Abstract
A simplification for the variable sorptivity infiltration equation of Poulovassilis et al. (1989) is proposed. The resulting equation has three parameters S x, c and K 0. From these, S x and c are considered as fitting parameters and K 0 as a physical one. The new empirical infiltration equation is tested for precision, parameter time-dependence and applicability for soil surveys. The test was carried out by comparison with reference solutions i.e. infiltration data obtainedexperimentally, analytically or numerically for two different head conditionsat the infiltration surface. A good agreement is observed for all examinedcases. The dependence of the fitting parameters S x and c on the initialand boundary conditions, as well as the error that arises by taking intoaccount different values of them, are examined. In fine textured soilsparameter c seems to be very small, so that one can easily suppose that the proposed equation reduces to the well-known Philip's infiltration equation (Philip, 1957).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Antonakopoulos, A., Zikos, A., Damalas, P., Dimogiannis, D., Leletzis, T., Kariotis, T., Toulios, M., Aggelides, S. and Stamos, G.: 1982, Soil Survey of the Area of Molai-Asopos, Lakonia, Greece, Soil Science Institute of Athens (in Greek).
Elmaloglou, S.: 1980, ‘Effets des Stratifications sur les Transferts de Matieres dans les Sols’, Thése de Docteur Ingenieur, Université Sci. et Méd. de Grenoble, France.
Fok, Y.-S.: 1986, ‘Derivation of Lewis-Kostiakov intake equation’, J. Irrig. Drainage Eng., ASCE 112, 164–171.
Ghosh, R. K.: 1980, ‘Modeling infiltration’, Soil Sci. 130, 297–302.
Green, W. H. and Ampt, G. A.: 1911, ‘Studies on soil physics: I. Flow of air through soils’, J. Agric. Sci. 4, 1–24.
Haverkamp, R., Kutilek, M., Parlange, J.-Y., Rendon L. and Krejca, M.: 1988, ‘Infiltration under ponded conditions: 2. Infiltration equations tested for parameter time-dependence and predictive use’, Soil Sci. 145, 317–329.
Haverkamp, R. and Vauclin, M.: 1981, ‘A comparative study of three forms of the Richards equation used for predicting one-dimensional infiltration in unsaturated soils’, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 45, 13–20.
Horton, R. E.: 1940, ‘An approach toward a physical interpretation of infiltration capacity’, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 5, 399–417.
Kostiakov, A. N.: 1932, ‘On the dynamics of the coefficient of water percolation in soils and on the necessity for studying it from a dynamic point of view for purposes of amelioration’, Trans. 6 Comm. Intern. Soil Sci. Soc. Russian, Part A, 17–21.
Mezencev, V. J.: 1948, ‘Theory of formation of surface runoff’, Meteorologia i gidrologia 3, 33–40 (in Russian).
Parlange, J.-Y., Lisle, I., Braddock, R. D. and Smith, R. E.: 1982, ‘The three parameter infiltration equation’, Soil Sci. 133, 337–341.
Parlange, J.-Y., Starr, J. L. and Haverkamp, R.: 1990, ‘Numerical and Experimental Validation of a New Infiltration Equation’, Proceedings of the 4th National Conference of the Hellenic Hydrotechnical Assosiation, Heraclion, Crete, pp. 731–745.
Philip, J. R.: 1955, ‘Numerical solution of equations of the diffusion type with diffusivity concentration - Dependent’, Trans. Faraday Soc. 51, 885–892.
Philip, J. R.: 1957a, ‘Numerical solution of equations of the diffusion type with diffusivity concentration - Dependent: II’, Aust. J. Phys. 10(1), 29–42.
Philip, J. R.: 1957b, ‘The theory of infiltration: 4. Sorptivity and algebraic infiltration equations’, Soil Sci. 84, 257–264.
Philip, J. R.: 1958, ‘The theory of infiltration: 6. Effect of water depth over soil’, Soil Sci. 85, 278–286.
Poulovassilis, A., Elmaloglou, S., Kerkides, P. and Argyrokastritis, I.: 1989, ‘A variable sorptivity infiltration equation’, Water Res. Manage. 3, 287–298.
Swartzendruber, D.: 1987, ‘A quasi-solution of Richards equation for the downward infiltration of water into soil’, Water Res. Res. 23, 809–817.
Touma, J., Vachaud, G. and Parlange, J.-Y.: 1984, ‘Air and water flow in sealed, ponded vertical soil column: Experiment and model’, Soil Sci. 137, 181–187.
Tsakaleris, P., Aggelides, S. and Evaggeliou, S.: 1983, Soil Survey of the Area of Eleona-Amfissa, Fokida, Greece, Soil Science Institute of Athens (in Greek).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Argyrokastritis, I., Kerkides, P. A Note to the Variable Sorptivity Infiltration Equation. Water Resources Management 17, 133–145 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023663223269
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023663223269