Laboratory of Water and Agro-Environmental Resources
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Understanding the measurement, control, and regulation technologies for irrigation flows in open-flow and pressurized systems, as well as monitoring the main agro-meteorological variables and soil water status. Familiarity with data storage systems (dataloggers), digital/analog sensor interfacing, and datalogger programming. Knowledge of IoT platforms with soil-atmosphere sensors to support irrigation decision-making. Understanding the organization, treatment, and sharing of georeferenced data acquired (WebGIS). The knowledge and skills acquired during the first year of the study program and those developed in the laboratory will be used for the conception, design, and implementation of solutions applicable to case studies related to the development of monitoring systems for agro-hydrological variables and automated irrigation management.
Expected learning outcomes
Acquire skills related to the application of technologies for measuring, controlling, and regulating irrigation flows in open-flow and pressurized systems. Develop the ability to install and use soil-crop-atmosphere sensors. Gain familiarity with the use of IoT platforms based on soil hydrological balance models and sensors to support irrigation decision-making (DSS). Acquire the ability to program dataloggers, interfacing sensors with analog and digital outputs. Develop the capability to use systems for organization and processing of georeferenced data acquired (WebGIS). Design and manage a simplified automated irrigation system (programming the datalogger for the opening and closing of solenoid valves based on data acquired through field-installed sensors). Design and manage a simplified system for the automation of sluice gates to regulate the flow passing through an irrigation channel and those for field irrigation.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Measurements and their use in decision support systems
Flow measurement systems in pressurised systems (e.g. irrigation systems) and free surface systems (e.g. irrigation canals). [Fundamentals, characteristics/specifications of measurement systems (Parshall etc.), correct use and installation, maintenance etc.].
Sensors for the measurement of the main agro-meteorological and soil water status variables [characteristics of the main measuring instruments, accuracy, precision, installation, calibration, maintenance, etc.].
Data storage systems (e.g. data loggers, DL), digital/analogue signal transmission logic, DL programming [DL programming steps, type of signals to be processed, conversion of the electrical signal into physical variables, programming examples for humidity probes, thermometers, rain gauges, etc.].
IoT platforms with soil-atmosphere sensors to support irrigation decisions. Acquisition, transmission, programming, data management. Application examples.
Data organisation and information processing systems. [e.g. data, vector, raster data, data organisation, geodatabase + case study].
Control
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in static pressurised irrigation systems [solenoid valves, etc.]. Programming of control units. Application examples.
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in irrigation machines with articulated wings. Panel programming. Application examples.
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in gravity irrigation systems [PLC, SCADA, etc.]. Application examples.
Practical experience
Planning, design and installation of a monitoring system of the main agro-hydrological variables for the management of an irrigation system.
Automation and control of automated gates (e.g. PLC and sensor programming, block programming, command interface).
Flow measurement systems in pressurised systems (e.g. irrigation systems) and free surface systems (e.g. irrigation canals). [Fundamentals, characteristics/specifications of measurement systems (Parshall etc.), correct use and installation, maintenance etc.].
Sensors for the measurement of the main agro-meteorological and soil water status variables [characteristics of the main measuring instruments, accuracy, precision, installation, calibration, maintenance, etc.].
Data storage systems (e.g. data loggers, DL), digital/analogue signal transmission logic, DL programming [DL programming steps, type of signals to be processed, conversion of the electrical signal into physical variables, programming examples for humidity probes, thermometers, rain gauges, etc.].
IoT platforms with soil-atmosphere sensors to support irrigation decisions. Acquisition, transmission, programming, data management. Application examples.
Data organisation and information processing systems. [e.g. data, vector, raster data, data organisation, geodatabase + case study].
Control
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in static pressurised irrigation systems [solenoid valves, etc.]. Programming of control units. Application examples.
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in irrigation machines with articulated wings. Panel programming. Application examples.
Automatic flow control and regulation systems in gravity irrigation systems [PLC, SCADA, etc.]. Application examples.
Practical experience
Planning, design and installation of a monitoring system of the main agro-hydrological variables for the management of an irrigation system.
Automation and control of automated gates (e.g. PLC and sensor programming, block programming, command interface).
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have a sound knowledge of mathematics and physics. To be successful in the laboratory, students should have already passed the exam in the course 'Machines, Plants and Production Structures for Agriculture' and in this case the part related to soil hydrology and irrigation.
Teaching methods
Classroom theory, field activities, seminars, technical visits.
Teaching Resources
Slides and technical manuals proposed during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral test and the preparation of a project on the topics covered in the laboratory.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
- University credits: 10
Field activity: 112 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professors:
Facchi Arianna, Masseroni Daniele
Shifts:
Professors:
Facchi Arianna, Masseroni Daniele
Professor(s)