Finite element method for single pit soil water movement simulation under water storage pit irrigation

In order to design water storage pit irrigation of fruiter in arid area reasonably, mathematic model of single pit two-dimensional soil water movement was established based on the theory of soil water dynamics and the characteristics of soil moisture movement of single pit infiltration. The finite element method was used to solve it. The mathematic model was also established to confirm the changing process of water level in water storage pit according to the mass conservation principle. A series of indoor experiments were conducted to verify the model. The computational results derived from the model of water level change in water storage pit, water front and soil moisture content were in accordance with the experimental results. It indicated that the mathematic model of soil water movement and the changing process of water level were correct and solving the model with finite element method was feasible. The model can be used to simulate the single pit soil moisture distribution rule.