ABSTRACT
The infiltration rate at which a given soil can absorb rainfall is highly influenced by rainfall patterns. One-dimensional numerical simulations of infiltration process into landfill earthen final covers were conducted to investigate the effects of rainfall patterns on the infiltration rate under different initial conditions. The numerical simulation model conducted by SVFlux was firstly verified by experimental data. The results indicate that the peak rainfall intensity occurs earlier, the cumulative infiltration will be larger no matter what the initial condition is. The advanced pattern (A1) generates the largest amount of infiltration under certain conditions. The time to ponding increases as the initial matric suction increases. The rainstorm with short duration will generate less infiltration compared to the rainfall patterns lasting the whole day. The numerical analyses suggest that rainfall pattern should be taken into account in the calculation of infiltration into earthen final covers.
