MODELLING TWO DIMENSIONAL HEAT AND MOISTURE TRANSFER IN UNSATURATED SOILS, INCLUDING GRAVITY EFFECTS

A theoretical model is presented to predict simultaneous transient coupled heat and moisture transfer in partly saturated soils. The formulation is in terms of volumetric moisture content, is two dimensional, includes gravitational flow and takes into account latent heat of vaporization effects. The numerical solution of the problem is accomplished by means of a finite element solution algorithm. Predictions from the numerical model are used to investigate the importance of gravitational flow, for the case of a soil stratum subjected to evaporation losses at the surface. The results achieved show good qualitative agreement with expected behaviour. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03639061
• Corporate Authors:

  Wiley (John) & Sons, Limited

  Baffins Lane
  Chichester, Sussex  England 
• Authors:
  • THOMAS, H R
• Publication Date: 1985-11-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 573-588
• Serial:
  • Intl J for Num & Analytical Methods in Geomechanic
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Wiley (John) & Sons, Limited
  • ISSN: 0363-9061

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Evaporation; Finite element method; Forecasting; Heat transfer; Mathematical models; Moisture content; Motion; Unsaturated soils
• Uncontrolled Terms: Moisture movement
• Old TRIS Terms: Gravity flow
• ITRD Terms: 5907: Degree of saturation (mater); 5430: Flow (fluid); 6743: Heat; 6473: Mathematical model; 5920: Moisture content; 4156: Soil; 9083: Two dimensional; 6468: Volume
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00466535
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1988 12:00AM