Abstract
In the previous chapter, a computational network porous-solid model was
developed to simulate the hydraulic behavior of unsaturated soils. However, important
computational constraints make this model unpractical. In this chapter, a probabilistic
porous-solid model is developed to overcome these constraints. The probabilistic
model is an alternative to the use of computational network models and shows
important advantages. This model is built from the probability of a certain pore to be
filled or remain filled with water during a wetting or drying process, respectively. The
numerical results of the probabilistic model are compared with those of the
computational network model showing only slight differences. Then the model is
validated by making some numerical and experimental comparisons. Finally, a
parametric analysis is presented.