Description
Return unsaturated/saturated conductivity ratio and reference gap.
Soil measurements distinguish bulk volume, pore volume, water mass, fine earth and excluded rock or sand. Gravimetric water content and volumetric water content have different denominators; accessible-pore shares and bulk-volume shares are not interchangeable. Supplied normalization bounds do not establish a validated retention curve.
Return unsaturated/saturated conductivity ratio and reference gap.
When to use this tool
Use Saturated Unsaturated Conductivity Ratio Term when checking the stated soil water, mass, pore or aggregate basis.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter unsaturated, saturated, referenceRelative. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read relative, referenceGap. Use the output convention below.
Return unsaturated/saturated conductivity ratio and reference gap. Require unsaturated >= 0 and saturated > 0; relative = unsaturated/saturated, gap = relative-referenceRelative.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| unsaturated | Unsaturated | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| saturated | Saturated | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| referenceRelative | Reference Relative | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| relative | unsaturated/saturated; this contract allows values greater than one. | Required. Finite number. |
| referenceGap | Reference Gap | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"unsaturated": 2,
"saturated": 10,
"referenceRelative": 0.25
},
"output": {
"relative": 0.2,
"referenceGap": -0.04999999999999999
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Ratios above one are retained; physical compatibility, actual hydraulic properties and a full conductivity curve are not verified.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified sampling, density and moisture measurements with the intended complete soil model for field water status, structure or management conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Soil Air Filled Porosity Moisture Sensitivity
Return air-filled porosity before and after a water change.
- Soil Pore Water Volume Subsample Term
Return subsample water volume and whole equivalent.