• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.2904-2912
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• 1973

The density of soil is one of the most important of its engineering properties, and many soil-engineering operations directed toward improving the density characteristics of matecal. This report is a study on relationship between density, permiabilty and other physical properties of compacted soil in various desity grades. The results of the study can be summariged as follow: 1. The optimum moisture content of soil increses with increasing of fine particles and a relationship between both parameter is $w_0=0.1765.n$ Where, n is passing percentage from #200 sieve. 2. The porosity of soil increases with increasing of optimum water content as $e=aw_0+b$ without having relation to compaction ratio. 3. The increment of permeability of soil is high when the compaction ratio is increased and the phenomenon is conspicuous in case of course soil and non-plastic soil. 4. The permeability of soil decreases with increasing of optrimum water content and the phenomenon is conspicuous when compaction ratio decreases. And the permeability is almost constant when optimum water content is more than 25 percent, even though compaction ratio changes. 5. The permeablity of soil increanses when the amount of fine particles is very few, the permeability is almost constant as being impervious condition without having relation to compaction ratio when there in more than 90 percent of fine particles(less than #200 sieve).

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Dielectric constant depends on the variation of soil water content, and the estimation of soil water content using time domain reflectometry (TDR) has been studied by many researchers. The purpose of this study is the development and application of TDR penetrometer (TDRP) in order to evaluate the soil water content according to the penetration depth. The TDRP consists of cone, sleeve, driving rod, hammer, and guide. Three electrodes, which are used to measure the dielectric constant of soils, are mounted on the surface of sleeve and, in turn, connected with coaxial cable and time domain reflectometer. To establish the relationship between the volumetric water content and dielectric constant, several laboratory tests by using the TDRP are performed in the specimens with a variety of volumetric water content. The experimental results show that the dielectric constant is strongly correlated to volumetric water content as polynomial equations with an order of 3. In addition, the volumetric water content calculated from the dielectric constant is similar to that obtained from the sample weight. In the field, a small sampler is used to compare the volumetric water content calculated from the dielectric constant with the volumetric water content obtained from the sample. The results of field application demonstrate that the volumetric water content estimated by the TDRP shows similar trend to the gravimetric water content of sample. This study suggests that the TDRP is effectively used to evaluate the volumetric water content of unsaturated soils according to the penetration depth.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.81-103
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• 1979

The weathered granite soil involves problems in its stability in soil structures depending upon the reduction of soil strength due to the water absorption, crushability, and content of colored mineral and feldspar. As an attemt to solve the problems associated with soil stability, the crushability of weathered granite soil was investigated by conducting tests such as compaction test, CBR test, unconfined compression test, direct shear test, triaxial compression test, and permeability test on the five soil samples different in weathering and mineral compositions. The experimental results are summarized as follows: The ratio of increasing dry density in the weathered granite soil was high as the compaction energy was low, while it was low as the compaction energy was increased. The unconfined compressive strength. and CBR value were highest in the dry side rather than in the soil with the optimum moisture content, when the soil was compacted by adjusting water content. However, the unconfined compressive strength of smples, which were compacted and oven dried, were highest in the wet side rather than in soil with the optimum moisture content. As the soil becomes coarse grain, the ratio of specific surface area increased due to increased crushability, and the increasing ratio of the specific surface area decreased as the compaction energy was increased. The highest ratio of grain crushability was attained in the wet side rather than in the soil with the optimum moisture content. Such tendency was transforming to the dry side as the compaction energy was increased. The effect of water on the grain crushability of soil was high in the coarse grained soil. The specific surface area of WK soil sample, when compacted under the condition of air dried and under the optimum moisture content, was constant regardless of the compaction energy. When the weathered granite soil and river sand with the same grain size were compacted with low compaction energy, the weathered granite soil with crushability had higher dry density than river sand. However, when the compaction energy reached to certain point over limitation, the river sand had higher dry density than the weathered granite soil. The coefficient of permeability was lowest in the wet side rather than in the optimum moisture content, when the soil was compacted by adjusting soil water content. The reduction of permeability of soil due to the compaction was more apparent in the weathered granite soil than in the river sand. The highly significant correlation coefficient was obtained between the amount of particle breakage and dry density of the compacted soil.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.09a
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• pp.404-415
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• 2010

