Department of Earth Science |Northeastern Illinois University

PRINCIPLES OF HYDROGEOLOGY
ESCI 337
Spring, 2004

Daily Objectives #23 (April 13, 2004)                                             Dr. Sanders

Reminder:  Homework Assignment #7 is due on Thursday!

By the end of today's class, you should be able to do the following:

v  Ground Water Modeling: Theory

    
   r Explain the difference between an analytical model and a numerical model
       r Explain the theoretical basis of a numerical model of ground water flow. 
       r Explain the purpose and use of a grid in ground water modeling.
       r Give the formulas for calculating hydraulic head within a grid cell in ground water modeling, and show that you can use them in hand calculations.
       r Explain what an iteration is, and how it is used in modeling along with initial values (initial heads) and the method of successive approximation.
       r Explain what a residual is, what a convergence criterion (also called a tolerance) is, and how they are used in modeling.
       r Describe the steps in constructing a model, as given on pages 526-527 of the Fetter textbook.

v  Ground Water Modeling: Practice

On the attached file is a 5 x 5 grid of dots that symbolize a plan view of wells tapping a confined aquifer.  Begin with the upper bounday (closed circles) having a specified constant head of 100 m, and the big dark circle in column one, row three having a specified constant head of 0 m.  Calculate the head values for the other wells.  Do this by using successive approximations (iterations).  Record the results of your calculations on the page, showing the head in each well next to each dot.  Note: you will need to assign an initial head to the open circles for your first iteration.  You could choose anything, but let's all choose the same thing for now: 50 m. 

When you are satisfied with your results, calculate the residual (or error, as GGW calls it) for each step.  This means the difference between  head values calculated at each successive step.  How small do they get?  How small do you want them to get? (i.e. what's the convergence criterion?)  How do you know when to stop?

Now, transfer what you have learned from these hand calculations into a computer model.  Using Graphic Groundwater, create a model for the area you just worked on.  Use a uniform 5 x 5 grid.  Make sure your model is in keeping with the conceptual model describe in class.  See this file for more detailed information.

Department of Earth Science | Northeastern Illinois University

© 2004 Laura L. Sanders.  Last updated April 13, 2004.