An Empirical Model for Aeolian Sandy Soil Wetting Front Estimation with Subsurface Drip Irrigation

In subsurface irrigation systems in desert areas, the wetting front transport pattern allows determination of flow and timing. this study, an indoor experiment on aeolian sandy soil is designed, vertical horizontal movement distances under different flows are obtained. The dimensional analysis method was used to perform a experimental data. An empirical setting distance estimation model, which only considers three parameters, saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks, Q, total volume V, proposed. model’s accuracy statistically evaluated with observed data verified by numerical simulation using HYDRUS-2D/3D. mean absolute error (MAE) root square (RMSE) proposed model downward directions were 0.80 0.95 cm, respectively, percentage bias (PBIAS) −3.47 ≤ ±10 Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) 0.98, close 1. Thus, can contribute selection appropriate depth spacing laterals.