Analytical Analysis of Partially Saturated Infiltration Coupled with Deformation in a Semi-Infinite Region

AbstractNumerical methods that incorporate hydromechanical processes in unsaturated soils meet substantial challenges when considering semi-infinite zones. Although restricted assumptions can limit applicability, the analytical solutions can offer opportunities for appraising numerical procedures. Analytical solutions to a one-dimensional semi-infinite region were developed using a Fourier integral transformation that incorporates the coupling between infiltration and deformation in unsaturated soils. The results show that the dimensionless rainfall intensity has a significant effect on the coupling effect. As the desaturation coefficient increases, the coupling effect becomes stronger. An increase in the initial pore-water pressure causes faster movement of the pore-water pressure profile.