蒸发条件下土壤水分响应模拟

基于有限元(FEM)和改进的积分型Richards方程解法(IRE方法)对蒸发条件下5种土体土壤水分响应进行了研究.数值实验结果表明:在土壤表面潜在蒸发量0.50 cm/d的情况下,5种土体土壤含水率变化曲线均呈现单拐点两阶段的特点,拐点出现在地表下20cm左右,拐点上部区域曲线曲率大于下部区域,两阶段的划分以15d左右为界,前阶段比后阶段的土壤水分变化快;蒸发模拟结果很好的证明了蒸发三阶段理论.总蒸发量和下边界排水量与土壤结构密切相关,而总水量变化量和变化率与土壤质地有关.IRE方法与FEM模拟结果基本一致,解法相对简单,模拟结果可靠性高.     

基于最小作用原理的Richards方程变分解

经典的Richards入渗控制方程属于偏微分方程,具有强烈的非线性,难以求得解析解。以入渗时间为最小作用量,基于Richards方程建立关于入渗路径的时间泛函,将考虑重力项的非饱和土垂直入渗问题转化为泛函极值问题,并构造等价的Euler-Lagrange方程进行求解。计算结果表明,扩散系数D（?）与概化湿润锋距离具有函数关系,当扩散系数D（?）形式已知时,可求得最优路径下湿润锋处含水率、较远处湿润锋最小含水率、土壤含水率最大熵分布3个问题,并基于最优路径检验了本研究条件下,Boltzmann变换和线性变换求解Richards方程的精度。求解过程未引进新变量化简Richards方程,不改变原方程结构,因此其解具有普遍性,可作为非饱和土力学计算的一个补充。     

Estimation of actual evapotranspiration by numerical modeling of water flow in the unsaturated zone: a case study in Buenos Aires, Argentina

A method is presented to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ET_A) from potential evapotranspiration (ET_P) by numerical modeling of water flow in the unsaturated zone. Water flow is described by the Richards equation with a sink term representing the root water uptake. Evaporation is included in the model as a Neumann boundary condition at the soil surface. The Richards equation is solved in a one-dimensional domain using a mixed finite element method. The values of ET_A are obtained by applying a water stress factor to ET_P to account for soil moisture changes during the simulation period. The proposed numerical model is used to estimate ET_A in an experimental plot located in a flatland area in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Numerical results show that the proposed model is a useful tool for evaluating evapotranspiration under different scenarios.     

A high‐frequency open boundary for transient seepage analyses of semi‐infinite layers by extending the scaled boundary finite element method

A high‐frequency open boundary has been developed for the transient seepage analyses of semi‐infinite layers with a constant depth. The scaled boundary finite element equation of pore water pressure is formulated first in the frequency domain. With the eigenvalue problem, the equation can be decoupled into modal equations whose modal dynamic permeability equation can be determined. The continued fraction technique is adopted to formulate the continued fraction solution in the frequency domain. All constants in the solution are determined recursively at the high‐frequency limit. By introducing auxiliary variables and the continued fraction solution to the relationship between the prescribed seepage flow and the pore water pressure in the frequency domain, the open boundary condition is obtained. After transformed to the time domain, the open boundary condition is expressed as a system of fractional differential equations. No convolution integral is required. The accuracy of the analysis results increases with the increasing orders of continued fraction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element modelling of three-phase flow in deforming saturated oil reservoirs

A numerical simulation is presented for three-dimensional three-phase fluid flow in a deforming saturated oil reservoir. The mathematical formulation describes a fully coupled governing equation systen which consists of the equilibrium and continuity equations for three immiscible fluids flowing in a porous medium. An elastoplastic soil model, based on a Mohr–Coulomb yield surface, is used. The finite element method is applied to obtain simultaneous solutions to the governing equations where displacement and fluid pressures are the primary unknowns. The final discretized equations are solved by a direct solver using fully implicit procedures. The developed model is used to investigate the problems of three-phase fluid flow in a deforming saturated oil reservoir.     

Some numerical issues using element‐free Galerkin mesh‐less method for coupled hydro‐mechanical problems

A new formulation of the element‐free Galerkin (EFG) method is developed for solving coupled hydro‐mechanical problems. The numerical approach is based on solving the two governing partial differential equations of equilibrium and continuity of pore water simultaneously. Spatial variables in the weak form, i.e. displacement increment and pore water pressure increment, are discretized using the same EFG shape functions. An incremental constrained Galerkin weak form is used to create the discrete system equations and a fully implicit scheme is used for discretization in the time domain. Implementation of essential boundary conditions is based on a penalty method. Numerical stability of the developed formulation is examined in order to achieve appropriate accuracy of the EFG solution for coupled hydro‐mechanical problems. Examples are studied and compared with closed‐form or finite element method solutions to demonstrate the validity of the developed model and its capabilities. The results indicate that the EFG method is capable of handling coupled problems in saturated porous media and can predict well both the soil deformation and variation of pore water pressure over time. Some guidelines are proposed to guarantee the accuracy of the EFG solution for coupled hydro‐mechanical problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steady infiltration from buried point source into heterogeneous cross‐anisotropic unsaturated soil

