型的评判依据。为了更加合理且便捷地确定张力计的反应时间,先通过不同含水量条件下的泾阳黄土、定边黄土以及毛乌素砂土的土柱试验测定张力计的响应曲线,再利用半经验图解法与结合通用全局优化(UGO)算法的数值优化方法来确定反应时间,并探讨了数值优化方法的实用价值及其局限性。研究结果表明,张力计的响应曲线可分为张力计安装扰动段、压力反应滞后段以及稳定平衡段,其中,压力反应滞后段建议采用4次多项式函数拟合,而稳定平衡段则采用线性函数拟合。数值优化计算结果表明,在一般情况下,Levenberg-Marquardt优化法(LM+UGO)、BFGS准牛顿优化法(BFGS+UGO)与共轭梯度优化法(CGM+UGO)的拟合程度高,用时短,但对于数据抖动幅度较大或存在突变型曲线特征等复杂形式的张力计响应曲线,数值优化算法不易获得较理想的结果,此时仍需借由经验判断才能确定合宜的反应时间。