Theoretical Survey to Study the Hydraulic Characteristics of Saturated Sand Soils Using Buckingham Theory

Abstract

This research aims to use Buckingham’s π theorem to develop a predictive model capable of estimating the hydraulic properties of saturated sandy soil with high accuracy and reliability. The methodology relies on identifying the physical variables that most influence hydraulic behavior, such as permeability, gradient, density, and hydraulic pressure, and then formulating π-groups that link these variables in a way that reveals the key relationships governing water movement within sandy soil. The proposed model provides a simplified mathematical framework that reduces the need for costly laboratory tests and allows for benchmark comparisons between different types of sand in saturated conditions. The results of the analysis show that the use of dimensional similarity contributes to a better understanding of the interactions between hydraulic variables and is an effective tool for improving the estimation of permeability and water flow with soil moisture content in geotechnical and hydrological applications. It can be used with different types of sandy soils that vary in terms of gradation and saturation, facilitating the conduct of many experiments.