In this paper, using the TDR sensors, variation of soil water content changes were measured as TDR data. Then filtering technique was determined using Fourier transform. Determine the moisture content of soil and ground water level and tried to determine unsaturated zone. First, variation of water content changes were measured TDR data by indoor experiment. Then as a function of TDR data made for water content of soil. Next, through Acrylic indoor laboratory model experiments, changes in ground water levels and lateral penetration of the field conditions were reproduced in an indoor. Field applicability of the TDR sensor was demonstrated by analysis of this. TDR sensor was installed in the embankment, TDR data were measured by TDR sensor.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2022

As research on a controlled environment system based on crop growth environment sensing for sustainable production of horticultural crops and its industrial use has been important, research on how to properly utilize soil moisture sensors for outdoor cultivation is being actively conducted. This experiment was conducted to suggest the proper method of utilizing the TEROS 12, an FDR (frequency domain reflectometry) sensor, which is frequently used in industry and research fields, for each orchard soil in three regions in Korea. We collected soils from each orchard where fruit trees were grown, investigated the soil characteristics and soil water retention curve, and compared TEROS 12 sensor calibration equations to correlate the sensor output to the corresponding soil volumetric water content through linear and cubic regressions for each soil sample. The estimated value from the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer was also compared. The soil collected from all three orchards showed different soil characteristics and volumetric water content values by each soil water retention level across the soil samples. In addition, the cubic calibration equation for TEROS 12 sensor showed the highest coefficient of determination higher than 0.95, and the lowest RMSE for all soil samples. When estimating volumetric water contents from TEROS 12 sensor output using the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer, their calculated volumetric water contents were lower than the actual volumetric water contents, with the difference up to 0.09-0.17 m³·m^-3 depending on the soil samples, indicating an appropriate calibration for each soil should be preceded before FDR sensor utilization. Also, there was a difference in the range of soil volumetric water content corresponding to the soil water retention levels across the soil samples, suggesting that the soil water retention information should be required to properly interpret the volumetric water content value of the soil. Moreover, soil with a high content of sand had a relatively narrow range of volumetric water contents for irrigation, thus reducing the accuracy of an FDR sensor measurement. In conclusion, analyzing soil water retention characteristics of the target soil and the soil-specific calibration would be necessary to properly quantify the soil water status and determine their adequate irrigation point using an FDR sensor.

• Mycobiology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to understand spatio-temporal changes of active fungal biomass and water in Tricholoma matsutake soil colonies during the mushroom fruiting season. The active fungal biomass was estimated by analyzing ergosterol content at four different points within four replicated locations in a single circular T. matsutake colony at Ssanggok valley in the Sogri Mt. National Park in Korea during 2003 to 2005. The four points were the ahead of the colony, the front edge of the colony and 20 cm and 40 cm back from the front edge of the colony. Ergosterol content was 0.0 to 0.7 ${\mu}g$ per gram dried soil at the ahead, 2.5 to 4.8 ${\mu}g$ at the front edge, 0.5 to 1.8 ${\mu}g$ at the 20 cm back and 0.3 to 0.8 ${\mu}g$ at the 40 cm back. The ergosterol content was very high at the front edge where the T. matsutake hyphae were most active. However, ergosterol content did not significantly change during the fruiting season, September to October. Soil water contents were lower at the front edge and 20 cm back from the front edge of the colony than at the ahead and 40 cm back during the fruiting season. Soil water content ranged from 12 to 19% at the ahead, 10 to 11% at the edge, 9 to 11% at the 20 cm back and 11 to 15% at the 40 cm back. Our results suggest that the active front edge of the T. matsutake soil colony could be managed in terms of water relation and T. matsutake ectomycorrhizal root development.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.232-241
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• 2012

