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Experimental Test of the Langevin Equation as a Model for Water Flow Through Unsaturated Soil
Author(s) -
Sposito Garrison,
Sullivan Patrick J.,
Gupta Vijay K.
Publication year - 1977
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/sssaj1977.03615995004100040044x
Subject(s) - langevin equation , thermal diffusivity , soil water , hydraulic conductivity , water flow , flow (mathematics) , water content , water potential , soil science , physics , mechanics , statistical physics , thermodynamics , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , geology
In this paper the parameters that appear in the Langevin Equation, a molecular model for the flow of water through soil, are expressed as functions of the hydraulic conductivity, the water diffusivity, and the soil water matric potential. Since the parameters must have values lying within certain ranges in order that the Langevin Equation and the Markovian hypothesis on water flow that comes from it be applicable, it is possible to test the equation and the hypothesis experimentally. The results for 15 different soils show that the equation and the Markovian hypothesis are consistent with soil water data for homogeneous, unsaturated soils throughout the normal field range of water content.