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Unsaturated vertical flows above a water table
Author(s) -
Weir G. J.
Publication year - 1989
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/wr025i001p00055
Subject(s) - saturation (graph theory) , exponential function , weighting , water table , hydraulic conductivity , richards equation , soil science , mathematics , water saturation , double exponential function , mechanics , geotechnical engineering , geology , soil water , mathematical analysis , porosity , physics , groundwater , combinatorics , acoustics
An effective conductivity (resistance) for unsaturated vertical flow through horizontal layers of quasi‐linear material above a water table is determined by summing “saturated” resistances in series, subject to an exponential weighting with depth. These effective conductivities essentially determine steady flows, while calculation of intercepts involve weighting changes in water saturation with effective conductivities (resistances) and an exponential function of depth. Exact expressions are determined for the intercept associated with changes in surface values of saturation, and for instantaneous rises in the water table, in a Davidson model soil.