ARBAMINCH UNVERSITY

SCHOOL OF
POST GRDUTAE STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGY AND

ATERM PAPER ON AN INTRODUCTION TO

PREPARED BY BEHAILU HUSSEN

JUNE 2013
Contents

1. Introduction…………………………………………………….1

1.1defintion…………………………………………………….1

1.2 constituents of a model…………………………………….2

2. Types of modes………………………………………....................3

2.1 physical models………………………………….…….4

2.2 mathematical models………………………….........................4

2.2.1 Analytical model……………………………………...4

2.2.2 Numerical model………………………………………5

3. Model protocol…………………………………………………6

4. Ground water flow models…………………………………14

5. References …………………………………………………….21
1. Introduction

1.1 definitions

The use of groundwater models is prevalent in the field of environmental science.

Models have been applied to investigate a wide variety of hydrogeologic conditions. More

recently, groundwater models are being applied to predict the transport of contaminants for

risk evaluation.

In general, models are conceptual descriptions or approximations that describe

physical systems using mathematical equations; they are not exact descriptions of physical

systems or processes. By mathematically representing a simplified version of a

hydrogeological system, reasonable alternative scenarios can be predicted, tested, and

compared. The applicability or usefulness of a model depends on how closely the

mathematical equations approximate the physical system being modeled. In order to

evaluate the applicability or usefulness of a model, it is necessary to have a thorough

understanding of the physical system and the assumptions embedded in the derivation of

the mathematical equations.

Groundwater models describe the groundwater flow and transport processes using

mathematical equations based on certain simplifying assumptions. These assumptions

typically involve the direction of flow, geometry of the aquifer, the heterogeneity or

anisotropy of sediments or bedrock within the aquifer, the contaminant transport

mechanisms and chemical reactions. Because of the simplifying assumptions embedded in

the mathematical equations and the many uncertainties in the values of data required by

the model, a model must be viewed as an approximation and not an exact duplication of

field conditions. Groundwater models, however, even as approximations are a useful

investigation tool that groundwater hydrologists may use for a number of applications.

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 Application of existing groundwater models include water balance (in terms of

water quantity), gaining knowledge about the quantitative aspects of the unsaturated zone,

simulating of water flow and chemical migration in the saturated zone including river-

groundwater relations, assessing the impact of changes of the groundwater regime on the

environment, setting up/optimising monitoring networks, and setting up groundwater

protection zones.

Diagrammatically a model can be represented as

1.2 constituents of a model

A mode must have

x state variables

x parameters

x boundary conditions

x initial conditions

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State variables

x Are characteristics of a system that may be measured and can assume different

numerical values at different time.

Parameters

x Is quantity characterising a system.it may or may not remain constant in time.eg

(hydraulic conductivity)

Boundary conditions

x These are the values of the system input that act on the system and cause it to

change.

Initial condition

x Refer to initial values of elements that may increase or decrease in the course of the

time.

2. Types of groundwater mode

There are two types of ground water models

2.1 physical groundwater models

2.2 mathematical groundwater models

2.2.1 Analytical groundwater models

2.2.2 Numerical groundwater models

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 2.1 Physical groundwater models

A physical model is a scaled representation of a hydraulic flow situation. Both the

boundary conditions (e.g. channel bed, sidewalls), the upstream flow conditions and the

flow field must be scaled in an appropriate manner.

2.2 Mathematical groundwater models

Are indirect models and use governing equations of ground water flow and

transport and equations that describe boundary conditions. Mathematical groundwater

models can be classified as analytical and numerical ground water model.

2.2.1Analytical groundwater models

Analytical models are an exact solution of a specific, often greatly simplified,

groundwater flow or transport equation. The equation is a simplification of more complex

three-dimensional groundwater flow or solute transport equations. Prior to the

development and widespread use of computers, there was a need to simplify the three-

dimensional equations because it was not possible to easily solve these equations.

Specifically, these simplifications resulted in reducing the groundwater flow to one

dimension and the Solute transport equation to one or two dimensions. This resulted in

changes to the model equations that include one-dimensional uniform groundwater flow,

simple uniform aquifer geometry, homogeneous and isotropic aquifers, uniform hydraulic

and chemical reaction properties, and simple flow or chemical reaction boundaries.

Analytical models are typically steady-state and one-dimensional, although selected

groundwater flow models are two dimensional (e.g. analytical element models), and some

contaminant transport models assume one-dimensional groundwater flow conditions and

one-, two- or three dimensional transport conditions.

