A GREEN-AMPT MODEL OF INFILTRATION IN A CRACKED SOIL

Abstract

The motion of the wetting front in a two‐dimensional Green‐Ampt model of infiltration into a soil containing regularly spaced water‐filled vertical cracks is traced using a stepwise numerical procedure which progressively solves an integral equation for the velocity at points on the front at each time step. Initially, the calculated front exhibits a mushrooming effect at its base which diminishes both with time and as moisture potential becomes more negative. The shape of the front is independent of crack spacing/depth ratio until the interaction of wetted tongues emanating from adjacent cracks. Thereafter the front becomes flatter and advances further (cumulative infiltration is greater) re..