Author(s): Volz Christian; Boes Robert M.
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: An accurate determination of variably saturated seepage flow through earth embankments is an important engineering task. Numerous approaches exist solving the highly non-linear Richard's equation for this task, typically based on Finite-Element or Finite-Difference formulations. Recently, a modeling approach using the LatticeBoltzmann method (LBM) for the Richards equation was presented and validated on simple test cases. Models based on the LBM have advantageous characteristics concerning simplicity, complex geometries, parallel efficiency and the possibility to easily extend the model framework to other flow processes, making it suitable for coupled simulations. In this work the LBM is applied for the Richard's equation in 2D and 3D on structured meshes. Different formulations of the Richard's equation based on the moisture content and the pore pressure are used. Two types of retention models after Brooks-Corey and Van Genuchten are implemented. The applicability of the approach is investigated using idealized test cases and scenarios concerning small-scale and large-scale embankments. The results are compared to selected analytical, experimental and numerical results.
Year: 2012