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Because of the simplifications inherent with analytical models, it is not possible to account

for field Conditions that change with time or space. This includes variations in groundwater

flow rate or direction, Variations in hydraulic or chemical reaction properties, changing

hydraulic stresses, or complex hydro geologic or chemical boundary conditions.

Analytical models are best used for:

· Initial site assessments where a high degree of accuracy is not needed,

· Designing data collection plans prior to beginning field activities,

· An independent check of numerical model simulation results, or

· Sites where field conditions support the simplifying assumptions embedded in the

analytical models.

2.2.2Numerical groundwater models

Numerical models are capable of solving the more complex equations that describe

groundwater flow and solute transport. These equations generally describe multi-

dimensional groundwater flow, solute transport and chemical reactions, although there are

one-dimensional numerical models. Numerical models use approximations (e.g. finite

differences, or finite elements) to solve the differential equations describing groundwater

flow or solute transport. The approximations require that the model domain and time be

discretized. In this discretization process, the model domain is represented by a network of

grid cells or elements, and the time of the simulation is represented by time steps.

The accuracy of numerical models depends upon the accuracy of the model input data, the

size of the space and time discretization (the greater the size of the discretization steps, the

greater the possible error), and the numerical method used to solve the model equations.

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 3. Model protocol

Model protocol means rule of modelling. Well defined series of steps for applying a

ground water model are

 Establish the purpose of the model

 Develop conceptual model of the system

 Sleet governing equation and computer code

 Model design

 Model Calibration

 Calibration sensitivity analysis

 Model verification

 Prediction

 Predictive sensitivity analysis

 Presentation of model design and result

 Posy audit

 Model

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 Define the purpose

Field data Conceptual model

Select software

Field data Design model

Calibrate the model

Calibration ok? No

Ye
s

Present result

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1. Define the purpose or objective of the model

x Determine what question is to be answered.

x Define what equations need to be selected and solved.

x Determine what type of data is necessary.

2. Conceptualizing the model

Model conceptualization is the process in which data describing field conditions are

assembled in a systematic way to describe groundwater flow and contaminant transport

processes at a site. The model conceptualization aids in determining the modelling

approach and which model software to use.

Questions to ask in developing a conceptual model include, but are not limited to:

· Are there adequate data to describe the hydrogeological conditions at the site?

· In how many directions is groundwater moving?

· Can the groundwater flow or contaminant transport be characterized as one-, two- or

three-dimensional?

· Is the aquifer system composed of more than one aquifer, and is vertical flow between

aquifers important?

· Is there recharge to the aquifer by precipitation or leakage from a river, drain, lake, or

infiltration pond?

· Is groundwater leaving the aquifer by seepage to a river or lake, flow to a drain, or

extraction by a well?

· Does it appear that the aquifer's hydrogeological characteristics remain relatively uniform,

or do geologic data show considerable variation over the site?

· Have the boundary conditions been defined around the perimeter of the model domain,

and do they have a hydrogeological or geochemical basis?

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· Do groundwater-flow or contaminant source conditions remain constant, or do they

change with time?

· Are there receptors located down gradient of the contaminant plume?

· Are geochemical reactions taking place in onsite groundwater, and are the processes

understood?

Other questions related to site-specific conditions may be asked. This conceptualization

step must be completed and described in the model documentation report.

3. Sleet governing equation and computer code

It includes both the selection of computer code and verification of the code.

Verification of the code is comparison to numerical models

4. Model design

Model design includes design of grid, selecting time steps, boundary and initial

conditions and parameter data set.

5. Model Calibration

Model calibration consists of changing values of model input parameters in an

attempt to match field conditions within some acceptable criteria. This requires that field

conditions at a site be properly characterized. Lack of proper site characterization may

result in a model that is calibrated to a set of conditions which are not representative of

actual field conditions. The calibration process typically involves calibrating to steady-state

and transient conditions. With steady-state simulations, there are no observed changes in

hydraulic head or contaminant concentration with time for the field conditions being

modelled. Transient simulations involve the change in hydraulic head or contaminant

concentration with time (e.g. aquifer test, an aquifer stressed by a well-field, or a migrating

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contaminant plume). These simulations are needed to narrow the range of variability in

model input data since there are numerous choices of model input data values which may

result in similar steady-state simulations. Models may be calibrated without simulating

steady-state flow conditions, but not without some difficulty.

