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Multidimensional steady infiltration to a water table
Author(s) -
Philip J. R.
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/wr025i001p00109
Subject(s) - water table , infiltration (hvac) , rotational symmetry , point source , mathematics , drainage , water flow , water supply , mechanics , geotechnical engineering , geometry , geology , environmental science , groundwater , meteorology , physics , environmental engineering , ecology , optics , biology
We address the question of the applicability of the body of solutions for quasi‐linear multidimensional steady infiltration with perfect drainage to cases with a water table (or, by inference, a sloping impermeable base) at a finite depth beneath the water supply source. The exact solutions for steady quasi‐linear point and line sources over a water table are our point of departure. With their aid we construct approximate solutions to the general problem of three‐dimensional axisymmetric and two‐dimensional steady infiltration from finite water supply sources at fixed moisture potential to a water table at finite depth. We take as illustrative solutions disc‐ and strip‐shaped water supply sources. When the depth from the source to the water table (or the base) is of order 4 sorptive lengths, perfect drainage solutions yield discharge estimates of ample accuracy. When the depth is less, our approximate analysis gives, in favorable cases, the requisite correction. In less favorable cases it gives the order of magnitude of the correction. The study is facilitated by a method of exponentially weighted images, applicable to the quasi‐linear flow equation.