Three dimensional modelling of interaction between surface and Darcy flow regimes through soils

Abstract

The present paper deals with the impact of surface flow on hydrodynamic conditions in saturated underground domains. A three dimensional finite element scheme has been used to simulate underground flow resulting from the flow of water over a saturated land. The results clearly show the effects of the surface flow on the hydrodynamic conditions of the subsurface porous regions. This analysis is an important prerequisite for the prediction of contaminant mobility in soils and hence provides a convenient tool for the prediction of interaction between surface and subsurface flow processes. For low permeability cases, considered here, the governing equations consist of water continuity and Darcy equations. These equations are solved using a robust and reliable finite element procedure.