We investigated the relationship between vegetation type and soil carbon dynamics in even-aged alder (Alnus hirsuta) and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) plantations in central Korea. Both forests were located on the same soil parent material and occupied similar topographic positions. Soil $CO_2$ efflux in the two plantations was determined using a dynamic chamber method accompanied by measurements of soil moisture content and temperature. Mean soil temperature was similar in the two plantations, but mean soil water content was significantly higher in the alder plantation than in the pine plantation. In both plantations, seasonal patterns in soil $CO_2$ efflux exhibited pronounced variation that corresponded to soil temperature. Soil water content did not affect the seasonal variation in soil $CO_2$ efflux. However, in summer, when soil temperature was above $17^{\circ}C$, soil $CO_2$ efflux increased linearly with soil water content in the alder plantation. Estimated $Q_{10}$ was 3.3 for the alder plantation and 2.7 for the pine plantation. Mean soil respiration during the measurement period in the alder plantation was 0.43 g $CO_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1}$, which was 1.3 times higher than in the pine plantation (0.33 g $CO_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1}$). Higher soil $CO_2$ efflux in the alder plantation might be related to nitrogen availability, particularly the concentration of $NO_3{^-}$, which was measured using the ion-exchange resin bag method.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.519-527
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• 2022

Shear failure in soil is the primary cause of most geotechnical structure failures or instability. Soil water content is a significant factor affecting soil shear strength. In this study, the shear strength of samples with different water contents was tested. The shear strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle decreased with increasing water content. Based on the variation of cohesion and internal friction angle, the water content zone was divided into a high-water content zone and low-water content zone with a threshold water content of 15.05%. Cohesion and internal friction angle have a good linear relationship with water content in both zones. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) test presented that the aggregates size of the compacted loess gradually increases with increasing water content. Meanwhile, the clay in the compacted loess forms a matric that envelops around the surface of the aggregates and fills the inter-aggregates pores. A quantitative analysis of bound water and free water under different water contents using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test was carried out. The threshold water content between bound water and free water was slightly below the plastic limit, which is consistent with the results of shear strength parameters. Combined with the T2 distributions obtained by NMR, one can define a T2 relaxation time of 1.58 ms as the boundary point for bound water distribution without free water. Finally, the effects of bound water and free water on shear strength parameters were analyzed using linear regression analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.122-131
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• 1999

Indoor environments are usually less than optimal for the growth of ferns, especially in regards to the water condition. These studies were performed to investigate responses involved in causing growth of ferns and presume management plan against the water deficit under indoor conditions. The effect of air humidity and soil moisture on the ferns was examined in Adiantume raddianum and Selaginella kraussiana. Results of experiments are as follows; 1. Under a low humidity condition, having a 25-50% RH. ornamental value of ferns decreased much more than under a 90% RH. Under a low soil moisture, such as sand treatment, ornamental value of ferns also decreased. 2. Leaf chlorophyll content, water content and stomata situations increased as air humidity and soil moisture went up. 3. Even if air humidity and soil water were not enough for ferns growth, the extending of irrigation cycle was helpful. 4. Under extremely low air humidity conditions, some water management, namely, using water holding soil or extending of irrigation cycle was desirable. Other methods of increasing air humidity, including water instruments such as ornamental pools, waterfalls, or fountains, grouping plants together were also helpful. But spraying water on leaves increased injury to ferns growth because of excess evaporation from the leaves. Though these studies, we learn that ferns are susceptible to water condition such as air humidity, soil water and water management. If other environmental factos are maintained with optimal conditions, water condition plays an important role in ferns growth in indoor environments.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2017

Crop production in rice paddy fields is of great importance because of declining rice consumption and the low self-sufficiency ratio for field crops in Korea. A controlled drainage system (CDS) is recognized as an effective means to adjust water table (WT) levels as needed and control soil water content to improve the soil environment for optimum crop growth. The present study evaluated the effects of a CDS on soil characteristics, including soil water distribution and soybean development in paddy fields. The CDS was installed with two drain spacing (3 m and 6 m) at the experimental paddy field at the National Institute of Crop Science, Miryang, Korea. It was managed with two WT levels (0.3 m and 0.6 m) during the growing season. Soil water content, electrical conductivity and plant available nitrogen content in the soil were significantly greater in the 0.3 m WT management plots than in the 0.6 m plot and the control. At the vegetative stage, chlorophyll content was significantly lower with higher WT control because of excess soil moisture, but it recovered after the flowering stage. Soybean yield increased with WT management and the 0.6 m WT treatment produced the greatest grain yield, $3.38ton\;ha^{-1}$, which was 50% greater than that of the control. The CDS directly influenced outflow through the drains, which significantly delayed nutrient loss. The results of this study indicated that WT management by CDS can influence soil characteristics and it is an important practice for high yielding soybean production in paddy fields, which should be considered the crop growth stages for stable crop production.