Pore-scale network modeling of compaction and filtration during surface sealing

A pore-scale network model was developed to simulate surface sealing mechanisms, with the objective of determining their relative importance. Filtration was more effective than compaction in reducing soil hydraulic conductivity during seal formation, even though compaction reduced seal porosity more than filtration. Most of the particles available for filtration were deposited on the network surface rather than being washed into the network. This suggests that surface deposition may be more important than compaction or filtration in determining the seal hydraulic conductivity. The network model can predict seal hydraulic conductivity from pore- and particle-size distributions and the initial hydraulic conductivity, and is potentially a useful research tool in understanding pore-scale mechanisms. -from Authors