Electronic Lysimetry for Hydrologic Studies

De Backer, L. W.; Roumieux, S. M.; W?ry, B. J.; ,

Electronic Lysimetry for Hydrologic Studies

by L. W. De Backer, Catholic Univ of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium,
S. M. Roumieux, Catholic Univ of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium,
B. J. W?ry, Catholic Univ of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Grouting in Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract:

Purpose, definition and technology of lysimetry are in constant evolution. The flexure scale used here is a frictionless weighing machine, sturdy and precise. Electronics are necessary to filter the signal of the load cell, which records the scale arm oscillations. Tipping-bucket devices count electrically the amounts of rainfall and drainage water. A telemeasurement system records the data hourly. The whole system can modify the lysimeter's general purpose, which is to determine actual evapotranspiration of crops by periodical water balance. Such a lysimeter can be useful as a reference for calibrating and searching methods of determining the water and eventually heat balances of soil profiles outside of the lysimeter instead of extrapolating lysimeter data to the whole field. Other advantages are the measurements of rainfall and dewfall and the comparative analysis with data obtained from less sensitive standard apparatus. Finally, as refinement and computarization of the system proceed, it seems possible to reach a stage of 'user friendly' lysimetry for a wide range of continuous recording and applications in quantitative and qualitative water studies.

Return to search