Wetting Moisture Characteristic Curves Derived from Constant‐rate Infiltration into Thin Soil Samples

Although procedures are available for obtaining the wetting moisture characteristics of soils, they often involve lengthy equilibration periods. A simple and quick laboratory method is described for obtaining the wetting moisture characteristic using constant flux infiltration into a thin section of soil. A theoretical analysis of the process is tested by comparing predicted and observed times for pressure heads to develop in a fine sand sample. The technique is demonstrated using a fine sand, a loam, and a silty clay loam, and comparison is made with data obtained by other methods.