Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Soil Moisture Profiles under Complex Rainfall Patterns
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 12
Abstract
The accuracy of soil moisture vertical profiles simulated by a conceptual model during erratic rainfall is investigated through laboratory and field experiments. Simulations were performed by a conceptual model earlier formulated for the estimate of local infiltration into vertically homogeneous soils. Laboratory and field experiments were set up. The results indicated that the conceptual model appropriately simulated the observed vertical profiles of soil water content during the stages of infiltration and reinfiltration produced by a wide variety of rainfall patterns. Thus, the conceptual model investigated may be considered a suitable component of watershed hydrological models as well as of models coupling soil and atmosphere.
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Acknowledgments
This research was mainly financed by the National Research Council of Italy, by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, and by the Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia Foundation.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 12 • December 2008
Pages: 1170 - 1176
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 7, 2007
Accepted: Apr 2, 2008
Published online: Dec 1, 2008
Published in print: Dec 2008
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