Groundwater hydrology (I&D-310)

Assignment
Problems of chapter 4

Submitted to Dr. Aamir Shakoor

Submitted by Rabeea Noor (AG-28-2016)

Subject Groundwater Hydrology(I&D-310)

Semester 7th

Session 2016 – 2020

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY
BAHAUDDIN ZAKARIYA UNIVERSITY MULTAN

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Rabeea Noor (28)
Groundwater hydrology (I&D-310)

Assignment
Problems of chapter 4
Problem 4.1.1:
A confined aquifer is 18.5m thick. The potentiometric surface elevations at two observation
wells 822 m apart are 25.96 and 24.62 m. If the horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the
aquifer is 25 m/day, determine the flow rate per unit width of the aquifer, specific discharge,
and average linear velocity of the flow assuming steady unidirectional flow.
Solution:
From Darcy’s law:
𝒅𝒉
q = -Kb
𝒅𝒍
24.62−25.96
= -(25) (18.5) [ ] = 0.754m3/day
822

Specific Discharge can be found as follows:

𝑸 𝒒 𝒅𝒉 24.62−25.96
V= = 𝒃 = -K = (-25) [ ] = 0.4075m/day
𝑨 𝒅𝒍 822

The seepage velocity is calculated as:

𝒗 0.04075
vp = 𝒏 = = 0.163m/day Answer.
𝒆 0.25

Problem 4.1.2:
Two confined aquifers are separated by an aquitard as shown below. The piezometric head
difference between the upper and lower aquifer measured along a vertical line is 6.5 m. If
the vertical hydraulic conductivity of confining unit is 0.046 m/day, deter- mine the direction
and magnitude of leakage per km-between the upper and lower confined aquifers through
the confining unit. Also, estimate the travel time of a water particle through the confining
layer between the two aquifers. Estimated thickness of the separation is 4.15 m.
Solution:
−𝒉𝒌
V= 𝒙
6.5 ×0.046
= 4.15

= 0.072m/day
S = V× t
t=S/V
= 4.15 / 0.072
= 57.63 days Answer

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Problem 4.1.5:
Near steady-state conditions, explain how the hydraulic gradient changes in the flow
direction
(a) a confined aquifer
(b) an unconfined aquifer.
Solution:
The potentiometric surface has a linear gradient in a confined aquifer. On the other hand, since
the cross sectional area gets smaller in the flow direction, the hydraulic gradient must be greater
in order to have the same flow per unit width in an unconfined aquifer.
Problem 4.1.6:
Consider two strata of the same soil material that lie between two channels. The first stratum
is confined and the second one is unconfined, and the water surface elevations in the channels
are 24 and 16 m above the bottom of the unconfined aquifer. What should be the thickness
of the confined aquifer for which
1) the discharge through both strata are equal
2) the discharge through the confined aquifer is half of that through the unconfined aquifer?
Solution:
1) When discharge through both strata area equal:
For unconfined stratum,
ℎ22 −ℎ12
Q1 = Π × K 𝑟
ln( 2 )
𝑟1

For confined stratum,

ℎ22 −ℎ12
Q2 = 2Π × b × K 𝑟
ln( 2 )
𝑟1

ℎ22 −ℎ12 ℎ22 −ℎ12

Π×K 𝑟 = 2Π × b ×K 𝑟
ln( 2 ) ln( 2 )
𝑟1 𝑟1

(h2 – h1) = 2b
(24 - 16) = 2b
b = 4m Answer.

2) the discharge through the confined aquifer is half of that through the unconfined aquifer.
ℎ22 −ℎ12 1 ℎ22 −ℎ12
Π×K 𝑟 = 2 (2Π × b ×K 𝑟 )
ln( 2 ) ln( 2 )
𝑟1 𝑟1

b = h 2 – h1
= 24 – 18

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= 8 Answer.
Problem 4.1.7:
An unconfined aquifer in a stratum of clean sand and gravel has a hydraulic conductivity of
10 cm/sec. From two observation wells 200 m apart, the observed water table elevations are
11 and 7m measured from the bottom of the stratum. Determine the discharge per unit width
of the aquifer.
Solution:
𝒌
q = 𝟐𝒙 (ℎ02 − ℎ2 )
𝟖.𝟔𝟒 𝒎/𝒅𝒂𝒚
= (112 − 72 )
𝟐(𝟐𝟎𝟎)

= 1.5 m2/day Answer.

