Preliminary analyses of data from laboratory experiments indicated that increased slope has a positive influence on surface flow, and that this influence increases relatively with decreasing rainfall rate. Two mathematical models were employed, namely (i) numerical solution of 1-D saturated-unsaturated flow (Richards’ equation) on sloping surfaces, and (ii) a simplified 1-D sharp front model for sloping surfaces to simulate the laboratory experiments. A surface flow component based on the kinematic wave approximation for shallow flows was coupled to the subsurface flows to route water over the soil surface. An effective saturated conductivity was proposed to model the influence of slope and soil-type on water movement. Model results were found to be in reasonable agreement with observations with the use of the proposed effective saturated conductivity.
Modeling infiltration and deep flow over sloping surfaces
CORRADINI, Corrado;MORBIDELLI, Renato;FLAMMINI, ALESSIA;
2009
Abstract
Preliminary analyses of data from laboratory experiments indicated that increased slope has a positive influence on surface flow, and that this influence increases relatively with decreasing rainfall rate. Two mathematical models were employed, namely (i) numerical solution of 1-D saturated-unsaturated flow (Richards’ equation) on sloping surfaces, and (ii) a simplified 1-D sharp front model for sloping surfaces to simulate the laboratory experiments. A surface flow component based on the kinematic wave approximation for shallow flows was coupled to the subsurface flows to route water over the soil surface. An effective saturated conductivity was proposed to model the influence of slope and soil-type on water movement. Model results were found to be in reasonable agreement with observations with the use of the proposed effective saturated conductivity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
