A note on calculating hysteretic behavior

A computational procedure for approximating the hysteretic relationship bet ween pore water content and pressure head in porous bodies is described. A distribution function (F) over bar is introduced that retains the features of the distribution function F of the independent domain model, but its val ues are obtained by partitioning the slopes of the wetting boundary curve o f a reproducible hysteresis loop proportionately to the slopes of the dryin g boundary curve or vice verse. With the help of data provided by a primary drying scanning curve the procedure can be extended to approximate the hys teretic curves in the presence of nonindependent water elements. Calculated scanning curves were compared with experimental ones and satisfactory agre ement between calculated and experimental scanning curves was observed.