Record Details
A predictor-corrector method for solving the diffusion equation for water movement in unsaturated soil
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | A predictor-corrector method for solving the diffusion equation for water movement in unsaturated soil |
| Names |
Ng, Benedict Loil-Chong
(creator) Guenther, Ronald B. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1967-11-30 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1968 |
| Abstract | The study of water movement in unsaturated soils by using appropriate diffusion equations has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In this study, a numerical technique is developed for solving a generalized, dimensionless diffusion equation by the use of a digital. computer. Diffusivity and capillary conductivity equations derived by Brooks and Corey [2] have been used instead of measured data; thus, the dimensionless diffusion equation can be applied to many soils and many kinds of fluids. In this thesis, the diffusion equation has been solved for the one -dimensional, vertical case, where drainage was permitted from an initially saturated soil. Some dimensionless curves of water content distribution in soil profiles at various selected times are presented. Outflow data calculated as a function of time is also included. The computer solutions using the Brooks -Corey approximations seem to fit the experimental data very well. It therefore seems that the diffusion equation solved here is a satisfactory model for water movement in unsaturated soil. An ALGOL program is included in the Appendix. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Diffusion -- Computer programs |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/47152 |
