ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 26 July 2007
Page Count: 6

Monitoring Field Soil Suction Using a Miniature Tensiometer

Cui, Yu-Jun
Professor, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees, MARNE-LA-VALLEE CEDEX 2,

Tang, Anh-Minh
Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees,

Mantho, Altin Theodore
Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees,

De Laure, Emmanuel
Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees,

(Received 21 August 2006; accepted 15 June 2007)

Abstract

An experimental device was developed to monitor the field soil suction using a miniature tensiometer. This device consists of a double tube system that ensures a good contact between the tensiometer and the soil surface at the bottom of the testing borehole. This system also ensures the periodical retrieving of the tensiometer without disturbing the surrounding soil. This device was used to monitor the soil suction at the site of Boissy-le-Châtel, France. The measurement was performed at two depths (25 and 45 cm) during two months (May and June 2004). The recorded suction data are analyzed by comparing with the volumetric water content data recorded using TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) probes as well as the meteorological data. A good agreement between these results was observed, showing a satisfactory performance of the developed device.

Keywords:
field monitoring, suction, miniature tensiometer, TDR, volumetric water content, water retention curve

Paper ID: GTJ100769
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100769
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