Numerical simulation of unsaturated flow in porous media under normal and reduced gravity conditions

Flow in unsaturated soil or soil stimulant, under different gravity conditions is investigated using a numerical model to ascertain the extent to which the lattice Boltzmann model observed flow behavior under reduced and variable gravity conditions. The results of the simulations indicate that the bulk behavior of unsaturated flow is predicted well by lattice Boltzmann equation. For the case of an inhomogeneous system consisting of two different porous media, even more different porous media, the fluid can find a preferential path, leading to non-uniform water transport and availability to plant roots.