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Transient‐ and Steady‐flow Experiments Testing Theory of Water Flow in Saturated Bentonite
Author(s) -
Smiles D. E.
Publication year - 1978
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/sssaj1978.03615995004200010003x
Subject(s) - flow (mathematics) , bentonite , darcy's law , transient (computer programming) , mechanics , transient flow , hydraulic conductivity , thermodynamics , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , geology , soil science , steady state (chemistry) , porous medium , chemistry , computer science , porosity , physics , soil water , operating system
The theory of water flow in a saturated, swelling clay has recently been criticized. This criticism concerns possible effects on the material characteristics of particle re‐orientation during transient flow, as well as suggestions that the flux equation (Darcy's law) may be inappropriate to such systems. This paper examines these problems by comparing data from transient‐ and steady‐flow experiments with bentonite. The data from all experiments are mutually consistent within the experimental error. It is concluded that Darcy's law is valid for this material and that the conductivity/water content, and water content/suction relationships are well defined.