Theoretical study of the effect of permeability tensor upon drainage of soils

Abstract EN

the influence of permeability tensor upon drainage of anisotropic soils under ponded water and steady recharge (rainfall) is theoretically investigated.

Tensorial permeability has led to the formulation of mixed type partial differential equations.

Since there is no analytical solution to this problem, the formulation is therefore solved numerically by the method of finite elements.

The finite element formulation is implemented into a computer model which can be applied to any problem of seepage under steady state conditions.

Two different example problems representing two different flow conditions under full anisotropy have been studied.

Results of the model for the isotropic case were checked against exact mathematical solutions derived analytically for isotropic soils and found to be accurate which indicates that using this model for anisotropic soils is safe and sound.