INFILTRATION
ANALYSIS
ENGR. REYCA JOICE Q. OBSIOMA, [Link].
HORTON’S
INFILTRATION
MODEL
The curve is called the Horton
Infiltration Capacity Curve. The
capacity decreases with time
and ultimately reaches a
constant rate, caused by filling
of soil pores with water, which
reduces capillary suction.
HORTON’S
INFILTRATION
MODEL
Horton (1933) showed that when the rainfall rate i exceeds the infiltration rate f, water
infiltrates the surface soils at a rate that generally decreases with time. These rates are
usually reported in inches per hour. For any given soil, a limiting curve defines the
maximum possible rates of infiltration vs time. The rate of infiltration depends in a
complex way on rainfall intensity, soil type, surface condition, and vegetation cover.
HORTON’S
INFILTRATION
MODEL
Equation:
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
Sample Problem:
Given:
fo = 1.5 in/hr
k = 0.35 /hr
fc = 0.2 in/hr
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
Sample Problem:
SOLUTION:
f (10mins) = 0.2 + (1.5-0.2)e-0.35(10/60)
= 1.426 in/hr
Given:
fo = 1.5 in/hr
f (30mins) = 0.2 + (1.5-0.2)e-0.35(30/60)
k = 0.35 /hr
= 1.291 in/hr
fc = 0.2 in/hr
f (1hr) = 0.2 + (1.5-0.2)e-0.35(1)
= 1.116 in/hr
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
Sample Problem:
SOLUTION:
f (2hrs) = 0.2 + (1.5-0.2)e-0.35(2)
Given: = 0.846 in/hr
fo = 1.5 in/hr
k = 0.35 /hr f (6hrs) = 0.2 + (1.5-0.2)e-0.35(6)
fc = 0.2 in/hr = 0.359 in/hr
𝟔
F (6hrs) = = 𝒕𝒅 𝒇 𝟎. 𝟐 + 𝟏. 𝟑 𝒆−𝟎.𝟑𝟓𝒕 𝒅𝒕
𝟎
= 4.459 in.
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
HORTON’S INFILTRATION MODEL
Sample Problem:
Given: SOLUTION:
fo = 1.5 in/hr
k = 0.35 /hr F (6hrs) = 𝒇𝒄 𝒕 +
𝒇𝒐 −𝒇𝒄
(𝟏 − 𝒆−𝒌𝒕 )
𝒌
fc = 0.2 in/hr = 0.2(6)+
𝟏.𝟓−𝟎.𝟐
(𝟏 − 𝒆 −𝟎.𝟑𝟓(𝟔)
)
𝟎.𝟑𝟓
= 4.459 in.
HORTON’S
INFILTRATION
MODEL
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
William Heber Green (1880-1932) Infiltration is modeled as unsaturated flow.
Gustav Adolph Ampt (1856-1953) Utilizes: Richard’s Equation and Darcy’s Law
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Richard’s Equation Darcy’s Law
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Five Principal Assumptions
1. The soil under consideration is homogeneous and stable, implying that macropores
and preferential migration pathways should not be considered.
2. The supply of ponded water at the surface is not limited.
3. A distinct and precisely definable wetting front exists, and as water continues to
infiltrate, the wetting front advances at the same rate with depth.
4. The capillary suction just below the wetting front is uniform throughout the profile
and constant in time during the infiltration event.
5. The soil is uniformly saturated above the wetting front, and the volumetric water
contents remain constant above and below the advancing wetting front.
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION
EQUATION
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Moisture profile at
Moisture profile at a
moment of surface
later time
saturation
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Downward infiltration (-f) is
equal to Darcy Velocity.
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Downward infiltration (-f) is
equal to Darcy Velocity.
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
GREEN-AMPT FORMULA
𝜓𝑀𝑑
𝑓 = 𝑘𝑠 1−
𝐹
Parameters:
Ks – depends on pore size and grain size
properties
𝜓 – difference between atmospheric pressure
and hydrostatic pressures
Md – function of effective porosity and initial
saturation
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Three possible Rainfall-Infiltration Scenarios
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Volume of Infiltration at Surface Saturation (Fs)
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Cumulative Infiltration as Function of Time
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
Sample Problem:
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
GREEN-AMPT
INFILTRATION EQUATION
PONDING TIME (GREEN-AMPT)
Ponding Depth Ponding Time
is the depth of water is the amount of time that
infiltrated at the time when elapsed when the ponding
the ponding starts to happen. starts to happen.
𝑀𝑑 𝜑
𝐹𝑠 = 𝐹𝑠
𝑖 𝑡𝑠 =
1− 𝑖
𝐾𝑠
PONDING TIME (GREEN-AMPT)
Sample Problem:
PONDING TIME (GREEN-AMPT)
Sample Problem:
PHILLIP’S EQUATION
Phillip’s infiltration equation is a mathematical model used to describe the
process of infiltration in soil. It was first proposed by L.D. Phillip in 1957. The
equation relates the rate of infiltration, or the amount of water that enters the
soil per unit time, to the soil's hydraulic conductivity, which is a measure of how
easily water can flow through the soil, and the soil's water content.
