A probabilistic investigation of infiltration in the vadose zone: proposal for a new formula of infiltration rate

✍ Scribed by Erick Carlier

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 115 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6087
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.6495

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The infiltration rate in the unsaturated zone is analysed from a probabilistic point of view. It is shown that the empirical formulas of Horton and Kostiakov, without apparent physical basis, are explained in a probabilistic approach. Horton's formula reflects a Markovian process contrary to Kostiakov's formula. This approach made it possible to explain why Kostiakov's formula is more powerful than that of Horton. A new equation of infiltration is proposed. The three formulas were compared, for four types of soil, with the model of van Genuchten based on the Richards equation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.