At a minimum, model calibration should include comparisons between model-

simulated conditions and field conditions for the following data:

x Hydraulic head data,

x Groundwater-flow direction,

x Hydraulic-head gradient,

x Water mass balance,

x Contaminant concentrations (if appropriate),

x Contaminant migration rates (if appropriate),

x Migration directions (if appropriate), and

x Degradation rates (if appropriate).

6. Calibration sensitivity analysis

A sensitivity analysis is the process of varying model input parameters over a

reasonable range (range of uncertainty in values of model parameters) and observing the

relative change in model response (see Figure below). Typically, the observed changes in

hydraulic head, flow rate or contaminant transport are noted. The purpose of the sensitivity

analysis is to demonstrate the sensitivity of the model simulations to uncertainty in values of

model input data. The sensitivity of one model parameter relative to other parameters is also

demonstrated. Sensitivity analyses are also beneficial in determining the direction of future

data collection activities. Data for which the model is relatively sensitive would require

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future characterization, as opposed to data for which the model is relatively insensitive.

Model-insensitive data would not require further field characterization.

Simulated change in hydraulic head resulting from change in parameter value.

7. Model verification

Model verification is a process to determine if the errors between the historical

observed and simulated values are significant and thereby establishing a level of confidence

in the model .verification should be objective –subject to formal and rigorous statistician

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tests. When verifying model output it is assumed that the model is valid including model

design, the governing equations and computer coding. General aim of model is that

simulated values should correspond to observed values as closely as possible.

8. Prediction

A model may be used to predict some future groundwater flow or contaminant

transport condition. The model may also be used to evaluate different remediation

alternatives, such as hydraulic containment, pump-and-treat or natural attenuation, and to

assist with risk evaluation. In order to perform these tasks, the model, whether it is a

groundwater flow or solute transport model, must be reasonably accurate, as demonstrated

during the model calibration process. However, because even a well-calibrated model is

based on insufficient data or oversimplifications, there are errors and uncertainties in a

groundwater-flow analysis or solute transport analysis that make any model prediction no

better than an approximation. For this reason, all model predictions should be expressed as

a range of possible outcomes which reflect the uncertainty in model parameter values. The

range of uncertainty should be similar to that used for the sensitivity analysis.

9. Predictive sensitivity analysis

Predictive sensitivity analysis refers the analysis of the effect of uncertainty in

parameter values and future stresses on the predicted solution

10. Presentation of model design and result

You may develop a good model but after you have to show the details for others

.there are many ways to show the result of the models you may use tables ,graphs and text

to present the result of the model.

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11. Post audit

Model post audits test the predictive capabilities of ground water models and shed

light on their practical limitations. In the work presented here, ground water model

predictions were used to design an extraction/treatment/injection system at a military

ammunition facility and then were re-evaluated using site-specific water-level data

collected approximately one year after system start up. The water-level data indicated that

performance specifications for the design, i.e., containment, had been achieved over the

required area, but that predicted water-level changes were greater than observed,

particularly in the deeper zones of the aquifer. Probable model error was investigated by

determining the changes that were required to obtain an improved match to observed

water-level changes. This analysis suggests that the originally estimated hydraulic

properties were in error by a factor of two to five. These errors may have resulted from

attributing less importance to data from deeper zones of the aquifer and from applying

pumping test results to a volume of material that was larger than the volume affected by the

pumping test. To determine the importance of these errors to the predictions of interest, the

models were used to simulate the capture zones resulting from the originally estimated and

updated parameter values. The study suggests that, despite the model error, the ground

water model contributed positively to the design of the remediation system.

12. Model redesign

Model re design includes new insight in to the model behaviour after post audit is

performed.

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4. Ground water flow models

There are more than 5o ground water flow models, but the most widely used ground

water flow models are

 MODE FLOW

 MT3D

 F EF LOW

 HST3D

 S EA WET

 SUTRA

 SWIM(v1andV2)

 VISUAL HELP

 Visual MODFLOW

MODE FLOW

(Three-Dimensional Finite-Difference Ground-Water Flow Model)

MODFLOW is the name that has been given the USGS Modular Three-Dimensional

Ground-Water Flow Model. Because of its ability to simulate a wide variety of systems, its

extensive publicly available documentation, and its rigorous USGS peer review, MODFLOW

has become the worldwide standard ground-water flow model. MODFLOW is used to

simulate systems for water supply, containment remediation and mine dewatering. When

properly applied, MODFLOW is the recognized standard model.

