Rill erosion on a sandy soil: preliminary field experiment and quasi-3D numerical simulation

This paper illustrates the validation of a quasi three-dimensional model of overland flow and soil erosion phenomena by comparing numerical investigations with the results of an ad hoc designed field experiment. The model couples a shock capturing finite-volume approximate solution of a kinematic wave and soil transport rill model with a two-dimensional finite element solution of a variably saturated Richards' equation on the vertical plane perpendicular to the rill. The rill is 2 m long on a sandy hill with a 9% slope. Preliminary results show a good agreement between measured and simulated discharges.