Numerical Calculation of Infiltration in Furrow Irrigation Simulation Models

Abstract

The computation of wetted‐perimeter‐dependent intake in a furrow irrigation simulation model using an empirical infiltration formula was examined. Different formulations were applied under increasing and decreasing depth of flow (and wetted‐perimeter) conditions. Four computational methods were compared for the former condition and only one was tested for the latter. The merit of the procedures was evaluated in relation to the performance of a finite difference unsteady surface flow model. The hydraulic model was developed using fixed spatial increments and variable time steps and solved with a shooting technique. Differences in advance trajectory resulted from application of each formulation, and numerical accuracy was also different with each computational method. Convergence of the shooting solution was obtained with all infiltration formulas during the advance phase, but there were noticeable differences in convergence rate. Only one of the formulas provided consistent results during storage and recession calculations. Numerical instability resulted as well from the application of the procedures with limited convergence.