Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871032

Hubbell, Joel M ^[1]; Sisson, James B ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A portable tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture potential of earthen soil includes, a) a body having opposing first and second ends and being adapted for complete insertion into earthen soil below grade; b) a porous material provided at the first body end, the porous material at least in part defining a fluid chamber within the body at the first body end, the fluid chamber being fluidically sealed within the body but for the porous material; c) a degassed liquid received within the fluid chamber; d) a pressure transducer mounted in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; e) the body, pressure transducer and degassed liquid having a combined mass; f) a flexible suspension line connected to the body adjacent the second body end, the flexible line being of sufficient strength to gravitationally freely self suspend the combined mass; and c) the combined mass being sufficient to effectively impart hydraulic communication between below-grade earthen soil contacted by the porous material under the weight of the combined mass. Tensiometers configured to engage the sidewalls of an earthen opening are also disclosed. Methods of taking tensiometric measurements are also disclosed.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223; AC07-76ID01570
• Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5644947
• OSTI ID: 871032
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

tensiometer
method
determining
soil
moisture
potential
below-grade
earthen
portable
situ
determine
opposing
adapted
complete
insertion
below
grade
porous
material
provided
defining
fluid
chamber
fluidically
sealed
degassed
liquid
received
pressure
transducer
mounted
communication
combined
mass
flexible
suspension
line
connected
adjacent
sufficient
strength
gravitationally
freely
suspend
effectively
impart
hydraulic
contacted
weight
tensiometers
configured
engage
sidewalls
disclosed
methods
taking
tensiometric
measurements
moisture potential
soil moisture
below grade
line connected
fluid chamber
porous material
fluid communication
pressure transducer
sufficient strength
material provided
earthen soil
situ determine
below-grade soil
soil below
below-grade earthen
determining soil
determine below-grade
flexible line
/73/