Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Hydraulic Properties Of Variably-Saturated Porous Media Determined Using Quantitative Neutron Radiography, Misun Kang

Doctoral Dissertations

The theoretical understanding of fluids in unsaturated porous media has improved substantially over the last several decades. Water retention curves remain a central pillar in the theoretical framework for modeling of water flow in unsaturated porous media. Use of the average water retention function in models to simulate water flow in porous media can result in inaccurate predictions due to the variations in water content and matric potential with elevation within the medium. As a result, point water retention curve data are needed for testing existing numerical and analytical models and for improving our ability to predict unsaturated water flow. …