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701-0504-00L 3 Credits MSC D-USYS , D-MATH , D-BAUG

Physics of the vadose zone

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Vogel, Dr. Peter Ulrich Lehmann Grunder
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:20

Abstract

The modeling of water flow and solute transport in the vadose zone requires a profound knowledge of the governing physical processes across scales. In a first part different approaches and tools to characterize properties at various scales will be presented. The second part will focus on the implementation of structural properties in the modeling of physical processes.

Objective

- To learn methods to describe structures and processes within the vadose zone at various scales - To understand the underlying principles and the pros and cons of the approaches - Linking physical phenomena and processes to the properties of the underlying structures at a smaller scale - Application of numerical tools on structure characterization and modeling

Content

1. part (Peter Lehmann) Approaches to describe structures and processes in the vadose zone at different scales are introduced. In each lecture a certain spatial scale will be discussed. For each scale a few properties and processes will be analyzed using numerical and theoretical tools. - Hierarchic Pore Scale: Fractal geometries to characterize particle size distribution and hydraulic material functions - Single Pore Scale: Cellular automata to model fluid dynamics - Cluster Scale: Mathematical properties and imaging tools to characterize patterns of fluid distribution - Scale of Representative Elementary Volume (REV): Dimensionless numbers and characteristic lengths to classify drying and infiltration fronts - Profile Scale: Diffusion-Limited Aggregation to quantify solute transport and soil structure - Slope scale: Self-Organized Criticality to model the triggering of landslides - Catchment Scale: Percolation theory to model surface and subsurface flow 2. part(Hans-Jörg Vogel): Based on the classical models for flow and transport in soils the required modifications to describe processes in structured systems are presented. The linkage between structural properties and relevant model parameters will be explained and described in numerical studies. - Classical description of flow in the vadose zone based on Richards equation - Relationship between structure and hydraulic properties - Structural effects on flow in natural soils - Dependence of flow on preceding processes (hysteresis) and dynamical effects - Classical description of solute transport (convection-dispersion) and modifications related to structured soils - Linking transport models and structure - Numerical exercises to simulate flow and transport in soils

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Physics of the vadose zone
Blockkurs im Juni, nach Vereinbarung
  • 04.06 Date 08:15-17:00 (CAB H 57)
  • 05.06 Date 08:15-17:00 (CAB H 57)
  • 10.06 Date 08:15-17:00 (CAB H 52)
  • 11.06 Date 08:15-17:00 (CAB H 52)
2 h weekly

Offered In