Abstract
This paper presents a simple fractal model to quantify the effects of initial porosity on the soil‐water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. In the proposed conceptual model, the change of maximum pore radius, which largely determines the change of the air‐entry value, is directly related to the fractal dimension of pore volume (D) and porosity change. The hydraulic properties of unsaturated soils are then governed by the maximum pore radius, the fractal dimension of pore volume (D), and the fractal dimension of drainable pore volume (Dd ≤ D). The new fractal model removes the empirical fitting parameters that have no physical meaning from existing models for porosity‐dependent water retention and hydraulic behaviour and employs parameters of fractal dimensions that are intrinsic to the nature of the fractal porous materials. The proposed model is then validated against experimental data from the literature on soil‐water retention behaviour and unsaturated conductivity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
