Abstract

By means of the finite volumes numerical methodology and experiments carried out in an unsaturated porous medium, the mechanism of moisture migration and thermal dissipation in soils are studied. The study is founded on the phenomenological model of Philip & De Vries for a thermal energy source inserted within two soils with different characteristics. The results predict the temporal and spatial thermal evolution of the medium for power dissipation between 16.8 W/m and 80 W/m. Likewise, it is observed that for moisture and temperature the Philip & De Vries model overestimates moisture migration in soil. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.