Author(s)

C.G. Aguirre, K. Haghighi

Abstract

Finite element analysis of transient unsaturated flow: deterministic vs. stochastic approach C. G. Aguirre, K. Haghighi Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Purdue University, Indiana, USA Abstract This study implemented a large scale model for transient flow problems through the vadose zone derived using the stochastic approach to account for spatial variability of soil properties. The heterogeneity of natural soil formations were included in the effective hydraulic conductivity and specific moisture capacity. The set of stochastic differential equations was solved using a finite element formulation. A computer code was developed to implement the stochastic finite element formulation and a mesh generator was also developed to create the finite element mesh. Numerical simulations were performed for different scenarios using real data and the results for pressure head and volumetric water content distribution profiles at different times were compared

Keywords