A new approach for studying vertical infiltration
Alexander Poulovassilis
A B and Ioannis Argyrokastritis A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Agricultural University of Athens, Dep. of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Water Resources, 75 Iera Odos str., 118 55 Athens, Greece.
B Deceased.
C Corresponding author. Email: jarg@aua.gr
Soil Research 58(5) 509-518 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR19266
Submitted: 27 September 2019 Accepted: 3 May 2020 Published: 22 June 2020
Abstract
The exact contribution of the pressure head gradient term during the vertical infiltration process, occurring in homogeneous porous media under zero ponding head, is determined analytically to advance the knowledge related to the infiltration phenomenon. This contribution is smaller than that of the horizontal infiltration by a factor at which is a measurable function of the infiltration time t, characteristic of each porous body. By adding to this contribution that of gravity, a new two-term analytical equation is formulated which exactly reproduces an available vertical cumulative curve and satisfies the physics governing infiltration process. The properties of at allow the derivation of an equation accurate for small and moderate t and of another one accurate for all t, including large values. By applying new methodologies, the values of the sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity are determined analytically from an available cumulative infiltration curve. Philip’s two-term equation, which does not satisfy the physical requirements at the upper extreme of t, and three other equations that do satisfy it, are examined in the light of the findings of the present work. The proposed equations are able to describe the vertical infiltration process and may be used to provide the hydraulic properties.
Additional keywords: hydraulic head gradient, zero ponding head.
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