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Efficient method for simulating gravity‐dominated water flow in unsaturated soils
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiaoxian,
Ewen John
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2000wr900182
Subject(s) - richards equation , soil water , convergence (economics) , flow (mathematics) , nonlinear system , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , water flow , computer science , mathematical optimization , geology , soil science , geometry , physics , quantum mechanics , economic growth , economics
Numerical convergence difficulties associated with nonlinearity in the hydraulic property functions are often encountered when simulating gravity‐dominated water flow in unsaturated soils using Richards' equation. A new approach for approximating the gravity term in Richard's equation is developed. Tests on a wide variety of soils show it is superior to existing Picard and Newton approaches. It is more reliable and efficient and allows larger time steps to be used.