Simplified Relation Model of Soil Saturation Permeability Coefficient and Air-Entry Value and Its Application
Gaoliang Tao, Zhijia Wu, Wentao Li, Yi Li, Heming Dong
Abstract
Based on the Tao and Kong (TK) model and the fractal model of the soil–water characteristic curve, a simplified model of the relationship between the saturated permeability coefficient and the air-entry value is established in this study: ks = k0ψa−2. It is shown that the saturated permeability coefficient of soil is determined by its maximum pore size. In order to facilitate the mutual prediction of saturation permeability coefficient and air-entry value, based on the data of five types of soil in the UNSODA database, the comprehensive proportionality constant k0 of the five types of soil were obtained: sand k0 = 0.03051; clay k0 = 0.001878; loam k0 = 0.001426; sandy loam k0 = 0.009301; and silty clay loam k0 = 0.0007055. Based on the obtained comprehensive proportionality constant k0 and the relationship model between saturated permeability coefficient and air intake value, the air-entry value of five kinds of soils in the existing literature and the SoilVision database were calculated. Comparing the calculated air-entry value with the measured one, the results showed that the model simplifies the traditional air-entry value prediction method to some extent and can effectively predict the air-entry value of different types of soil. On the whole, the model better predicts the air-entry value for sandy, clay, and silty clay loam than loam and sandy loam.