Permeability Characteristics of Tropical soils at UTP Campus

Soil permeability varies spatially and this spatial variability causes difficulty to
representing a soil with a deterministic or precisely defined set of permeability value. In
Malaysia, the studies on the spatial variability of soil permeability are limited. This
study examines the spatial variability of soil permeability in UTP campus area located
in Tronoh. The objective is to map the variation in soil hydraulic characteristics in the
study area. Statistical and geostatistical method was used in this study. 50 soils sample
were collected on the field from predefined geo-grid location.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is used to determine the reference points for the
making of the the geo-grid sampling locations. Samples were then taken to the
laboratory for analysis. The method that used to measure the permeability of the soil
samples was The Falling Head Permeability test. Laboratory test result were then
subjected to statistical and geostatistical analysis. Digitizing Software was used to
digitize the map of the study area. Geostatistical characterization was performed by the
GS+ and Surfer Software. Kriging method is used for the interpolation of the ensample
location and preparing map of the spatial variability of the permeability rates in UTP
campus area is prepared.
Besides, it also can allows mapping of the spatial distribution and the normal statistics
will helped in identifying causes of the variability in the soil permeability. Others, even
the semivariogram shows the consistent result, however the relatively low r2 (0.638)
show poor fit to data. This is because in the fact that the number of the sample is not
enough for that extend of area studied.
The significant variation of soil permeability exists in the area of studied are shown in
the result. Larger range and the lower sill indicates that the soil permeability are
spatially dependent over long distance (large range) and the variability is low (indicates
by low sill). Land disturbance and land topographic conditions donate to the variability
of soil permeability.