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Water retention models for fractal soil structures
Author(s) -
BIRD N.R.A.,
BARTOLI F.,
DEXTER A.R.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
european journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 1351-0754
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1996.tb01365.x
Subject(s) - fractal , fractal derivative , characterisation of pore space in soil , fractal dimension , boundary (topology) , fractal dimension on networks , statistical physics , generality , mathematics , fractal analysis , geology , geometry , geotechnical engineering , porosity , mathematical analysis , physics , psychotherapist , psychology
Summary A review of water retention functions based upon fractal soil structures is presented. We consider the modelling approach for a fractal fabric, a fractal pore boundary and a fractal pore space, identifying the latter case as one of particular complexity. In each case, the water retention function is derived from the pore volume distribution arising from the structural model in question. We examine published models and highlight problems, namely lack of generality and inconsistency with the assumed fractal structure. The models considered in this paper do not account for the effects of pore connectivity, and as such their validity as a necessary condition for the existence of fractal structure is questionable.