Problem 4.1.8:
An earthen dam is 200m across (i.e., the distance from the upstream face to downstream face
and underlain by impermeable bedrock. The average hydraulic conductivity of material of
which the dam is composed is 0.065 m/day. If the water surface elevations in the reservoir
and the tailwaters are 25 and 4.5m, respectively, estimate the magnitude of leakage from the
reservoir to the tailwaters per 100-m width of the dam.
Solution:
𝒌
q= (𝒉𝟐𝟎 − 𝒉𝟐 )
𝟐𝒙 25m
𝟎.𝟎𝟔𝟓
q = 𝟐(𝟐𝟎𝟎) (252 − 4.5 2)

= 0.098m2/day
Seepage per 100-m width; 4.5m

Q = q × 100m
= 0.098 × 100m
= 9.827m3/day Answer.
Problem 4.1.9:
Compute the volume of water that seeps from the channel into the river in the figure above.
The water surface elevations in the channel and river with respect to the underlying bedrock
are 13 and 10.5 m, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity of formation A is 5.6 m/day and
that of formation B is 12.3 m/day.
Solution:
𝑲 𝑲
Q = 𝟐𝑳𝑨 (ℎ𝑐2 − ℎ𝑠2 ) = 𝟐𝑳𝑩 (ℎ𝑠2 − ℎ𝑅2 )
𝑨 𝑩

By equating;

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Groundwater hydrology (I&D-310)

𝑲 𝑲
( 𝑨 )ℎ𝑐2 + ( 𝑩 )ℎ𝑟2
2𝑳 2𝑳
ℎ𝑠2 = 𝑨 𝑲𝑨 𝑲𝑩𝑩
+
2𝑳𝑨 2𝑳𝑩

Substituting the above expression for h 2 into on of the original equations for the flow rate should
yield :
𝒉𝟐𝒄 − 𝒉𝟐𝒓
q= 𝑳 𝑳
𝟐[ 𝑨 + 𝑩 ]
𝑲𝑨 𝑲𝑩

132 − 10.52
= 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝟏𝟑𝟎
2[ + ]
𝟓.𝟔 𝟏𝟐.𝟑

= 0.4121m2/day Answer
Problem 4.1.10:
A canal is constructed parallel to a river 460 m away both fully penetrating an unconfined
aquifer of clean sand and gravel as shown in the illustration below. The aquifer has a
hydraulic conductivity of K = 18.5 m/day and is subject to an average infiltration of 1.6
m/year. The water surface elevation in the canal is 8.5m and in the river it is 10 m. If the
mound between the canal and the river gets contaminated and the river is to remain free of
contamination,
(a)Determine the daily discharge of groundwater into the canal and into the river per
kilometer of both;
(b) Estimate the travel times from the water divide to the canal and to the river (R = 0.35);
(c) Assuming that the contaminant travels mainly by advection, propose any operational
changes to the given layout to prevent the river from being contaminated.
Solution:
X = 460m
K = 18.5m/day
W = 1.6m/year
h0 = 10m
h1 = 8.5m
𝒌(𝒉𝟐𝟏 −𝒉𝟐𝟐 ) 𝑳
a) qx= –W[ − 𝒙]
𝟐𝑳 𝟐

For River:
18.5(102 −8.52 ) 1.6 460
qx = – [ − 0]
2×460 365 2

= -0.45 m3/day/m -ve sign indicates that the direction of flow is toward the
river
= 450 m3/day/km
For Canal:

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18.5(102 −8.52 ) 1.6 460

qx = – [ − 460]
2×460 365 2

= 1.566 m3/day/m
= 1566 m3/day/km
𝑳 𝑲 (𝒉𝟐𝟏 −𝒉𝟐𝟐 )
b) d =𝟐−𝑾 (Divide Wall)
𝟐𝑳
460 18.5 (102 − 8.52 )
= − 0.00438
2 2×460

