An application of volume control method to simulation of unsaturated infiltration in soil environment under drip irrigation

Abstract

A method is presented for time variant extent of wetting volume that was developed in soil in response to infiltration from surface point source. This method is based on control volume solution of Richard’s equation for symmetrical coordination. By advantages of simple discretization equation, rapidly performed calculation, direct result of volumetric water content values for various types of soil could be given out. Sand, sandy loam and referenced loamy sand and silt loam were taken to study. Calculated results of wetting development from soil types were verified from both referenced paper’s result and experiment. There’s a good agreement between calculated wetting volume and the paper’s by using loamy sand and silt loam as well as experiment results.