Analytical Solutions of Seepage into Ditches from Ponded Fields

Abstract

A steady-state theory is developed for the seepage of ponded water into equally spaced drainage ditches in a homogeneous and anisotropic soil overlying an impervious barrier. Solutions are obtained for two general cases of the problem: (1) zero depth of ponded water; and (2) finite depth of ponded water. Equations of the hydraulic head, the stream function, the surface inflow velocity distribution, and the seepage rate per unit length of a ditch are derived for both cases of the problem. A verification of the proposed solution for case 1 is made by comparing a few results obtained from it with corresponding results obtained from the analytical and experimental works of Fukuda (1957).