Numerical modelling of hydraulic hysteresis in unsaturated soil covers

C. Yang, D. C. Sheng, J. P. Carter

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper aims to study the effect of hydraulic hysteresis on seepage in unsaturated soils. A hysteretic water retention model is incorporated into the Richards equation to describe water flow in unsaturated soils. A linear scanning curve is used to describe the hydraulic behaviour within the main hysteretic loop of the water retention curves. The proposed approach is implemented into a finite difference code, and is then used to analyse seepage in soil covers on wastes. An infiltration test on a two-layered soil column is simulated with the proposed hysteretic model. Results show that hydraulic hysteresis plays a crucial role in the seepage analysis of unsaturated soils subjected to cyclic drying and wetting. The hysteretic model is suggested for use in the design and evaluation of the hydraulic performance of soil covers.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationComputer Methods for Geomechanics: Frontiers and New Applications: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, Melbourne, Australia, 9-11 May 2011
    PublisherCentre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety
    Pages741-746
    Number of pages6
    ISBN (Print)9780980824421
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    EventInternational Conference on Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics -
    Duration: 9 May 2011 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Conference on Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics
    Period9/05/11 → …

    Keywords

    • hysteresis
    • seepage
    • soil infiltration rate
    • soils

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