Abstract
This paper presents a new approach to solve Richards' equation. It introduces a nonlinear transformed pressure, Pt, as the dependent variable with the modified Picard method. The new approach was compared to, and contrasted with, two efficient existing methods: the ϕ‐based transformation method (Kirkland et al., 1992), and the h‐based modified Picard method (Celia et al., 1990). A total of 12 different one‐dimensional cases were considered (saturated, unsaturated, layered and uniform soil profiles, with pressure and flux type boundary conditions). The results show that the new method offers excellent CPU efficiency and, unlike the h‐based method, is numerically robust for all cases of variably saturated, heterogeneous media, and first or second type boundary conditions. The method does not require difficult numerical coding, and its CPU efficiency is not affected by complicated heterogeneous and hysteretic media. The Pt transformation is easy to incorporate into existing h‐based codes.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
