1. What Is Cumulative Infiltration?

Cumulative Infiltration excluding initial abstraction is the total amount of water that soil strata are able to absorb from rainfall or irrigation in a given time. It represents the volume of water that penetrates into the soil profile.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Cumulative Infiltration (m³)
• \( P_T \) — Total Precipitation (m³)
• \( I_a \) — Initial Abstraction (m³)
• \( Q \) — Direct Surface Runoff (m³)

Explanation: This formula calculates the cumulative infiltration by subtracting both the initial abstraction and direct surface runoff from the total precipitation amount.

3. Importance Of Cumulative Infiltration Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of cumulative infiltration is crucial for hydrological modeling, irrigation planning, flood prediction, and water resource management. It helps in understanding soil water storage capacity and groundwater recharge processes.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter total precipitation, initial abstraction, and direct surface runoff values in cubic meters. All values must be non-negative numbers. The calculator will compute the cumulative infiltration.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between infiltration and cumulative infiltration?
A: Infiltration refers to the rate at which water enters the soil (e.g., mm/hour), while cumulative infiltration is the total volume of water that has infiltrated over a specific time period.

Q2: What factors affect cumulative infiltration?
A: Soil type, soil moisture content, vegetation cover, rainfall intensity, and land use practices significantly influence cumulative infiltration rates.

Q3: How is initial abstraction determined?
A: Initial abstraction includes interception by vegetation, surface depression storage, and evaporation before runoff begins, typically estimated as 20% of total potential retention.

Q4: Can this formula be used for all soil types?
A: While the basic principle applies to all soils, specific infiltration characteristics vary significantly between different soil types and may require additional parameters for precise modeling.

Q5: What are typical units for these measurements?
A: While cubic meters are used here for volume, these calculations are often performed using depth units (mm or cm) over a specific area, which can be converted to volume using the area measurement.