Mathematical modelling of Fast, High Volume Infiltration in poroelastic media using finite elements

Abstract

As demand for water increases across the globe, the availability of fresh water in many regions is likely to decrease due to a changing climate, an increase in human population and changes in land use and energy generation. On the other hand, climate scenarios predict extreme periods of drought and rainfall. Heavy rainfall regularly leads to flooding, damaging infrastructure, and to erosion of valuable top soil. A simple and cheap solution for both global problems is emerging: storing rainwater in wet periods for use in dry periods. Fast, High Volume Infiltration (FHVI) is a recently discovered method to quickly infiltrate high volumes of fresh water and it was originally discovered in the field of construction. This research entails the mathematical modelling and the numerical simulation of FHVI in poroelastic media using the finite element method.