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Numerical Analysis of Soil Water Movement Under Conditions of Rapid Intermittency of Water Application
Author(s) -
Banerjee M.,
Watson K. K.
Publication year - 1984
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/wr020i001p00119
Subject(s) - intermittency , water content , hydraulic conductivity , water flow , environmental science , hysteresis , soil science , soil water , geology , geotechnical engineering , mechanics , hydrology (agriculture) , physics , quantum mechanics , turbulence
The significance of an intermittent system of water application to the surface of a vertical homogeneous profile of unsaturated porous material is discussed in relation to the establishment within the profile of a zone of material where uniform water content conditions prevail and flow is essentially gravitational in nature. A numerical analysis of water movement for such a system involving the simulation of up to 20 on‐off cycles of water application is outlined, and the approach used in modeling the hysteresis behavior for such an exacting pattern of reversals is detailed. Results are presented for water movement in a sand for four on‐off sequences: namely, 2.5 min‐2.5 min, 5 min‐5 min, 2.5 min‐5 min, and 5 min‐10 min. These results support the hypothesis that the section of the profile where water movement is continuously affected by hysteresis during the intermittent water application is limited to the near‐surface horizon with a lengthening zone of uniform water content material existing at greater depths. The use of this uniform water content zone is providing an in situ means of determining the hydraulic conductivity‐water content relationship and in optimizing water use in sprinkler irrigation systems is discussed briefly.