An approximate analytical solution of Richards equation with finite boundary

Abstract

Abstract We apply a series expansion technique to estimate the water content distribution and front position in finite boundary conditions. We derive an approximate analytical solution of the Richards equation (RE) for the horizontal infiltration problem. The solution is suitable for arbitrary hydraulic diffusivity in water infiltration. Compared with the finite element method, two examples in power law diffusivity and van Genuchten model are shown to test the accuracy of present approximation.

Keywords

• series expansion technique
• finite boundary
• approximate analytical solution
• Richards equation
• van Genuchten model