Numerical analysis of soil volumetric water content and temperature variations in an embankment due to soil-atmosphere interaction

In this study, soil volumetric water content and temperature variations are analyzed in an embankment constructed at Hericourt in France. A fully coupled hydro-thermal soil model is developed allowing two dimensional analysis. With meteorological data, soil surface heat flux and water flux boundary conditions are estimated considering soil-atmosphere interaction. Comparisons between measurements and simulations reveal the relevance of the proposed approach, in particular in terms of suitable boundary conditions and soil parameters. Both field monitoring and numerical modeling indicate that the influence depth of soil-atmosphere interaction is limited for volumetric water content, but it is much greater for temperature. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.