MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF THE MOISTURE REGIME IN THAWING SOILS AND PEATLANDS

Interpolative mathematical models of heat and mass transfer were used to formulate and solve the problems of water transfer during the thawi ng of frozen soil. The models both neglected and included the mass exc hange between the zone of thawing and the environment. Problems were c onsidered with and without a temperature gradient in the frozen zone. A method for identification of the parameters of obtained solutions wa s proposed. The applicability of the obtained ratios was proved by cor relating the calculated and experimental moisture distributions in a t hawing soil. The data obtained were in good agreement and were suffici ently accurate.