WWCGGDF

The document contains two problems related to modeling soil infiltration rates. The first problem involves fitting Horton's equation to experimental infiltration data for a silt loam soil. The best-fit parameters are determined to be fo = 6.6 mm/hr, fc = 0.25 mm/hr, and k = 2.3573. The second problem uses Philip's equation to model infiltration for a clay soil over 3 hours in 0.5 hour increments. The cumulative infiltration and rate are calculated and plotted against time.

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WWCGGDF

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Answer the following problems:

1. The infiltration rate s a function of time for silt loam are given below. Determine the best values for
the parameters fo, fc and k for Horton’s equation to describe the infiltration of the silt loam soil at
the locality.

Time in hours 0 0.07 0.16 0.27 0.43 0.67 1.10 2.53

fp (mm/hr) 6.6 5.3 4.3 3.3 2.2 1.3 0.7 0.25

Assuming that the infiltration capacity reaches a constant value equals to fc = 0.25 mm/hr. Plotting
the ln(fp – fc) with t on linear scale.

The best fit line through the plotted poinls is drawn and its equation is obtained as:

ln(fp-fc) = 1.7826 – 2.3573x

-k = slope the best fit line = -2.3573, thus k = 2.3573; fo = 6.6mm/hr; fc = 0.25mm/hr
thus, the Horton equation is:
fp=0.25+ ( 6.6−0.25 ) e−2.3573t

fp=0.25+ ( 6.35 ) e−2.3573t

2. For clay soil at a given location parameters of Philip’s equation were found as S = 45 cm/hr^0.5 and
K = 10 cm/hr. Determine the cumulative infiltration and the infiltration rate of 0.5 hr increments for
a 3-hour period. Plot both as functions of time. Assume continuously ponded conditions.
SOL.
Cumulative infiltration: F ( t )=S t 0.5 + Kt
Infiltration rate: f ( t )=0.5 S t −0.5 + K
S=45cm/hr^0.5
K=10cm/hr
at t = 0.5 hr:
F ( t )=(45) ( 0.5 )0.5 +(10)(0.5) = 36.82 cm

f ( t )= 0.5(45) ( 0.5 )−0.5 +(10) = 41.82 cm/hr

at t = 1 hr:
F ( t )=(45) (1 )0.5 +(10)(1) = 55 cm

f ( t )=0.5 (45) ( 1 )−0.5 +(10) = 32.5 cm/hr

at t = 1.5 hr:
F ( t )=(45) (1.5 )0.5 +(10)(1.5) = 70.11 cm

f ( t )=0.5 (45) ( 1.5 )−0.5 +( 10) = 28.37 cm/hr

at t = 2 hr:

F ( t )=(45) ( 2 )0.5+(10)(2) = 83.64 cm

f ( t )=0.5 (45) ( 2 )−0.5 +(10) = 25.91 cm/hr

at t = 2.5 hr:

F ( t )=(45) ( 2.5 )0.5 +(10)(2.5) = 96.15 cm

f ( t )=0.5 (45) ( 2.5 )−0.5 +(10) = 24.23 cm/hr

at t = 3 hr:

F ( t )=(45) (3 )0.5 +(10)(3) = 107.94 cm

f ( t )=0.5 (45) ( 3 )−0.5 +(10) = 22.99 cm/hr

Time t (hr) 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Cumulative infiltration F(t) (cm) 36.82 55 70.11 83.64 96.15 107.94
Infiltration rate f(t) (cm/hr) 41.82 32.5 28.37 25.91 24.23 22.99
3. Use the Green-Ampt method to evaluate the infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration depth of a
silt clay soil at 0.1 hour increments up to 6 hours from the beginning of infiltration. Assume initial
effective saturation 20% and continuous ponding.
Sol.
For a silt clay soil, Ѱ=29.22cm; K=0.10cm/hr; n= 0.479; θi=20 % × 0.479
∆ θ=n−θi = 0.479 – 20%(0.479) = 0.38

F (t)
(
F ( t )−Ѱ ∆ θ ln 1+
Ѱ ∆θ )
=Kt

F (t)
(
F ( t )=Kt +Ѱ ∆ θ ln 1+
Ѱ ∆θ )
Sample calculation:
Taking a trial value of F(t)= Kt = 0.10(0.1) = 0.01cm
at t = 0.1 hr,
0.01
F ( t )=0.10 (0.1)+(29.22)( 0.38) ln 1+
( (29.22)(0.38) )
= 0.02cm

after number of iteration F(t) converges to a constant value of 0.35cm. thus F(t) = 0.35 cm
Infiltration rate after 0.1 hr is estimated by
Ѱ ∆θ
f =K ( +1)
F (t)
(29.22)(0.38)
f =0.10( +1)
0.35
f = 3.27cm/hr

at t = 6 hrs.
Taking a trial value of F(t)= Kt = 0.10(6) = 0.6cm
0.6
F ( t )=0.10 (6)+(29.22)(0.38) ln 1+
( )
(29.22)( 0.38)
= 0.02cm