Mathematical Modeling of Unsaturated Filtration in Swelling Soils Using the Capillary-Rise Problem as an Example

Abstract

A mathematical model of unsaturated filtration in swelling soils has been developed under the conditions of constancy of the entire volume of the medium. On the basis of the developed model, a solution to the problem on capillary rise of moisture in swelling soils has been obtained and characteristic features of the process have been established. A series of experiments on capillary rise of moisture in swelling and unswelling soils has been conducted. A comparison of solutions to the capillary-rise problem with experimental data has been made. Good agreement has been shown between the experimental data and the solutions to corresponding boundary-value problems.