Sadeghi, H., Chiu, A., Ng, C., Jafarzadeh, F. (2018). A vacuum-refilled tensiometer for deep monitoring of in-situ pore water pressure. Scientia Iranica, (), -. doi: 10.24200/sci.2018.5052.1063
Hamed Sadeghi; Abraham C.F. Chiu; Charles W.W. Ng; Fardin Jafarzadeh. "A vacuum-refilled tensiometer for deep monitoring of in-situ pore water pressure". Scientia Iranica, , , 2018, -. doi: 10.24200/sci.2018.5052.1063
Sadeghi, H., Chiu, A., Ng, C., Jafarzadeh, F. (2018). 'A vacuum-refilled tensiometer for deep monitoring of in-situ pore water pressure', Scientia Iranica, (), pp. -. doi: 10.24200/sci.2018.5052.1063
Sadeghi, H., Chiu, A., Ng, C., Jafarzadeh, F. A vacuum-refilled tensiometer for deep monitoring of in-situ pore water pressure. Scientia Iranica, 2018; (): -. doi: 10.24200/sci.2018.5052.1063
A vacuum-refilled tensiometer for deep monitoring of in-situ pore water pressure
1Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomechanics and Embankment Engineering, Professor, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
3Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chair Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Abstract
Real-time measurement of soil water pressure has been recognized as an essential part of investigating water flow in unsaturated soils. Tensiometry, amongst different measuring techniques, is a common method for direct evaluation of water pressure. However, the lower limit of measurable water pressure by a conventional tensiometer becomes even more limited by increasing its length in the vertical installation. This paper describes development of a vacuum-refilled tensiometer (VRT) for monitoring soil water pressure independent of installation depth. This is achieved by fixing the distance between pressure sensor and ceramic cup together with incorporating an ancillary vacuum-refilling assembly into its design. The assembly allows for more efficient replacement of diffused air into the ceramic cup and reservoir with water. The new tensiometer is designed to withstand both negative and positive water pressure of up to almost one bar. In addition, the response time of the tensiometer to a change in negative water pressure for its working range (≥ -80 kPa) is very quick, in the order of seconds and one minute at most. The long-term performance of the new tensiometer is evaluated through a five-month monitoring program in the laboratory, simulating cyclic wetting and drying in the field.
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