Qualitative comparison of various methods of infiltration rate measurement
Link to this table
| Criteria | Double Ring Infiltrometer | Single Ring Infiltrometer | Philip Dunne Permeameter | Minidisk Infiltrometer | Guelph Permeameter | Tension Infiltrometer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Transportability | Medium | Easy | Easy | Easy | Medium | Difficult |
| Volume of Water Needed | Medium | Low-Medium | Low | Low | Medium | High |
| Time (hrs) | Medium-High | Medium | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Personnel | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Cost | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low | High | High |
| Other advantages | ASTM D3385 standard for measurement | Simpler to use than double ring infiltrometer | Easy to install in ground. Multiple measurements can be made quickly | Simplest of devices | May be used to measure infiltration at depth (up to 2.5 ft) | Measure unsaturated hydraulic properties of soil |
| Measure unsaturated hydraulic properties of soil | Requires large volume of water in permeable soils | Requires large diameter to be accurate (minimize edge effects) | Need to measure initial and final soil moisture content | Small diameter -many measurements need to be made to ensure accuracy | Small diameter -many measurements need to be made to ensure accuracy | Typically need a sand base to ensure contact between soil and infiltrometer |