Open AccessModeling the Soul Surface Seal from a Filtration Perspective
Author(s) -
Nara Somaratne,
Keith Smettem
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of agricultural and marine sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2410-1079
pISSN - 2410-1060
DOI - 10.24200/jams.vol3iss1pp9-18
Subject(s) - hydraulic conductivity , seal (emblem) , mechanics , porosity , filtration (mathematics) , conservation of mass , suspension (topology) , transient (computer programming) , boundary (topology) , geotechnical engineering , surface (topology) , moisture , scaling , bulk density , materials science , soil science , environmental science , mathematics , soil water , computer science , geology , physics , mathematical analysis , geometry , composite material , art , visual arts , operating system , homotopy , statistics , pure mathematics
A physically based model of soil surface scaling is proposed. The governing equations are formulated on the principle of conservation of mass assuming Darcy's law applies to suspension flowing through the soil surface. The model incorporates the physics of surface sealing by mechanisms that capture suspended particles moving with infiltrating water. As a result of particle retention in the soil system, the intrinsic porosity is reduced and hulk density is increased, resulting in changes to soil hydraulic properties such as moisture retention and hydraulic conductivity. Empirical functions are developed to describe the changes of these properties as the seal develops. With this approach, the seal can be mathematically described by well defined initial and boundary conditions and transient seal properties can be simulated in a physically realistic manner.