Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Soil Moisture Profiles under Complex Rainfall Patterns

Abstract

The accuracy of soil moisture vertical profiles simulated by a conceptual model during erratic rainfall is investigated through laboratory and field experiments. Simulations were performed by a conceptual model earlier formulated for the estimate of local infiltration into vertically homogeneous soils. Laboratory and field experiments were set up. The results indicated that the conceptual model appropriately simulated the observed vertical profiles of soil water content during the stages of infiltration and reinfiltration produced by a wide variety of rainfall patterns. Thus, the conceptual model investigated may be considered a suitable component of watershed hydrological models as well as of models coupling soil and atmosphere.