Analytic Representation of the Optimal Flow for Gravity Irrigation

• Main Authors: Carlos Fuentes, Carlos Chávez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Water
• Subjects: Saint-Venant equations; Richards’ equation; Parlange equations; optimal irrigation flow; soil parameters; analytical representation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/10/2710

The aim of this study is the deduction of an analytic representation of the optimal irrigation flow depending on the border length, hydrodynamic properties, and soil moisture constants, with high values of the coefficient of uniformity. In order not to be limited to the simplified models, the linear relationship of the numerical simulation with the hydrodynamic model, formed by the coupled equations of Barré de Saint-Venant and Richards, was established. Sample records for 10 soil types of contrasting texture were used and were applied to three water depths. On the other hand, the analytical representation of the linear relationship using the Parlange theory of infiltration proposed for integrating the differential equation of one-dimensional vertical infiltration was established. The obtained formula for calculating the optimal unitary discharge is a function of the border strip length, the net depth, the characteristic infiltration parameters (capillary forces, sorptivity, and gravitational forces), the saturated hydraulic conductivity, and a shape parameter of the hydrodynamic characteristics. The good accordance between the numerical and analytical results allows us to recommend the formula for the design of gravity irrigation.