The main objectives in designing MODFLOW were to produce a program that can

be readily modified, is simple to use and maintain, can be executed on a variety of

computers with minimal changes, and has the ability to manage the large data sets required

when running large problems. The MODFLOW report includes detailed explanations of

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physical and mathematical concepts on which the model is based and an explanation of

how those concepts was incorporated in the modular structure of the computer program.

The modular structure of MODFLOW consists of a Main Program and a series of highly-

independent subroutines called modules. The modules are grouped in packages. Each

package deals with a specific feature of the hydrologic system which is to be simulated such

as flow from rivers or flow into drains or with a specific method of solving linear equations

which describe the flow system such as the Strongly Implicit Procedure or Preconditioned

Conjugate Gradient. The division of MODFLOW into modules permits the user to examine

specific hydrologic features of the model independently. This also facilitates development of

additional capabilities because new modules or packages can be added to the program

without modifying the existing ones. The input/output system of MODFLOW was designed

for optimal flexibility.

Ground-water flow within the aquifer is simulated in MODFLOW using a block

entered finite-difference approach. Layers can be simulated as confined, unconfined, or a

combination of both. Flows from external stresses such as flow to wells, areal recharge,

evapotranspiration, flow to drains, and flow through riverbeds can also be simulated.

MT3D

(A Modular 3D Solute Transport Model)

MT3D is a comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model for simulating solute

transport in complex hydrogeologic settings. MT3D has a modular design that permits

simulation of transport processes independently or jointly. MT3D is capable of modelling

advection in complex steady-state and transient flow fields, anisotropic dispersion, first-

order decay and production reactions, and linear and nonlinear sorption. It can also handle

bioplume-type reactions, monad reactions, and daughter products. This enables MT3D to

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do multi-species reactions and simulate or assess natural attenuation within a contaminant

plume. MT3D is linked with the USGS groundwater flow simulator, MODFLOW, and is

designed Specifically to handle advectively-dominated transport problems without the need

to construct refined models specifically for solute transport.

F EF LOW

(Finite Element Subsurface Flow System)

FEFLOW is a finite-element package for simulating 3D and 2D fluid density-

coupled flow, contaminant mass (salinity) and heat transport in the subsurface. It is capable

of computing:

• Groundwater systems with and without free surfaces (phreatic aquifers, perched water

tables, moving meshes);

• Problems in saturated-unsaturated zones;

• Both salinity-dependent and temperature-dependent transport phenomena (thermohaline

flows);

• Complex geometric and parametric situations.

The package is fully graphics-based and interactive. Pre-, main- and post-

processing are integrated. There is a data interface to GIS (Geographic Information System)

and a programming interface. The implemented numerical features allow the solution of

large problems. Adaptive techniques are incorporated.

HST3D

(3-D Heat and Solute Transport Model)

HST3D is a powerful user-friendly interface for HST3D integrated within the Argus

Open Numerical Environments (Argus ONE) modelling environment. HST3D allows the

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user to enter all spatial data, graphically run HST3D, and visualize the results. Argus ONE

integrates CAD, GIS, Database, Conceptual Modelling, Geostatistics, Automatic Grid and

Mesh Generation, and Scientific

Visualization within one comprehensive graphical user interface (GUI). The Heat

and Solute Transport Model HST3D simulates ground-water flow and associated heat and

solute transport in three dimensions. The HST3D model may be used for analysis of

problems such as those related to subsurface-waste injection, landfill leaching, saltwater

intrusion, freshwater recharge and recovery, radioactive waste disposal, water geothermal

systems, and subsurface energy storage. The Argus ONE GIS and Grid Modules are required

to run HST3D.

S EA WET

(Three-Dimensional Variable-Density Ground-Water Flow)

The SEAWAT program was developed to simulate three-dimensional, variable

density, transient ground-water flow in porous media. The source code for SEAWAT was

developed by combining MODFLOW and MT3DMS into a single program that solves the

coupled flow and solute-transport equations. The SEAWAT code follows a modular

structure, and thus, new capabilities can be added with only minor modifications to the

main program. SEAWAT reads and writes standard MODFLOW and MT3DMS data sets,

although some extra input may be required for some SEAWAT simulations. This means that

many of the existing pre- and post-processors can be used to create input data sets and

analyse simulation results. Users familiar with MODFLOW and MT3DMS should have little

difficulty applying SEAWAT to problems of variable-density ground-water flow.

