IngentaConnect Soil air compression in clays during flood irrigation

Authors: Navarro; Yustres¹; Candel¹; García¹

Source: European Journal of Soil Science, Volume 59, Number 4, August 2008 , pp. 799-806(8)

Abstract:

Summary

Soil air is compressed ahead of the wetting front in flood irrigation when the water table is close to the ground surface and the soil is clayey. The general perception is that a two-dimensional two-phase flow model should be used to take into account the effects of air compression on infiltration. In this paper, we apply a model of this kind to validate this perception. The results show that the behaviour of the system is controlled by lateral air flow towards the contours of the ponded area. Even in cases where the width of the ponded area is reduced, in the clayey soils analysed, the soil air pressure is 22% greater than the atmospheric pressure, with a water intake rate amounting to only 19% of the values that would have been obtained if air compression (free air escape) had not been considered. Therefore, the suitability of use of a two-dimensional two-phase flow model is demonstrated quantitatively.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2389.2008.01035.x

Affiliations: 1: Geoenvironmental Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of Castilla - La Mancha, Edificio Politécnico, Avda Camilo José Cela, s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$44.84 plus tax