A Jeep-Mounted Rainfall Simulating Infiltrometer

Abstract

An infiltrometer was designed to more closely simulate natural storm characteristics and still maintain sufficient portability to be used in various test sites in the field. In addition to portability, a relatively large test plot can be used over a relatively long duration. The instrument is designed to produce rainfall intensities of 2 to 6 inches per hour which are comparable to natural storm intensities found in northern Arizona. Capillary tubes produce water drops of equivalent kinetic energy at impact to natural raindrops. Errors due to lateral flow are minimized through peripheral wetting. Mounting the infiltrometer on a four-wheel drive vehicle allows nearly the portability of a hand carried unit with a greater water carrying capacity and allows the equipment to be large enough to test a representative plot.