The paper presents the analytical solution for the steady‐state infiltration from a buried point source into two types of heterogeneous cross‐anisotropic unsaturated half‐spaces. In the first case, the heterogeneity of the soil is modelled by an exponential relationship between the hydraulic conductivity and the soil depth. In the second case, the heterogeneous soil is represented by a multilayered half‐space where each layer is homogeneous. The hydraulic conductivity varies exponentially with moisture potential and this leads to the linearization of the Richards equation governing unsaturated flow. The analytical solution is obtained by using the Hankel integral transform. For the multilayered case, the combination of a special forward and backward transfer matrix techniques makes the numerical evaluation of the solution very accurate and efficient. The correctness of both formulations is validated by comparison with alternative solutions for two different cases. The results from typical cases are presented to illustrate the influence on the flow field of the cross‐anisotropic hydraulic conductivity, the soil heterogeneity and the depth of the source. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An operator‐split ALE model for large deformation analysis of geomaterials

Analysis of large deformation of geomaterials subjected to time‐varying load poses a very difficult problem for the geotechnical profession. Conventional finite element schemes using the updated Lagrangian formulation may suffer from serious numerical difficulties when the deformation of geomaterials is significantly large such that the discretized elements are severely distorted. In this paper, an operator‐split arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) finite element model is proposed for large deformation analysis of a soil mass subjected to either static or dynamic loading, where the soil is modelled as a saturated porous material with solid–fluid coupling and strong material non‐linearity. Each time step of the operator‐split ALE algorithm consists of a Lagrangian step and an Eulerian step. In the Lagrangian step, the equilibrium equation and continuity equation of the saturated soil are solved by the updated Lagrangian method. In the Eulerian step, mesh smoothing is performed for the deformed body and the state variables obtained in the updated Lagrangian step are then transferred to the new mesh system. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed ALE method are verified by comparison of its results with the results produced by an analytical solution for one‐dimensional finite elastic consolidation of a soil column and with the results from the small strain finite element analysis and the updated Lagrangian analysis. Its performance is further illustrated by simulation of a complex problem involving the transient response of an embankment subjected to earthquake loading. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simplified analysis method for piled raft foundations in non‐homogeneous soils

A simplified method of numerical analysis based on elasticity theory has been developed for the analysis of axially and laterally loaded piled raft foundations embedded in non‐homogeneous soils and incorporated into a computer program “PRAB”. In this method, a hybrid model is employed in which the flexible raft is modelled as thin plates and the piles as elastic beams and the soil is treated as springs. The interactions between structural members, pile–soil–pile, pile–soil–raft and raft–soil–raft interactions, are approximated based on Mindlin's solutions for both vertical and lateral forces with consideration of non‐homogeneous soils. The validity of the proposed method is verified through comparisons with some published solutions for single piles, pile groups and capped pile groups in non‐homogeneous soils. Thereafter, the solutions from this approach for the analysis of axially and laterally loaded 4‐pile pile groups and 4‐pile piled rafts embedded in finite homogeneous and non‐homogeneous soil layers are compared with those from three‐dimensional finite element analysis. Good agreement between the present approach and the more rigorous finite element approach is demonstrated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

确定滤纸法试验平衡时间的数值模拟

滤纸法是一种测量非饱和土基质吸力的重要方法,而测量结果是否准确,控制滤纸法的试验时间非常重要.基于有限元数值分析软件SEEP/W,建立滤纸法的数值模型,分析滤纸法试验过程中的水分运移过程,研究非饱和黏土的水力参数、初始重力含水率、初始干密度等因素对滤纸法平衡时间的影响.结果表明,试验开始时,干燥滤纸会迅速吸水,随后滤纸与土样吸力才逐渐平衡,以含水率为判断标准得到的平衡时间T_w会小于以吸力为判断标准得到的平衡时间T_ψ,建议滤纸法的实际试验时间接近于T_ψ.滤纸法的平衡时间约为4～16 d,当土样饱和渗透系数较小时,滤纸法的平衡时间大大增加,平衡时间随土水特征参数a、n、饱和渗透系数、初始含水率及干密度的增大而减小,随饱和体积含水率的增加而增加.     

