N. K. S. Al Saoudi - Professor, Building & Construction Engineering Dept. /University of Technology
M. Sh. M. Al Shakerchy - Lecturer, College of Engineering/University of Kufa

Najaf is one of the most important cities in Iraq, lies on the edge of the sedimentary plain of the lower Mesopotamian. Historically speaking Najaf consists of two cities, the old represents small districts surrounding the holy shrine of Imam Ali and new which extends to the east and southern east. Najaf soil is very complicated, distinguished by the presence of gypsum crystals incorporated with lumps of sands in addition to the presence of holes and/or cavities on the ground surface. This paper focuses on the rate of water infiltration through the base and surrounding walls of a pit with dimensions 8m by 5.5m and 0.4m in depth filled with water. The process of filling was repeated several times with full observation and continuous field measurements. The results revealed some useful characteristics and correlations regarding the infiltration of water.

infiltration, Al Najaf, infiltration rate