Abstract
Straightforward solutions have long been expected for the analysis of multiwell aquifer tests. In this paper, we derive series analytical solutions of steady-state groundwater flow in a rectangular-shaped aquifer with pumping/injection wells for both confined and unconfined conditions. Double Fourier Transform (DFT) technique is applied to deal with different combinations of impermeable and specified head boundaries on sides. The obtained solutions are compact and concise in mathematics and flexible in terms of well number, well locations, and pumping/injection rates. Hatoucaidang, a groundwater resource field in the Ordos Plateau, Northwestern China, is introduced as a field case study, where a multiwell aquifer test was conducted. One of the analytical solutions derived herein is used to estimate hydraulic conductivities by applying a direct calculation method and a least square estimation method regarding observed versus calculated drawdowns. By comparing with nearby single-well pumping tests, the reliability of the derived analytical solutions is proven. This study facilitates utilizing the multiwell aquifer test to analyze the general behavior of groundwater movement in aquifer systems.
Highlights
Aquifer tests are widely adopted as a standard practice in groundwater science and engineering, which can be used to characterize the general behavior of groundwater movement in aquifer systems and to more precisely estimate hydrogeological parameters of the study site [1,2,3,4]
In order to reveal intrinsic factors controlling the general behaviors of groundwater flow, we introduce the following dimensionless parameters: x = x, Lx y = y, Ly xi
Analytical solutions for multiwell aquifer tests are of important theoretical significance and practical application values
Summary
Aquifer tests are widely adopted as a standard practice in groundwater science and engineering, which can be used to characterize the general behavior of groundwater movement in aquifer systems and to more precisely estimate hydrogeological parameters of the study site [1,2,3,4]. A single-well aquifer test (i.e., one pumping/injection well with/without observation wells) can basically meet the demands of the conventional hydrogeological surveys or research. A multiwell aquifer test is usually characterized by a high rate of pumping/injection, a deep drawdown/uplift, and long-term operations. It has obvious advantages in solving such problems as identifying the source of groundwater recharge and the principle direction of regional groundwater flow, estimating hydrogeological parameters, analyzing hydraulic connections between groundwater and surface water, designing the framework for pump-and-treat, etc.(e.g., [5,6,7,8,9])
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