Comparison between the predictive modified Kovács model and a simplified one-point method measurement to estimate the water retention curve. Issue 4 (21st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maqsoud, Abdelkabir; Bussière, Bruno; Mbonimpa, Mamert; Aubertin, Michel
• Is Part Of: Archives of agronomy and soil science. Volume 63:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 454
• Publication Date: 2017-03-21
• Subjects: Water retention curve -- predictive model -- modified Kovács model -- one-point measurement method; Horticulture -- Periodicals; Soils -- Periodicals; 630.5
• DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2016.1218476
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0365-0340

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The modified Kovács (MK) model can predict fairly well the water retention curve (WRC) of different types of soils, using basic geotechnical properties. Considering its relative simplicity and its ability, a study was initiated to compare this model to an alternative predictive approach involving a one-point measurement method (OPMM). The comparison result indicates that there is generally a good agreement between volumetric water content values predicted using the OPMM and the MK model and those obtained from direct measurements. However, the OPMM typically leads to a better correlation than the predicted values obtained with the MK model for cohesive fine-grained soils because shrinkage induced by suction is not taken into account. Hence, the MK model is deemed as a valuable tool that gives realistic estimates of the WRC using easy to obtain basic geotechnical parameters, when there is no direct measurement available for a point on the WRC, and this predictive model can be particularly useful at the preliminary phase of a project.