= 102.70 m
𝒅(𝒉𝟐𝟏 −𝒉𝟐𝟐 ) 𝑾
hmax = h12 - + (𝑳 − 𝒅)𝒅
𝑳 𝑲

= 10.12 m
For Canal:
𝑘 ∆ℎ
Va = 𝑛 × ∆𝑥
𝑒

18.5 10.12−8.5
= 0.35 × 460−102.70

= 0.239 m/s
460−102.70
ta = 0.2396

= 1491 days
For Rivers:
𝑘 ∆ℎ
Va = 𝑛 × ∆𝑥
𝑒

18.5 10.12−10
= 0.35 × 460−102.70

= 0.0617 m/day
460−102.70
ta = 0.0617

= 1663 days
c) In order to avoid the contamination, increase head in river from h max = 10.12m.

Problem 4.2.1:
A well that pumps at a constant rate of 0.5 m/s fully penetrates a confined aquifer of 34m
thickness. After a long period of pumping, near steady-state conditions, the measured
drawdowns at two observation wells 50 and 100 m from the pumping well are 0.9 and 0.4 m,
respectively.
(a) Calculate the hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity of the aquifer
(b) estimate the radius of influence of the pumping well, and

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(c) calculate the expected drawdown in the pumping well if the radius of the well is 0.4m.
Solution:
𝑺𝟏 −𝑺𝟐
a) Q = 2Π × b × K 𝒓
𝐥𝐧( 𝟐 )
𝒓𝟏

0.5 100
K = 2×3.14×34(0.9−0.4) ln 50

= 0.0032 m/s
T = K× b
= 0.0032 × 34
= 0.110 m3/s
𝑸 𝒓
b) Sw= S1 - 𝟐𝝅𝑲𝒃 𝐥𝐧 ( 𝒓𝒘 )
𝟏

= 4.338 m
𝟐𝝅𝒌𝒃(𝑺𝑾 −𝑺𝟏 )
c) R = (r1) exp[ ]
𝑸
2×𝜋×0.110(−78.9)
= (100) exp[ ]
1240

= 147.70 m Answer
Problem 4.2.2:
A confined aquifer of 10-m thickness and 16.43 m/day hydraulic conductivity is fully
penetrated by a pumping well of 0.5 m radius operating at Q = 425 m3/day. Determine the
drawdown (Sw) under steady-state conditions in the pumping well and 50 m away from the
well. Take the radius of influence of the pumping as 300 m.
Solution:
r1 = rw = 0.5m
r2 = r0 = 300m
T=K×b
= 16.43 × 10
S2 = 0
S1 = S w = ?
𝑸 𝒓
S1 – S2 = 𝟐𝝅𝑻 𝐥𝐧 𝒓𝟐
𝟏

Sw = 2.63m occurs at pumping well

The drawdown 50m away from well;
r1 = 50m (remaining terms remain same)

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𝑄 𝑟
S1 – S2 = 2𝜋𝑇 ln 𝑟2
1

S1 = 0.74m Answer
Problem 4.2.3:
What percent increase/decrease would occur in the drawdown of the pumping well if the
radius of the well is doubled and the pumping rate is kept the same in Problem 4.2.2? Assume
the same radius of influence.
Solution:
rw = 2 × 0.5 = 1m (remaining terms same)
𝑸 𝒓
S1 – S2 = 𝟐𝝅𝑻 𝐥𝐧 𝒓𝟐 … S2 = 0
𝟏

Sw2= 2.34m
= (Sw2 - Sw1 /Sw2) × 100
= 2.63 – 2.34 / 2.63
= 10.82% Increase Answer
Problem 4.2.4:
What percent increase/decrease would occur in the well flow if the well diameter is doubled
and the drawdown in the well is kept constant in Problem 4.2.2? Assume the same radius of
influence.
Solution:
𝑺𝟏 −𝑺𝟐
Q = 2Π × b × K 𝒓
𝐥𝐧( 𝟐 )
𝒓𝟏

2.633 −0
Q1 = 2Π × 16.43 × 10 300
ln( )
1

= 476.64 m3/day
Q1 – Q2/Q1 = (476.67 – 425/476.67) × 100
= 10.82% Increase Answer
Problem 4.2.5:
The initial piezometric surface in a confined aquifer of 20m thickness is 34 m above the
bottom. After a long period of pumping, the piezometric surface stabilizes at 29.3 m above
the bottom. The hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer is 12.2 m/day. If the radius of the well
is 0.5 m and the radius of influence of the pumping is 500 m, what is the steady-state well
discharge?
Solution:
rw = 0.5m
r0 = 500m

