6533b837fe1ef96bd12a1e26

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Deducing the USLE mathematical structure by dimensional analysis and self-similarity theory

Vito Ferro

subject

Structure (mathematical logic)Self-similarityMathematical modelMultiplicative functionSoil ScienceData setSoil lossUniversal Soil Loss Equationerosione idrica USLEControl and Systems EngineeringCalculusSettore AGR/08 - Idraulica Agraria E Sistemazioni Idraulico-ForestaliApplied mathematicsMathematical structureAgronomy and Crop ScienceFood ScienceMathematics

description

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was originally deduced by a statistical analysis of a large data set of soil loss measurements. The multiplicative structure of the model has been criticised due to the considerable interdependence between the variables. Using the soil erosion representative variables and the reference condition adopted in the USLE, the aim of this paper was to apply dimensional analysis and self-similarity theory to deduce the functional relationship among the selected variables. The analysis yielded a multiplicative equation, similar to the USLE. Therefore, this study suggested that the USLE has a logical structure with respect to the variables used to simulate the physical soil erosion process and the adopted reference condition.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2010-06-01Biosystems Engineering
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2010.03.006