Scaling of infiltration rate using the similar media theory and dimensional analysis

Authors : Henry Oppong TUFFOUR, Mensah BONSU, Awudu ABUBAKAR, Janvier Bigabwa BASHAGALUKE, Murphy Acheampong OPOKU, Jimmy Clifford OPPONG

Pages : 308-317

Doi:10.18393/ejss.450299

View : 39 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2018-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The infiltration rates of variable soils were scaled using factors derived from the steady state infiltrability insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( K o ); and the saturated hydraulic conductivity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( K s ); based on the similar media theory and dimensional analysis. Infiltration rates were successfully scaled when the characteristic scaling infiltration rate equations were formulated through combination of the similar media theory and dimensional analysis. This study disproved the earlier notion that to successfully scale variable infiltration measurements, both sorptivity and steady state infiltrability were required. Thus, the study revealed that using the saturated hydraulic conductivity as a substitute for the steady state infiltrability could predict and scale infiltration rates more accurately. The study further highlighted the importance of the scaling factor insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α); in any characteristic equation supposedly to have been developed from the similar media theory. Invariably, the ability of any characteristic scaling equation containing no scaling factor to scale variable infiltration measurements successfully could be fortuitous and not evolved from the similar media theory.
Keywords : Dimensional analysis, saturated hydraulic conductivity, scaling factor, similar media, steady state infiltrability

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