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Study on Groundwater Modeling of Aquifers Using Visual Modflow
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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 | May-2015 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Study on Groundwater Modeling of Aquifers Using Visual Modflow
Lakshmi priya C ¹, Narayanan R M ²
¹PG student, Civil Engineering, DR MGR University, Tamil Nadu, India
²Assitant Professor, Civil Engineering, DR MGR University, Tamil Nadu, India
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ABSTRACT- Groundwater modeling is a tool that can Models are used for predictive studies to estimate future
help to analyze many groundwater problems. Numerical field behavior. In addition to this, models are useful for
groundwater models are an important tool for the studying various types of flow behavior by examining
groundwater hydrologist. Nowadays, many computer hypothetical aquifer problems. Before attempting such
programmes have been used in ground water modeling. studies, however, one must be familiar with ground water
One of them is software visual modflow that use a finite modeling concepts, model usage and modeling limitations.
difference method to solve the equation. They can be used
to simulate the behavior of complex aquifers including
1.1. Groundwater model
the effects of irregular boundaries, heterogeneity and
A model may be defined as a simplified version of a real-
different processes such as groundwater flow, and solute
world system (here, a ground-water system) that
transport. This study aims to reveals that the suitability
approximately simulates the relevant excitation-response
of modflow software under various hydrogeologic
relations of the real-world system.
conditions. The hydrogeologic system may be disturbed
by some natural or manmade processes. To predict the Different sets of simplifying assumptions will result in
system behavior, visual modflow is the easy to use different models, each approximating the investigated
modeling environment for two dimensional and three ground-water system in a different way. The first step in the
dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant modeling process is the construction of a conceptual model
transport simulations. consisting of a set of assumptions that verbally describe the
system’s composition, the transport processes that take
Keywords: Groundwater, modeling, visual modflow, place in it, the mechanisms that govern them, and the
hydrogeologic system, groundwater flow, solute transport. relevant medium properties. This is envisioned or
approximated by the modeler for the purpose of
constructing a model intended to provide information for a
1. INTRODUCTION
specific problem.
The use of aquifers is increasing as both a source of
1.2 Numerical Models
water supply and a medium for storing various hazardous
wastes. As this usage expands, our knowledge of Once the conceptual model is translated into a
groundwater systems must also expand. Numerical mathematical model in the form of governing equations,
groundwater modeling is a tool that can aid in studying with associated boundary and initial conditions, a solution
groundwater problems and can help increase our can be obtained by transforming it into a numerical model
understanding of groundwater systems. Numerical models and writing a computer program (code) for solving it using a
have been extensively used for groundwater analysis, digital computer.
ground water quality and quantity stabilization and for
groundwater management practices.
© 2015, IRJET.NET- All Rights Reserved Page 23
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 | May-2015 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 Visual modflow Visual MODFLOW software package includes three
MODFLOW is a computer program originally main software and many support modules. MODFLOW
developed by the U.S. Geological Survey that simulates software is used to calculate the volume, quality and
three-dimensional groundwater flow using a finite distribution of groundwater flows. Function of MODPATH
difference technique for solution of the governing flow software is calculating the direction and speed of flow when
equations [Harbaugh et al., 2000]. MODFLOW solves both it moves through aquifer system. MT3D software is used to
confined and unconfined flow equations in an irregularly calculate diffusion and transportation processes with
shaped flow system to simulate the behavior of groundwater chemical reaction of solutes in groundwater flow system.
flow systems under several types of natural and artificial
stresses. The flow region is subdivided into blocks in which 2.2 Input data
the medium properties are assumed to be uniform.
American Society of Civil Engineers-Quality of Ground
In plan view the blocks are made from a grid of mutually Water, focused the parameters needed for modeling are,
perpendicular lines that may be variably spaced. Model (1)Rainfall data, (2)Lithology data, (3)Topography,
layers can have varying thickness. A flow equation is written (4)Groundwater level data, (5)Aquifer properties,
for each block, called a cell. Several solvers are provided for (6)Pumping rate.
solving the resulting matrix problem. The user can choose
the best solver for the particular problem. Flow-rate and The input parameters required for the software are base
cumulative-volume balances from each type of inflow and map of study area, Specific yield, Specific storage, effective
outflow are computed for each time step. Flow from external porosity, total porosity, horizontal and vertical hydraulic
stresses, such as flow to wells, areal recharge, conductivities, thickness of soil etc.,
evapotranspiration, flow to drains, and flow through
riverbeds, can be simulated. The input file formats to be given to a model are point data
(XYZ) ASCII files (.TXT, .ASC, .DAT), MS Access Database files
Hydraulic conductivities or transmissivities for any (.MDB), MS Excel files (.XLS), ESRI Point files (.SHP), USGS
layer may differ spatially and be anisotropic, and the storage DEM files (.DEM), Surfer grid files (.GRD), ESRI grid files
coefficient may be heterogeneous. Specified head, specified (.GRD) and Mapinfo grid files (.GRD).
flux, and head dependent flux boundaries can be simulated.
2.3 Assigning initial and Boundary conditions
The boundary conditions allowed in Visual MODFLOW
include constant-head, rivers, general head, drains, walls,
recharge, evapotranspiration, constant concentration, (all
are flow parameters for MODFLOW), and recharge
concentration, evapotranspiration concentration, and point
source concentration (all are concentration parameters for
MT3Dxx/RT3D).
2.3 Output visualization
Prior to output visualization, customizing the run
time settings for modflow, modpath and mt3d are necessary.
When the engines are finished running , the model will be
Figure 1 Flow of modeling process
© 2015, IRJET.NET- All Rights Reserved Page 24
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 02 Issue: 02 | May-2015 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
transferred to the output section, where the simulation 4. It can be suitable for seawater intrusion modeling
results will be displayed. environment based on chloride concentration or Electrical
conductivity (EC).
The velocity vectors, pathlines, water table contours,
concentration contours can be seen in 2D or 3D according to 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
the selection.
Advantages of MODFLOW include numerous facilities for
2.4 Model Calibration data preparation, the modular structure that allows it to be
easily modified to adapt the code for a particular application,
Every model must be calibrated before it can be great flexibility in handling a wide range of complexity, easy
used as a tool for predicting the behavior of a considered exchange of data in standard form, extended worldwide
system. During the calibration phase, the initial estimates of experience, continuous development and availability of the
model coefficients may be modified. The sensitivity analysis source code. In addition to simulating groundwater flow, the
may be postponed until a numerical model and a code for its scope of MODFLOW has been expanded to incorporate
solution have been selected. related capabilities such as solute transport and parameter
estimation.
In this section objectives of the calibration or history
matching, the adjusted parameters/coefficients, the 5. CONCLUSION
criterion of the calibration (e.g., minimizing the difference
between observed and predicted water levels), the available From the above discussion, Visual MODFLOW software is
data, the model calibration runs, etc., should be described. suitable (1) To simulate and predict the aquifer conditions
and to represent the natural groundwater flow in the
environment, (2) To forecast the outcome of future
3. APPLICATION OF VISUAL MODFLOW
groundwater behavior, (3) To simulate hydraulic heads and
1. Numerical modeling package, Visual MODFLOW (Version ground water flow rates within and across the boundaries of
4.2) was used to predict fate and transport of phosphorous in the system, (4) To simulate the concentrations of substance
landfill of Seri Pataling. It might be helpful to control dissolved in ground water.
pollution in Landfill [1].
REFERENCES
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2008.
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© 2015, IRJET.NET- All Rights Reserved Page 25
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
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© 2015, IRJET.NET- All Rights Reserved Page 26
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