Calculation of Discharge in Confined and Unconfined
Aquifer
Calculation of discharge in confined and unconfined aquifer using
Theim’s formula for steady flow.
Calculation of Discharge in Confined Aquifer Using Theim’s
Formula for Steady Radial Flow:
Discharge through confined aquifer can be calculated from the formula
Consider that the recharge to the aquifer within the influence zone of the
pumped well equals the rate of discharge of the well so that the
drawdown remains stabilised and therefore steady state exists.
Where: K = coefficient of permeability
m = thickness of aquifer
rw = radius of the well
T = transmissibility of aquifer = K.m
The above equation is called equilibrium or Thiem’s equation and is used
to determine piezometric head at any point at a radial distance r from the
centre of the well. Carrying the logic further if the piezometric heads in
two observation wells say h1 and h2 at two points r1and r2 distance
radially away respectively from the centre of the pumped well are
measured during the pumping test, coefficient of permeability ‘K can be
easily calculated. The formula can be written as follows (r 2 > r1). The
above method is popularly called Thiem’s method.
Calculation of Discharge in Unconfined Aquifer Using Theim’s
Formula for Steady Flow:
Referring Fig. 18.17 and considering the steady state condition, the
discharge at any distance r towards the well is given by applying Darcy’s
formula in conjunction with simplifying assumptions made by Dupit
Q = K A I = 2πr K h dh/dr
Integrating the equation (1) between limits h = H2 at r = rw h = head at
any distance r
Equation (a) can be used to determine the distribution of head radially
outward from the well. If the values of head h1 and h2 at any two
observation wells at a distance r1 and r2respectively (r2 > r1) from the test
well are measured, coefficient of permeability K can be measured by
substituting values in equation (a) above.
Then taking limit when h = H1 at r = R, (the radius of influence) equation
(a) will become
It may be mentioned that in equation (a) as well as (b) H 2 is head at well
and — therefore is equal to the depth of water in the well.
Sichardt’s formula may be used to calculate radius of influence R.
It is expressed below to recapatulate:
R = 3000 s√K
where R is radius of influence in metres
s is drawdown at well in metres
K is coeff. of permeability in m/sec.
Problem:
A tube well is 0.46 m in diameter. The unconfined aquifer is of 18 m
depth. After drawdown depth of water is 12 m in the well. Permeability of
soil is 24.50 m/day. Radius of circle of influence is 275 metres. Calculate
discharge of the tube well.
Tutorial Questions:
a) State the assumptions and limitations of Dupuits theory.
b) Derive an expression for discharge from a well in unconfined aquifer.
c) An unconfined aquifer has a thickness of 30 m. a fully penetrating 20 m diameter well
in this aquifer is pumped at the rate of 35 litres per second. The drawdown measured
in two observation wells located at distance of 10 m and 100 m from the well are 7.5
m and 0.5 m respectively. Determine the average hydraulic conductivity of the
aquifer. At what distance from the well the drawdown is insignificant i.e. is zero.
The aquifer is isotropic, homogeneous, and of uniform thickness and has infinite lateral extent. [1
mark]
The well fully penetrates the aquifer and receives water from the entire thickness of the aquifer. [1
mark]
The flow lines are radial and flow is horizontal and uniformly distributed in the vertical direction
along the thickness of the aquifer[½ mark]
The pumping had been continued for a sufficiently long period at a uniform rate to attain an
equilibrium or steady state. [½ mark]
The flow is laminar and Darcy law of flow is applicable. [½ mark]
The slope of hydraulic gradient with horizontal line is small. The velocity of flow may be assumed as
proportional to the tangent of the hydraulic gradient instead of its sine. [½ mark]
The well is of small size and has negligible storage. Thus all pumped water comes out from the
aquifer. [½ mark]
Water is released from the storage in the aquifer as soon as water table falls. [½ mark
Let
H = Thickness of the unconfined aquifer measured from the initial water level in the well upto
impermeable stratum surface
r = radius of the well
.s = drawdown of the well
h = depth of water in the well from impermeable surface measured after the drawdown has taken
From Darcy Law 𝑣=𝐾𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄= 𝐾𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑦 [½ 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤]
place
Where, Ax=area of cross section of saturated part of the aquifer at point P
ix=Hydraulic gradient at P
𝐴𝑥=2𝜋𝑥.𝑦[½ mark]
𝑖𝑥=𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥 [½ mark]
𝑄=𝐾.2𝜋.𝑥𝑦.𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥[½ mark]
𝑄𝑥𝑑𝑥𝑥=𝐾.2𝜋.𝑥𝑦.𝑑𝑦…………….(1) [½ mark]
𝑄=∫𝑑𝑥𝑥𝑅𝑟= ∫𝐾𝐻ℎ.2𝜋.𝑦.𝑑𝑦[½ mark]
Integrating equation 1 between limits (R, r) for x and (H, h) for y we get [½ mark]
𝑄=[log𝑥]𝑟𝑅=[2𝜋𝐾.𝑦22]ℎ𝐻[½ mark]
or
𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑅𝑟=2𝜋𝐾.(𝐻2−ℎ2)2[½ mark]
Putting the values of limit we get
𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑅𝑟=𝜋𝐾(𝐻2−ℎ2) [½ mark]
or
𝑄=𝜋𝐾(𝐻2−ℎ2)2.3𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑅𝑟…………………(2) [½ mark]
Eliminating equation 2 𝑄=1.36𝐾(𝐻2−ℎ2)𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑅𝑟………………(3)[½ 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤]
𝐾=2.3𝑄𝜋(𝐻2−ℎ2)𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑅𝑟………………(4) [½ mark]
or