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h0 = 34m
hw = 29.3m
𝒉𝟎 −𝒉𝒘
Q = 2Π × b × K 𝒓
𝐥𝐧( 𝟎 )
𝒓𝒘

= 1042.5 m3/day Answer

Problem 4.2.6:
The initial piezometric head in a confined aquifer that has a thickness of 11.6m is 85.7m
above sea level. A well with a radius of 0.5 m pumps at a constant rate of 1,240 m/day. After
the cone of depression has achieved equilibrium, the piezometric heads at two observation
wells 40 and 95 m from the pumping well are measured as 78.9 and 83.4 m above sea level,
respectively. Also, the piezometric head in the pumping well during equilibrium remains at
46.6 m. Determine
(a)the aquifer transmissivity,
(b)the radius of influence of the pumping, and
(c) the total well losses in and around the pumping well.
Solution:
B = 11.6m
H0 = 85.7m
rw = 0.5m
Q = 1240m3/day
r1= 40m
r2 = 95m
h1 = 78.9m
h2 = 83.4m
hw = 46.6m
T =?
R =?
a) T=K×B
= 37.93m2/day
𝟐𝝅𝒌𝒃(𝒉𝟎 −𝒉𝟏 )
b) R = (r1) exp[ ]
𝑸
2×𝜋×37.93(85.7−78.9)
= (40) exp[ ]
1240

= 147.70m
c) Sw = 85.7 – 46.6 = 39.1m Answer

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Problem 4.2.7:
A pumping well of 0.75-m radius fully penetrates an unconfined aquifer of 24-m thickness
and produces at a rate of 10 l/s. After a long period of pumping, the drawdown in an
observation well 30 m from the pumping well is 1.6 m. The drawdown in another observation
well 60 m from the pumping well is 1.1 m. Calculate
(a)The hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer,
(b)The Expected drawdown in the pumping well, and
(c) the radius of influence of the pumping well.
Solution:
Q = 864m3/day
r1 = 30m
r2 = 60m
rw = 0.75
h1 = 24 - 1.6
= 22.4m
h2 = 24 - 1.1
= 22.9m
𝑸 𝒓
a) K = 𝝅(𝒉𝟐 −𝒉𝟐 ) × 𝐥𝐧 (𝒓𝟐 )
𝟐 𝟏 𝟏

= 8.42m/day
𝑸 𝒓
b) hw = (𝒉𝟐𝟐 − 𝐥𝐧 (𝒓 𝟐 ))1/2
𝝅𝑲 𝒘

= 19.53m
S w = h0 – hw
= 24 – 19.53
= 4.47m
𝝅𝒌(𝒉𝟐𝟎 −𝒉𝟐𝟏 )
c) R = (r1) exp[ ]
𝑸

= 291m Answer
Problem 4.2.8:
After a long period of pumping from an unconfined aquifer at a constant rate of 850 m3/day,
the cone of depression reaches equilibrium. The aquifer has an initial saturated thickness of
20 m and a hydraulic conductivity of 8.65 m/day. During the equilibrium, the water levels in
an observation well 50 m away and in the pumping well are measured as 18.4 and 9.9 m.
Determine

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(a) the radius of influence of the pumping,

(b) the radial distance where the steady state drawdown is 5 cm,
(c) the expected drawdown in the pumping well (r= 0.4 m), and
(d) the total well head losses,
Solution:
h0 = 20 m
r1 = 50m
𝑸 𝒓
c) hw = (𝒉𝟐𝟐 − 𝐥𝐧 (𝒓 𝟐 ))1/2
𝝅𝑲 𝒘

850 50
= (18.42 − ln (0.4))1/2
𝜋8.65

= 13.69 m
Sw = 20 – 13.69
= 6.31 m
𝝅𝒌(𝒉𝟐𝟎 −𝒉𝟐𝟏 )
a) R = (r1) exp[ ]
𝑸

𝜋𝑘(202 −18.42 )
= (50) exp[ ]
850

= 356.12 m Answer

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