Simulation of groundwater flow using pipe network model

<p>Hamed Tavakolipour and Parjang Monajemi</p>

Simulation of groundwater flow using pipe network model

Hamed Tavakolipour and Parjang Monajemi

University of Fasa, Iran

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

In this paper, a new conceptual laboratory-scale model is introduced to simulate groundwater flow under steady state condition. The proposed model is constructed by a lattice of junctions connected by horizontal and vertical pipes, simplifications of throats and pores of a real porous media. By assuming flow through each pipe which is laminar, it is shown that the governing equation of the lattice follows steady saturated groundwater flow of a confined aquifer, Laplace equation. Then, using continuity equation for the model, a system of linear algebraic equation is achieved which is equivalent to transforming Laplace equation to a system of linear algebraic equations using numerical methods. The model is also a novel physical model. A great superiority of this model over physical models such as sand boxes is that porous characteristics like soil permeability or inner impermeable barriers can easily be assigned by changing pipes or closing corresponding valves. Finally, using this model, different examples are simulated. The results show good agreement with the analytical and numerical solutions. The flexibility and ease to change porous characteristics along with great visibility of how exactly water flows throughout the lattice makes it a great tool for simulating groundwater flow for educational and decision making purposes.