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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
after number of iteration F(t) converges to a constant value of 4.05 cm.
thus, after 6 hrs:
F ( t )=4.05 cm
Infiltration rate after 6 hrs is estimated by
Ѱ ∆θ
f =K ( +1)
F (t)
(29.22)(0.38)
f =0.10( +1)
4.05
f =0.37 cm/hr
