CAPILLARY PRESSURE - UPC

Daniel Fernàndez Garcia
UPC – Constitutive eqs.
COMPONENTS OF SOIL WATER POTENTIAL
Not considered potentials:
Osmotic head (Solute Potential): Change in energy associated with
solutes (dissolved chemicals) in the soil water (or gas) compared to
clean water, pure water. Measures the capability of a solution to suck
water in.
Overburden head: Energy associated with changing the mechanical
pressure exerted by the unsupported solid material on the soil water
from zero to some value P env . For rigid soil P env =0. For swelling or
compacting sois P env >0.
Other grouped potentials terms:
h o
h b
Matric Potental and head: Soil-water systems only. Capillary
pressure or suction but may include overburden or intergranular forces
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