Comparison of Field and Laboratory Methods for Measuring Hydraulic Conductivity in the Unsaturated Zone in Engineered and Native Soils

Stormwater control measures (SCMs) are used to control runoff volume and peak flow rates. Rain gardens are one type of vegetated SCM which can utilize engineered or native media. Hydraulic conductivity, which can be measured in the field or laboratory, is a major design parameter for infiltration SCMs. The double-ring infiltrometer (ASTM D3385) is the most commonly used technique to determine hydraulic conductivity in the field; however, it can be cumbersome because of its considerable size and large water usage. In this study, various infiltration techniques, such as Modified Philip-Dunne, single-ring, and double-ring infiltrometers, were used to determine the hydraulic conductivity at different sites. In addition, the UMS KSAT Benchtop laboratory method was used to find hydraulic conductivity. Preliminary results indicate that the Modified Philip-Dunne provides results similar to the other tests methods.