A mathematical model of tortuosity in soil considering particle arrangement. Issue 1 (27th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Sheng; Yan, Han; Teng, Jidong; Sheng, Daichao
• Is Part Of: Vadose zone journal. Volume 19:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-02-27
• Subjects: Soil science -- Periodicals; Zone of aeration -- Periodicals; Groundwater flow -- Periodicals; Groundwater flow; Zone of aeration; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 631.4
• DOI: 10.1002/vzj2.20004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-1663

Abstract

Abstract: Tortuosity is an important parameter for studying the permeability of soil. Existing studies of soil tortuosity are usually of empirical nature and attempt to relate tortuosity to soil porosity alone. By assuming a laminar flow through the pores of two‐dimensional square solid particles, we present a mathematical model for calculating soil tortuosity under different particle arrangements. The effect of the randomness of the particle arrangement on the tortuosity is evaluated, which generates the variation range of the tortuosity. The proposed model provides the upper and lower bounds of the tortuosity, while existing empirical models tend to fall within these bounds. The consistency between the proposed model and the numerical calculation provides a validity for the proposed model. Core Ideas: The effect of particle arrangement on the tortuosity is evaluated. A new mathematical model for computing tortuosity accounts for different particle arrangements. The model provides upper and lower bounds of tortuosity; existing models fall within these bounds.