HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sposito, G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Sposito, G. Agricola Articles by Sposito, G.

On the Differential Equation for the Equilibrium Moisture Profile in Swelling Soil¹

ABSTRACT

Differential equations which describe the equilibrium vertical distribution of moisture in swelling soil have been derived previously using both thermodynamic and fluid-mechanical methods. A fundamental disagreement exists between these expressions which is resolved in this paper through a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the equilibrium state of water in a swelling soil. The correct differential equation for the moisture profile is found and the discrepancy between previous results is shown to have been caused either by introduction of extrathermodynamic variables or by an incorrect handling of the effect of overburden pressure on the soil water.

¹ Contribution from the Dept. of Soil Science and Agric. Eng., Univ. of Calif., Riverside 92502.

² Assistant Professor of Soil Science.

Received for publication May 21, 1975. Accepted for publication June 6, 1975.