Analysis of Borehole Infiltration Tests Above the Water Table

摘要

Numerical models were used for a saturated-unsaturated analysis of the formulas used in analyzing results from constant head borehole infiltration tests of saturated hydraulic conductivities of unsaturated soils above the water table. A finite element model capable of solving free surface problems shows that in the case where unsaturated flow is not present, the formulas are reasonably accurate for a practical range of borehole conditions. Two different numerical models, a mixed explicit-implicit finite element model and a mixed explicit-implicit integrated finite difference model are used to simulate the effect of unsaturated flow on borehole infiltration under conditions approximating field conditions.