Partially saturated flow from sand into a discrete smooth open vertical fracture at the soil–rock interface : experimental studies

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dc.contributor.author Brouwers, Luke Bernhard
dc.contributor.author Dippenaar, Matthys Alois
dc.date.accessioned 2019-08-20T07:47:18Z
dc.date.issued 2019-06
dc.description.abstract The two proposed conceptual models explaining partially saturated flow from soil into fractured rock in the intermediate fractured vadose zone have not been confirmed due to the difficulty involved in observing the soil–rock interface in situ. To address that challenge, this paper presents a series of newly developed physical experiments using a geotechnical centrifuge model of sand overlying a single dry clean smooth vertical fracture. The model shows the development of a perched water system and a saturated wetting front that progresses transversely along the interface, while breaching through the interface occurs via multiple point sources. The dominant flow mechanisms within the fracture comprise droplets, discontinuous rivulets with droplet formation, and continuous rivulets. A maximum drainage area of 30% of the width of the fracture contributes to the flow in the model, and this drainage area decreases with depth due to the merging of oscillating rivulets in the upper regions of the fracture. The presence of evidence supporting both conceptual models shows that a combined conceptual model is required to accurately explain partially saturated flow at the soil–rock interface. en_ZA
dc.description.department Geology en_ZA
dc.description.embargo 2020-06-01
dc.description.librarian hj2019 en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorship The South African Water Research Commission (www.wrc.org.za) for their continuous funding of ongoing research through projects K5/2326 (on the intermediate vadose zone) and K5/2449 (on contaminant transport through the vadose zone from cemetery sites). en_ZA
dc.description.uri http://link.springer.com/journal/10064 en_ZA
dc.identifier.citation Brouwers, L.B. & Dippenaar, M.A. Partially saturated flow from sand into a discrete smooth open vertical fracture at the soil–rock interface: experimental studies. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment (2019) 78: 2575-2590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1258-x. en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn 1435-9529 (print)
dc.identifier.issn 1435-9537 (online)
dc.identifier.other 10.1007/s10064-018-1258-x
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71146
dc.language.iso en en_ZA
dc.publisher Springer en_ZA
dc.rights © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018. The original publication is available at : http://link.springer.comjournal/10064. en_ZA
dc.subject Physical modelling en_ZA
dc.subject Soil–rock interface en_ZA
dc.subject Variable saturation en_ZA
dc.subject Fracture flow en_ZA
dc.subject Flow mechanisms en_ZA
dc.subject Geotechnical centrifuge en_ZA
dc.title Partially saturated flow from sand into a discrete smooth open vertical fracture at the soil–rock interface : experimental studies en_ZA
dc.type Postprint Article en_ZA


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