The rate of infiltration of lateritic soils

Abstract

Fifty-two infiltration tests were conducted on six soil types of Puerto Rico comprising three great soil groups: Laterite, Reddish Brown Lateritic, and Yellowish Brown Lateritic. The mean infiltration rate for the soils was very rapid, fluctuating from 3.72 to 9.47 inches per hour. This high infiltration rate is explained on the basis of a very high state of aggregation, the content of inert free sesquioxides, and the presence of kaolinitic type of clay in lateritic soils.