Interfacing groundwater head and groundwater flow calculations

Abstract

This paper presents an interface designed to combine two of the most common ways of groundwater modelling. First, a depth-averaged type of modelling is applied to determine the evolution in time of the phreatic groundwater level and the related piezometric head in the aquifers. Next, these head data can be used as the input for a flow model calculating flow velocities, flow paths and residence times. This flow model is not based on depth-averaged equations, but upon the full Darcy equations. To facilitate the use of these combined flow modelling approaches, a software interface is necessary.