The Atmosphere/Gauge node specifies an atmospheric pressure or gauges the pressure to the atmospheric value. This means that the total hydraulic potential reduces to the gravitational pressure at the free surface. At a free surface, such as a spring or a seepage face, the pressure is atmospheric. If the pressures in the model is gauged to the atmospheric value (
p = 0), the total hydraulic potential reduces to the gravitational potential at the free surface — for example, the height of the free surface multiplied by the fluid weight, or
ρf gD. This boundary condition sets the pressure at the boundary to zero and
p = 0.
) and select Advanced Physics Options in the Show More Options dialog box.