Project Number: 6408-12130-014-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2005
End Date: Jun 30, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research program is to measure and model the propagation of seismic/acoustic waves in soils to better describe soil physical properties. This will include development of reliable acoustic and seismic technologies for the nondestructive measurement of both soil and crop variables that affect water availability and plant growth in food and fiber production systems. Of particular interest will be the development and measurement of acoustic/seismic coupling in sealing susceptible soils and in characterization of soil compaction. This effort will include development and construction and deployment of prototype instrumentation for measuring rate and total load of sediment discharge and changes in bed topography in alluvial channels. This effort will also include development of acoustic techniques for delineation and characterization of sediment accumulations within flood control structures.

Approach:
Field and laboratory studies will be conducted to measure the acoustic/seismic response of soils in various management conditions and sediment-laden flows in channel systems. Results will be analyzed, evaluated, and compiled with conventional measuring techniques. Laboratory studies will primarily address fundamental aspects of acoustic measurements, improve acoustic techniques and technology, and assist in the interpretation of acquired data. Field studies will be designed to evaluate practical applications of acoustic measurements for a wide range of soil and surface conditions and flow regimes. Instrumentation will be directed toward the design and development of specific monitors and sensors capable of measuring bulk flow, and hydraulic and sediment load properties in alluvial channel systems and of instrumentation for determining the storage capacity and integrity of flood control structures.