Probabilistic Unsaturated Flow along the Textural Interface in Three Capillary Barrier Models

Abstract

The probabilistic flow within capillary barrier models is evaluated by coupling a first-order reliability (probabilistic) model to a variably saturated flow model. The objective is to determine the most significant uncertain variable to probabilistic flow and the effect of different textural combinations. The model inputs include the mean and standard deviation of each uncertain variable. The van Genuchten curve-fitting model for unsaturated flow is used. The uncertain flow variables are saturated water content, residual water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and model parameters alpha