Abstract
Applying percolation theory to air flow in soil is suggested. A two‒region model indicated the applicability of the theory but the model‒theory rela-tionship is not clear. We have therefore tried to settle this issue so as to explain air flows in soils from the standpoint of air phase continuity. For experimental input, Tottori Dune sand was used to obtain a suitable measure of air content and air conductivity. Dividing the air content into two regions based on the bound-ary where the continuous air content equals the total air content, we invoked a power law to develop a rela-tionship between continuous air content and air con-ductivity. We found that each region developed different values for the power index, indicating different air flow mechanisms. Near the critical point, the power index was 2.12 ± 0.40, which agrees with percolation theory. However, the power index also featured a com-ponent of 1.72 ± 0.15, more related to air connectivity.
