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Coupled heat and mass transfer in unsaturated soil—a potential‐based solution
Author(s) -
Thomas H. R.,
King S. D.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.1610161005
Subject(s) - discretization , water content , work (physics) , capillary action , mechanics , mass transfer , heat transfer , finite element method , finite difference , moisture , finite difference method , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , thermodynamics , materials science , engineering , mechanical engineering , mathematical analysis , physics , composite material
An analysis of coupled heat and moisture movement in unsaturated soil in terms of the fundamental potentials for flow is examined. The approach adopted is based on the assumption that the total potential for liquid flow consists of two components, the elevation and the capillary potential. The fundamental potentials employed in the work are, therefore, temperature and capillary potential. The full theoretical formulation of the problem is presented, together with full details of the solution algorithm employed. Spatial discretization is achieved via the use of the finite element method, with the time‐varying behaviour described by a finite difference technique. Soil parameter variations as functions of both temperature and moisture content are included in a one‐dimensional approach. The work is applied to a practical engineering problem, namely heat and mass transfer in the upper layers of a soil stratum. This problem is of importance to the utilities, since many services are buried in this zone. Material parameters obtained from an associated programme of experimental work are employed. Moisture content and temperature profiles indicating the extent and rate of penetration of drying and heating fronts are produced.