ISHS Acta Horticulturae 401: International Symposium on Growing Media & Plant Nutrition in Horticulture
COMPUTER SIMULATION TO UNDERSTAND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATES |
| Authors: | S. Burés, Alan M. Ferrenberg, F. A. Pokorny, David P. Landau |
| Abstract:
Monte Carlo computer simulation is a useful tool for characterizing some physical properties of substrates. By implementing an algorithm that calculates pore size of simulated packings of spherical particles, we have characterized the external porosity and pore size of simulated systems of spheres, pine bark and sand. Simulated results for pine bark and sand were compared with experimental pore size from water retention curves. When we change the size of uniform spheres, external porosity does not change, but particle size determines the size of external pores. Packing density also affects pore size. Simulated pore size agrees with pore size calculated from water retention for sand, but there are differences with pine bark because it has internal porosity that affects its air/water relations. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
