Prediction of Irrigation Advance Function by Dimensional Analysis

An irrigation advance function relating dimensionless parameters for estimating advance distance during irrigation application is proposed. A dimensional analysis technique is utilized for the derivation considering dominant variables such as the distance of advance, elapsed time, inflow stream per unit top width of flow, slope of soil bed, acceleration due to gravity, exponent in the Kostiakov type accumulated infiltration function, hydraulic conductivity of soil bed, and absolute roughness of the bed. Field data obtained for sandy loam soil have been utilized to determine the constants involved in the derived relationship, and computations are made with a digital computer using the least square technique of curve fitting.