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 Day, P. R. Articles by Luthin, J. N. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Day, P. R. Articles by Luthin, J. N. Agricola Articles by Day, P. R. Articles by Luthin, J. N.

Pressure Distribution in Layered Soils during Continuous Water Flow¹

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of a pressure deficiency ("tension") in the liquid phase of flooded, freely drained soils has been observed in texturally stratified columns in the laboratory. This phenomenon has been explained in the following way on the basis of Darcy's law: If water flows downward through a soil layer at a rate which exceeds its hydraulic conductivity value, the loss of head by friction will exceed the energy supplied by gravity, and a pressure drop will occur along the path of flow.

A moderately permeable surface soil over a highly permeable substratum presents an excellent opportunity for the development of tension in the soil during flooding operations. The practical implications of this fact are discussed with reference to water spreading investigations.

¹ Contribution from the University of California, College of Agriculture. Presented before Division I, Soil Science Society of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 19, 1952.

² Associate Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Soils (Berkeley) and Assistant Professor of Irrigation, Department of Irrigation (Davis).

Received for publication December 8, 1952.