University of Wyoming University of Wyoming, Wyoming, United States
Abstract Submission: Finger flows is a common phenomenon in homogeneous porous media including snowpack and highly permeable hillslope while practical formulation has not been available. The generalization of physics for porous media flow will be presetned based on the Lagrangian Mechanics. First, Darcy formula was theoretically derived minimizing the energy loss by solving the Euler-Lagrange Equation with Rayleigh dissipation function. Second, the least energy loss (LEL) principle was then applied to the finger flow formation in homogenous media. It was discovered that inactive saturation (non-contributing void fraction) plays an essential role in finger flow formation. Moreover, this new theory can seamlessly handle the Darcy-Richards capillary flow and the Newtonian viscous flow theories. The LEL model was validated by the flow fraction data observed through the cold room laboratory experiment under well-controlled, homogeneous snow samples, (Katsushima et al., 2013). Preliminary LEL model simulation under dynamic conditions will be presented under various conditions.
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