Title page for ETD etd-101299-170037

Document Type thesis

Author Name Schaffer, Joseph F.

URN etd-101299-170037

Title Verification and Adaptation of an Infiltration Model for Water at Various Isothermal Temperature Conditions

Degree MS

Department Civil & Environmental Engineering

Advisors
Dr. Frederick L. Hart, Department Head
Dr. Cindy Sue-Shih Kao, Major Advisor

Keywords
capillarity
soil infiltration
soils
isothermal temperatures

Date of Presentation/Defense 1996-05-20

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
A series of one dimensional horizontal infiltration experiments were performed to investigate the predictive capabilities of the Kao and Hunt model. By modifying pristine laboratory apparatus, a reasonable range of soil temperatures was achieved. Experiments were run at approximately 5°C, 20°C, and 35°C. Distilled water was used as an infiltrating liquid and silica powder was used as soil. The infiltrating liquid was dispensed into the column at zero pressure head. The results of the experiments show that the model is adaptable to a range of temperature conditions by modifying terms for the liquid effects of the model, viscosity and surface tension. Experimental data and model predictions differed by 30 percent at most. Although the change in the rate of infiltration across the range of temperatures is perceivable, it is small in comparison to the effects caused by heterogeneity encountered in nature.

Files
schaffer.pdf

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Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Schaffer, Joseph F.
URN	etd-101299-170037
Title	Verification and Adaptation of an Infiltration Model for Water at Various Isothermal Temperature Conditions
Degree	MS
Department	Civil & Environmental Engineering
Advisors	Dr. Frederick L. Hart, Department Head Dr. Cindy Sue-Shih Kao, Major Advisor
Keywords	capillarity soil infiltration soils isothermal temperatures
Date of Presentation/Defense	1996-05-20
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract A series of one dimensional horizontal infiltration experiments were performed to investigate the predictive capabilities of the Kao and Hunt model. By modifying pristine laboratory apparatus, a reasonable range of soil temperatures was achieved. Experiments were run at approximately 5°C, 20°C, and 35°C. Distilled water was used as an infiltrating liquid and silica powder was used as soil. The infiltrating liquid was dispensed into the column at zero pressure head. The results of the experiments show that the model is adaptable to a range of temperature conditions by modifying terms for the liquid effects of the model, viscosity and surface tension. Experimental data and model predictions differed by 30 percent at most. Although the change in the rate of infiltration across the range of temperatures is perceivable, it is small in comparison to the effects caused by heterogeneity encountered in nature.
Files	schaffer.pdf