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Ed Perfect

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Research Interests

My research focuses on the development of physically-based constitutive relationships for variably-saturated porous media. I am particularly interested in the use of fractal geometry to model and upscale these relationships. I am also investigating new/improved experimental techniques for measuring their input parameters. My research program involves a combination of theory development and modeling, laboratory experimentation, as well as some fieldwork. It always includes a strong quantitative component, and often involves the use of statistical analyses.

Recent Publications

  • Zhuang, J., J.S. Tyner, and E. Perfect. 2009. Colloid transport and remobilization in porous media during infiltration and drainage. J. Hydrol. 377:112-119.
  • Perfect, E., A.M. Tarquis, and N.R. Bird. 2009. Accuracy of generalized dimensions estimated from grayscale images using the method of moments. Fractals 17:365-385
  • van den Berg, E.H., E. Perfect, C. Tu, P.S.K. Knappett, T.P. Leao, and R.W. Donat. 2009. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity measurements with centrifuges: A review. Vadose Zone J. 8:531-547
  • Cihan, A., J.S. Tyner, and E. Perfect. 2009. Predicting relative permeability from water retention: A direct approach based on fractal geometry. Water Resour. Res. 45, W04404, doi:10.1029/2008WR007038
  • Perfect, E., Y. Pachepsky, and M.A. Martín. 2009. Fractal and multifractal models applied to porous media. Vadose Zone J. 8:174-176
  • Cihan, A., M.C. Sukop, J.S. Tyner, E. Perfect, and H. Huang. 2009. Analytical predictions and lattice Boltzmann simulations of intrinsic permeability for mass fractal porous media. Vadose Zone J. 8:187-196
  • Koirala, S.R., R.W. Gentry, E. Perfect, J.S. Schwartz, and G.S. Sayler. 2008. Temporal variation and persistence of bacteria in streams. J. Environ. Qual. 37:1559-1566
  • Koirala, S. R., E. Perfect, R. W. Gentry, and J. W. Kim. 2008. Effective saturated hydraulic conductivity of two-dimensional random multifractal fields. Water Resour. Res., 44, W08410
  • Tang, G., E. Perfect, E.H. van den Berg, M.A. Mayes, and J.C. Parker. 2008. Estimating effective hydraulic parameters of unsaturated layered sediments using a Cantor bar composite medium model. Vadose Zone J. 7:493-499
  • Logsdon, S.D., E. Perfect, and A.M. Tarquis. 2008. Multiscale soil investigations: Physical concepts and mathematical techniques. Vadose Zone J. 7:453-455
  • Kenst, A., E. Perfect, S.W. Wilhelm, J. Zhuang, J.F. McCarthy, and L.D. McKay. 2008. Virus transport during infiltration of a wetting front into initially unsaturated sand columns. Environmental Sci. and Techn. 42:1102-1108
  • Zhuang, J., J.F. McCarthy, E. Perfect, L.M. Mayer, and J.D. Jastrow. 2008. Soil water hysteresis in water-stable microaggregates as affected by organic matter. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:212-220

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Ed Perfect

Contact Information

Ed Perfect
Associate Professor
Vadose Zone Hydrology

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
1412 Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-1410

Phone: (865) 974-974-6017
Email: eperfect@utk.edu