Rainfall erosion can cause environmental and economic damage by decreasing the storage capacity of water reservoirs because of the detachment of soil particles. The purpose of this study was to develop a one-dimensional physicomathematical model that can help predict the effects of rainfall erosion on the banks of water reservoirs. The model was developed using the Mein-Larson model to describe water infiltration, the kinematic wave approximation to represent overland flow generation, and the steady state sediment continuity equation to estimate sediment transport. The model was validated using rainfall simulator tests and lateritic soil samples with a bimodal soil-water retention curve. The results showed conformity with the experimental data, identifying a threshold in the models for discharge per unit area and sediment yield rate, as well as a linear increase in the models for total runoff and sediment load per unit area. However, the model failed to capture the peak in sediment yield rate owing to raindrop impact during the initial minutes of rainfall. Parametric analysis highlighted the impact of increasing the calibration constant of splash erosion, erodibility coefficient, and critical shear stress on the slope of the sediment load per unit area model. Despite its limitations, the model demonstrates satisfactory predictive capability for sediment load per unit area under high-intensity rainfalls, achieving an R2 greater than 0.92 in five of the six cases examined.

Engineered soil barriers have been proposed to prevent rainwater infiltration into the underlying soil, thus improving stability of sloping ground. The use of engineered barriers on flat ground as means of preventing flooding has also been explored. This paper aims to provide proof-of-concept as to the potential efficiency of engineered barriers in minimising soil shrinkage and swelling arising from seasonal variations of water content and pore water pressures within the ground due to its interaction with the atmosphere. A series of 2-dimensional, hydro-mechanically coupled finite element analyses were conducted to this effect. Emphasis was placed on accurately modelling the stiffness of the underlying soil, accounting for its small-strain behaviour, as well as the hydraulic behaviour of all the layers involved. The results confirm that it is possible to engineer barriers to minimise shrinkage/swelling in greenfield, as well as urban, conditions and highlight the influence of barrier geometry and configuration, so that recommendations for the design of such barriers can be made.

Seasonally frozen soil (SFS) is a critical component of the Cryosphere, and its heat-moisture-deformation characteristics during freeze-thaw processes greatly affect ecosystems, climate, and infrastructure stability. The influence of solar radiation and underlying surface colors on heat exchange between the atmosphere and soil, and SFS development, remains incompletely understood. A unidirectional freezing-thawing test system that considers solar radiation was developed. Subsequently, soil unidirectional freezing-thawing tests were conducted under varying solar radiation intensities and surface colors, and variations in heat flux, temperature, water content, and deformation were monitored. Finally, the effects of solar radiation and surface color on surface thermal response and soil heat-moisture-deformation behaviors were discussed. The results show that solar radiation and highabsorptivity surfaces can increase surface heat flux and convective heat flux, and linearly raise surface temperature. The small heat flux difference at night under different conditions indicates that soil ice-water phase change effectively stores solar energy, slowing down freezing depth development and delaying rapid and stable frost heave onset, ultimately reducing frost heave. Solar radiation causes a significant temperature increase during initial freezing and melting periods, yet its effect decreases notably in other freezing periods. Soil heatwater-deformation characteristics fluctuate due to solar radiation and diurnal soil freeze-thaw cycles exhibit cumulative water migration. Daily maximum solar radiation of 168 W/m(2) and 308 W/m(2) can cause heatmoisture fluctuations in SFS at depths of 6 cm and 11 cm, respectively. The research findings offer valuable insights into the formation, development, and use of solar radiation to mitigate frost heave in SFS.