Numerical analysis of environmental influences on evaporation in a cracked soil slope

Cracking phenomena are prevalent within clayey soils, substantially augmenting the evaporation process and exerting notable influences on soil thermo-hydro-mechanical properties. In this study, a new numerical method is developed to study the evaporation process of cracked soil, coupling moisture migration and heat transfer within both soil and air domains. The interconnection between these domains is established through boundary conditions based on soil-atmosphere interaction. This new model enables precise spatio-temporal tracking of evaporation rates and corresponding water redistribution. It is of significance for assessing the stability of soil slopes with cracks under changing climate. Three sets of numerical tests are performed to investigate the effects of different environmental conditions on the evaporation process: various groundwater tables, atmospheric conditions and crack morphologies. Results revealed that alterations in groundwater levels modify water recharge pathways, leading water content reduces firstly at soils where away from the water table. Atmospheric conditions, represented by Datm, affect the migration of water vapor. When Datm is low, it leads to the accumulation of vapor at the soil-atmosphere interface, consequently decreasing the rate of evaporation. Furthermore, crack morphology plays a significant role in evaporation process at crack surface, notably expediting water loss between cracks, particularly in closer proximities.