Premium
On the Differential Equation for the Equilibrium Moisture Profile in Swelling Soil
Author(s) -
Sposito Garrison
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1975.03615995003900060015x
Subject(s) - swelling , moisture , overburden , water content , overburden pressure , soil science , differential equation , thermodynamics , thermodynamic equilibrium , differential (mechanical device) , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , mathematics , geology , chemistry , materials science , physics , mathematical analysis , composite material , organic chemistry
Differential equations which describe the equilibrium vertical distribution of moisture in swelling soil have been derived previously using both thermodynamic and fluid‐mechanical methods. A fundamental disagreement exists between these expressions which is resolved in this paper through a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the equilibrium state of water in a swelling soil. The correct differential equation for the moisture profile is found and the discrepancy between previous results is shown to have been caused either by introduction of extrathermodynamic variables or by an incorrect handling of the effect of overburden pressure on the soil water.