Measurement of flow properties of expansive clays

The paper deals with the determination of the flow properties of expansive and unsaturated clays under different conditions of stress. By choosing the moisture content as the dependent variable, the well known non-linear diffusin equation is derived. Numerical solutions using a finite element program are presented, assuming a linear relationship between the moisture diffusivity and the concentration (the relative moisture content). These solutions are interpreted and a procedure is proposed to derive the flow properties of the clay from the sorption curves. Results of tests are presented and used to illustrate the procedure. It is found that the lower the stress applied, the smaller the initial moisture diffusivity and the stronger the dependence of the moisture diffusivity upon the concentration.     

加速型改进迭代法在非饱和土渗流中的应用研究

Richards方程常用于非饱和土渗流问题,并且应用广泛。在数值求解中,对Richards方程线性化,进而采用有限差分法进行数值离散以及迭代计算。其中传统的迭代法比如Jacobi迭代、Gauss-Seidel迭代法（GS）和连续超松驰迭代法（successive over-relaxation method,简称SOR）迭代收敛率较慢,尤其在离散空间步长较小以及离散时间步长较大时。因此,采用整体校正法以及多步预处理法对传统迭代法进行改进,提出一种基于整体校正法的多步预处理Gauss-Seidel迭代法（improved Gauss-Seidel iterative method with multistep preconditioner based on the integral correction method,简称ICMP(m)-GS）求解Richards方程导出的线性方程组。通过非饱和渗流算例,并与传统迭代法和解析解对比,对改进算法的收敛率和加速效果进行了验证。结果表明,提出的ICMP(m)-GS可以很大程度地改善线性方程组的病态性,相较于常规方法GS,SOR以及单一改进方法,ICMP(m)-GS具有更快的收敛率,更高的计算效率和计算精度。该方法可以为非饱和土渗流的数值模拟提供一定参考。     

Theoretical study and simulation of moisture transport in unsaturated porous media by periodic homogenization

In this work, the macroscopic Richards equation for moisture transport is established in unsaturated porous media using periodic homogenization. By performing dimensional analysis on microscopic equations of moisture transfer, dimensional numbers characterizing moisture transport appear. The application of the asymptotic homogenization leads to the classical Richards equation, which is justified rigorously this way. Moreover, we obtain an accurate definition of the homogenized diffusion tensor of moisture involving the geometric properties of the microstructure and known transport properties of the material. A different behavior for the transport of water vapor between hygroscopic and super‐hygroscopic region is revealed. Finally, a simple 2D example where an analytical solution exists is addressed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Settlement of soil due to water uptake by plant roots

The settlement of soil occurs whenever there is an increase in effective confining stress. The withdrawal of water by plant roots results in a change in water pressure and moisture content in the soil. The variation in the moisture content leads to a change in the effective stress that causes a decrease in porosity which eventually results in the settlement of soil. The driving force for the uptake of water by the roots is the difference in the plant water and soil water potential existing between the soil solution adjacent to the roots and the root xylem. In case of transpiring plants, this driving force is mainly due to the tension (negative pressure) produced in the roots. A finite element solution of the governing equation yields the variation of moisture content with depth and the total settlement of the soil column due to the extraction of water by the plant roots. The simulated results indicate the damaging situation due to changes in the soil moisture content on account of transpiring trees and plants grown around the perimeter of structures. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adjoint analysis of Buckley-Leverett and two-phase flow equations

This paper analyzes the adjoint equations and boundary conditions for porous media flow models, specifically the Buckley-Leverett equation, and the compressible two-phase flow equations in mass conservation form. An adjoint analysis of a general scalar hyperbolic conservation law whose primal solutions include a shock jump is initially presented, and the results are later specialized to the Buckley-Leverett equation. The non-convexity of the Buckley-Leverett flux function results in adjoint characteristics that are parallel to the shock front upstream of the shock and emerge from the shock front downstream of the shock. Thus, in contrast to the behavior of Burgers’ equation where the adjoint is continuous at a shock, the Buckley-Leverett adjoint, in general, contains a discontinuous jump across the shock. Discrete adjoint solutions from space-time discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximations of the Buckley-Leverett equation are shown to be consistent with the derived closed-form analytical solutions. Furthermore, a general result relating the adjoint equations for different (though equivalent) primal equations is used to relate the two-phase flow adjoints to the Buckley-Leverett adjoint. Adjoint solutions from space-time discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximations of the two-phase flow equations are observed to obey this relationship.     

