Premium
An approximate integral solution of vertical infiltration under changing boundary conditions
Author(s) -
Prasad S. N.,
Römkens M. J. M.
Publication year - 1982
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/wr018i004p01022
Subject(s) - ponding , infiltration (hvac) , boundary value problem , mathematics , saturation (graph theory) , geotechnical engineering , soil science , mathematical analysis , geology , meteorology , drainage , physics , ecology , combinatorics , biology
An approximate solution of the Richards equation was obtained with a spectral series solution for rain infiltration under changing boundary conditions. Prior to surface ponding a flux boundary condition was employed, which was followed by a concentration boundary condition. During this latter stage a flux matching boundary condition was used to describe the movement of the interface between the saturated and unsaturated zones. The solutions yield a general expression for ponding time, wetting front advance, and soil water profile. Infiltration rates beyond ponding include the effect of time dependent ponding height and saturation depth.