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

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873873

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

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A sidewall tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture potential of earthen soil includes, a) a body adapted for insertion into an opening in earthen soil below grade, the body having lateral sidewalls; b) a laterally oriented porous material provided relative to the body lateral sidewalls, the laterally oriented porous material at least in part defining a fluid chamber within the body; c) a pressure a sensor in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and d) sidewall engaging means for engaging a portion of a sidewall of an earth opening to laterally urge the porous material into hydraulic communication with earthen soil of another portion of the opening sidewall. Methods of taking tensiometric measurements are also disclosed.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 6263726
• OSTI ID: 873873
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

sidewall
tensiometer
method
determining
soil
moisture
potential
below-grade
earthen
situ
determine
adapted
insertion
below
grade
lateral
sidewalls
laterally
oriented
porous
material
provided
relative
defining
fluid
chamber
pressure
sensor
communication
engaging
means
portion
earth
urge
hydraulic
methods
taking
tensiometric
measurements
disclosed
moisture potential
soil moisture
below grade
fluid chamber
porous material
fluid communication
material provided
earthen soil
situ determine
below-grade soil
soil below
below-grade earthen
sidewall tensiometer
determining soil
determine below-grade
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