X-Ray CT for Quantifying Water Content at Points Within a Soil Body

Abstract

X-ray computed tomography (CT) was used to predict wetting and drainage in a sand media (Bulk density 1.505 Mg/m^). Calibration equations were developed based on water content at the end of the study (6 days of drainage) and these equations successfully predicted initial water content. In one of the two test sections, predicted water content was well within 1% and, in general, the predicted values were within 10%. Scan artifacts may explain the larger of the two levels of variation. CT was found to be a useful tool for studying soil and water problems not easily studied using conventional water content measurement methods.