ABSTRACT
Aquifer test modeling is herein defined as the process of searching for an aquifer test domain conceptual model that closely reproduces the measured response of an aquifer to a controlled discharge or slug change in the head. There are five major steps in the aquifer test modeling process:
1. Conceptual model definition 2. Modeling equation and software selection 3. Data adjustment 4. Data analysis 5. Model evaluation
A
conceptual model
is a space and time representation (approximation) of the groundwater flow system within an aquifer test domain that captures the essence of the groundwater system. An aquifer test domain is a volume of the groundwater flow system surrounding and within the influence of a pumped or slugged well. The aquifer test domain height is the groundwater flow system thickness, which can be 100 ft or more. A pumping test domain radius of influence can be 500 ft or more under unconfined aquifer conditions and 1000 ft or more under confined nonleaky, leaky, or fissure and block aquifer conditions. The slug test domain height can be 20 ft or more. A slug test domain radius of influence can be 20 ft or more.