Three-dimensional heat,moisture and air transfer in unsaturated soils

A new three-dimensional numerical model of coupled heat, moisture and air transfer in unsaturated soil is presented. In particular, the model accommodates moisture transfer in the form of liquid and vapour flow and heat transfer arising from conduction, convection and latent heat of vaporization. The bulk flow of dry air and the movement of air in a dissolved state are also included. The theoretical basis of the model, the finite element solution of the spatial terms and finite difference solution of the temporal terms are briefly presented. Attention is focused on the verification of the new numerical solution. This is achieved via comparisons with independent solutions of heat, moisture and air transfer in an unsaturated soil. The physical problem considered includes the highly non-linear hydraulic properties of sand. Thermal conductivity is also included as a function of soil moisture content. Excellent correlation of results is shown thus providing confidence in the new model. The new model is also applied to a number of test cases which illustrate the need for the development of a model which can fully include three-dimensional behaviour. In particular, three applications are presented each increasing in complexity. The first application illustrates three-dimensional heat transfer. This particular application is verified against existing commercial finite element software. Subsequent applications serve to illustrate how the coupled processes of heat moisture and air transfer combine to yield three-dimensional problems even within a simple geometric domain. Visualization of three-dimensional results is also addressed. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A generalized approximate analytical solution of horizontal infiltration in unsaturated soil

A generalized analytical solution for one-dimensional nonlinear horizontal infiltration in unsaturated soil is presented. The solution is an improved functional extremum method based on the principle of stationary action. Any prior assumption about the form of moisture diffusion functions is not implemented in the method. By considering a function of time, the water content type governing equation in the horizontal infiltration process is transformed into a function extremum problem. After solving the Euler–Lagrange equation, combined with boundary conditions, a linear relationship between the moisture diffusion function and the ratio of spatial location to the wetting-front distance is proposed. Furthermore, by using the square relationship between the wetting front and time, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the water content profile are finally expressed. In contrast to most other work, the physical meanings of the parameters in this study are clear and can be derived explicitly. By utilizing the simultaneous Brooks–Corey moisture diffusion function, the development and distribution law of the water content profile was explicitly presented. The results of the solution matched well with the existing theoretical results of the four different soil samples. Owing to the high nonlinearity of the van Genuchten moisture diffusion function, the distribution of the water content profile was implicitly found based on the study method. The results obtained using this method were also consistent with the MATLAB routine, pdepe, numerical solutions for different types of soil properties.

     

Elastic‐plastic solutions for expanding cavities embedded in two different cohesive‐frictional materials

An analytical solution of cavity expansion in two different concentric regions of soil is developed and investigated in this paper. The cavity is embedded within a soil with finite radial dimension and surrounded by a second soil, which extends to infinity. Large‐strain quasi‐static expansion of both spherical and cylindrical cavities in elastic‐plastic soils is considered. A non‐associated Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion is used for both soils. Closed‐form solutions are derived, which provide the stress and strain fields during the expansion of the cavity from an initial to a final radius. The analytical solution is validated against finite element simulations, and the effect of varying geometric and material parameters is studied. The influence of the two different soils during cavity expansion is discussed by using pressure–expansion curves and by studying the development of plastic regions within the soils. The analytical method may be applied to various geotechnical problems, which involve aspects of soil layering, such as cone penetration test interpretation, ground‐freezing around shafts, tunnelling, and mining. © 2014 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

非饱和渗流模拟中非均匀空间网格的改进方法

Richards方程在非饱和渗流模拟及其他相关领域应用广泛。在数值求解过程中,可以采用有限差分方法进行数值离散并迭代求解,为了获得较可靠的数值解,常规的均匀网格空间步长往往是较小的。在一些不利数值条件下,如入渗于干燥土壤,迭代计算费时甚至精度也不能得到很好改善。因此,文章提出Chebyshev空间网格改进方法,结合有限差分方法对Richards方程进行数值离散以获得线性方程组,并通过经典的Picard迭代方法进行迭代求解线性方程组以得到Richards方程的数值解。通过均质土和分层土2个不利情况下的非饱和渗流算例,又结合模型解析解和软件Hydrus-1D,对比研究了改进网格方法与均匀网格方法获得数值解的精度。结果表明,提出的Chebyshev网格方法相较于传统的均匀网格,可以在较少的节点数下获得较高的数值精度,又具有较小的计算开销,有较好的应用前景。     

A novel finite element method for seepage analysis

A novel finite element method has been proposed in this paper for the solution of seepage problems economically and accurately. In this method the governing equation and the prescribed boundary conditions are transformed so that they refer to a suitable logarithmically condensed ‘image’ space; the physical problem domain is also mapped into the image space. The transformed equation is then solved in the image space using standard finite elements, subject to the transformed boundary conditions. Because physical space is logarithmically condensed in the image space, the proposed method is capable of dealing with large or very large aspect ratio seepage problems economically and accurately. The validity of the method has been demonstrated by means of a number of examples including anisotropy and non-linearity. In all cases an excellent degree of accuracy was achieved, efficiently and economically.