Three‐dimensional analysis of infiltration from the disc infiltrometer: 2. Physically based infiltration equation

Abstract

In situ measurement of soil hydraulic properties may be achieved by analyzing the unconfined efflux from disc tension infiltrometers, once consistent infiltration equations can be derived. In this paper an analytical, three‐dimensional infiltration equation is developed, based on the use of parameters with sound physical meaning and adjustable for varying initial and boundary conditions. The equation is valid over the entire time range. For practical purposes, a simplified solution is also derived. The full and simplified equations give excellent agreement with published experimental results and are particularly useful for determining soil hydraulic properties through application of inverse procedures.