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SUTRA

(2-D Saturated/Unsaturated Transport Model)

SUTRA is a 2D groundwater saturated-unsaturated transport model, a complete

saltwater intrusion and energy transport model. SUTRA simulates fluid movement and

transport of either energy or dissolved substances in a subsurface environment. SUTRA

employs a two-dimensional hybrid finite-element and integrated finite-difference method

to approximate the governing equations that describe the two interdependent processes that

are simulated: (1) fluid density dependent saturated or unsaturated groundwater flow and

either (2a) transport of a solute in the groundwater, in which the solute may be subject to

equilibrium adsorption on the porous matrix and both first-order and zero-order

production or decay, or (2b) transport of thermal energy in the groundwater and solid

matrix of the aquifer. A 3-D version of SUTRA has been recently released.

S WI M

(Soil water infiltration and movement model - simulate soil water balances

SWIMv1 (Soil Water Infiltration and Movement model version 1) is a software

package for simulating water infiltration and movement in soils. SWIMv1 consists of a

menu-driven suite of three programs that allow the user to simulate soil water balances

using numerical solutions of the basic soil water flow equations. As in the real world,

SWIMv1 allows addition of water to the system as precipitation and removal by runoff,

drainage, evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration by vegetation. SWIMv1 helps

researchers and consultants understand the soil water balance so they can assess possible

effects of such practices as tree clearing, strip mining and irrigation management. SWIMv1

is valuable for scientists and consultants involved in land planning and land management.

For example, if a development is being considered which involves tree clearing; SWIMv1

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can be used to indicate salinity or surface runoff problems that could result from a change

in the soil water balance associated with the removal of the trees.

SWIMv2 (Soil Water Infiltration and Movement model version 2) is a mechanistically-

based model designed to address soil water and solute balance issues associated with both

production and the environmental consequences of production. SWIMv2 employs fast,

numerically-efficient techniques for solving Richards' equation for water flow and the

convection-dispersion equation for solute transport and is suitable for personal computer

applications. The model deals with a one-dimensional vertical soil profile which may be

vertically inhomogeneous but is assumed to be horizontally uniform. It can be used to

simulate runoff, infiltration, redistribution, solute transport and redistribution of solutes,

plant uptake and transpiration, evaporation, deep drainage and leaching.

VISUAL HELP

(Modelling Environment for the U.S. EPA HELP Model for Evaluating and Optimizing

Landfill Designs)

Visual HELP for Windows 95/98/2000/NT is an advanced hydrological modelling

environment available for designing landfills, predicting leachate mounding and evaluating

potential leachate contamination. Visual HELP combines the latest version of the HELP

model with an easy-to user interface and powerful graphical features for designing the

model and evaluating the modelling results. Visual HELP's user-friendly interface and

flexible data handling procedures provides convenient access to both the basic and

advanced features of the HELP model. This completely-integrated modelling HELP

environment allows the user to graphically create several profiles representing different

parts of a landfill; automatically generate statistically-reliable weather data (or create your

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own); run complex model simulations; visualize full-colour, high-resolution results; and

prepare graphical and document materials for your report.

Visual MODFLOW

(Integrated Modelling Environment for MODFLOW, MODPATH, MT3D)

Visual MODFLOW provides professional 3D groundwater flow and contaminant

transport modelling using MODFLOW-2000, MODPATH, MT3DMS and RT3D. Visual

MODFLOW Pro seamlessly combines the standard Visual MODFLOW package with

Wimpiest and the Visual MODFLOW 3D-Explorer to give the most complete and powerful

graphical modelling environment available. This

Fully-integrated groundwater modelling environment allows to:

• Graphically design the model grid, properties and boundary conditions,

• Visualize the model input parameters in two or three dimensions,

• Run the groundwater flow, path line and contaminant transport simulations,

• Automatically calibrate the model using WinPEST or manual methods, and

• Display and interpret the modelling results in three-dimensional space using the Visual

MODFLOW 3D-Explorer

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5. References

1. C. P. Kumar GROUNDWATER FLOW MODELS National Institute of

Hydrology Roorkee – 247667 (Uttaranchal)

2. C. P. Kumar Introduction to Groundwater Modelling National Institute of

Hydrology Roorkee – 247667 (Uttaranchal) India

3. Lecture note prepared by Tenalem Ayenew (Associate Professor of Hydrogeology

& Engineering Geology) Addis Ababa University, Department of Earth Sciences

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