Textbook: Introduction to Groundwater Modeling by Herbert F. Wang and Mary P. Anderson W.H. Freeman and Company, 1982

Pre-requisites: GEOL-62067/72068 or special permission

The course presents an introduction to the use of various modeling techniques in hydrogeology, with special emphasis on construction and use of the numerical models. It offers a fundamental and practical introduction to finite difference and finite element techniques.

The course is conducted as a series of lectures with take-home problems and student seminar-type papers. The take-home problems will require an extensive use of a computer with at the very least 4MB RAM. Some rudimentary understanding of FORTRAN is required. Each student will have to write at least one term-paper and give seminar-type talk on an assigned topic. In addition there will be an opportunity for a number of student projects in construction of analog models. Such projects may be conducted for an extra credit (as Research, GEOL 60098/80098) will be encouraged for individuals, or teams of two students, and will be conducted in coordination with our technician, Tim Miller. Focus of the assigned papers and student projects will be directed at illustration of the practical application of variety of modeling techniques in hydrogeology. Projects leading to, or related to a degree thesis or dissertation are particularly encouraged.

The following is a sequence of the course topics and activities:

1. INTRODUCTION (1-st week).

1. What are hydrogeologic models and their purpose?
2. Types of hydrogeologic models.
3. Logical sequence in developing a model.
4. Use and abuse of models in hydrogeology.
5. Limitations and sources of error in modeling.

2. MATHEMATICAL-ANALYTICAL MODELS (2-nd and 3-rd week).

1. Major hydrogeologic processes.
2. Development of mathematical-analytical models.
3. Varieties of mathematical-analytical models in hydrogeology.
4. Common computer programs for solution of mathematical-analytical models in hydrogeology.

3. PHYSICAL MODELS (4-th week).

1. Sand tank models.
2. Analog models.
3. Viscous fluid models.
4. Membrane, moire patterns and blotting paper models.
5. Electric analog models.
6. Continuous systems.
7. Discrete systems.

4. NUMERICAL MODELS (5-th through 14-th week).

4.1 Introduction (5-th week).

4.2 Finite difference methods of numerical modeling.

• Steady-state flow - Laplace's equation (6-th and 7-th week)
• Steady-state flow - Poisson's equation (8-th week).
• Transient flow (9-th week).
• Other solution methods (10-th week).

4.3 Finite element methods of numerical modeling.

• Steady-state flow (11-th week).
• Transient flow (12-th week).

5. ADVECTIVE-DISPERSIVE TRANSPORT (13-th and 14-th week).

6. REVIEW (15-th week)