A peridynamic model of flow in porous media

Rami Jabakhanji*, Rabi H. Mohtar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a nonlocal, derivative free model for transient flow in unsaturated, heterogeneous, and anisotropic soils. The formulation is based on the peridynamic model for solid mechanics. In the proposed model, flow and changes in moisture content are driven by pairwise interactions with other points across finite distances, and are expressed as functional integrals of the hydraulic potential field. Peridynamic expressions of the rate of change in moisture content, moisture flux, and flow power are derived, as are relationships between the peridynamic and the classic hydraulic conductivities; in addition, the model is validated. The absence of spacial derivatives makes the model a good candidate for flow simulations in fractured soils and lends itself to coupling with peridynamic mechanical models for simulating crack formation triggered by shrinkage and swelling, and assessing their potential impact on a wide range of processes, such as infiltration, contaminant transport, and slope stability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-35
Number of pages14
JournalAdvances in Water Resources
Volume78
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015

Keywords

  • Derivative-free model
  • Flow
  • Non-local model
  • Peridynamics
  • Soil cracking
  • Unsaturated soil

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology

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