A Mixed Lagrangian-Eulerian and Finite Element Approach to Modeling Variably Saturated Flows in Three Dimensions
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008: Ahupua'A
Abstract
A robust, efficient numerical solution of variably saturated flows in three dimensions will be presented. The solution algorithm was developed by applying the mixed Lagrangian-Eulerian (LE) and Finite Element (FE) approach to Richard's equation. The Lagrangian-Eulerian approach with accurate and robust particle tracking algorithms has been considered a better resolution for sharp front problems. However, the implementation of the algorithm to the advective form of the Richards equation has encountered difficulties resulting from the flux boundary conditions. Therefore, it was decided to develop a mixed LE and FE approach to circumvent the problem. In this approach, LE method was applied to interior nodes and the FE method to incoming-flux-boundary nodes. The goal was to develop numerical tools that can efficiently analyze the flow behaviors in saturated/unsaturated porous media. Application of the hybrid approach to a test problem shows that it is more robust and efficient over the conventional finite element methods.
Get full access to this chapter
View all available purchase options and get full access to this chapter.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2008 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 26, 2012
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Algorithms
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Finite element method
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Groundwater quality
- Hybrid methods
- Hydrologic engineering
- Lagrangian functions
- Mathematical functions
- Mathematics
- Methodology (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Numerical models
- Three-dimensional flow
- Water and water resources
- Water quality
- Water treatment
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.