Calculation of groundwater head distribution with a close barrier during excavation dewatering in confined aquifer

When pumping is conducted in confined aquifer inside excavation pit(waterproof curtain),the direction of the groundwater seepage outside the excavation changes from horizontal to vertical owing to the existence of the curtain barrier.There is no analytical calculation method for the groundwater head distribution induced by dewatering inside excavation.This paper first analyses the mechanism of the blocking effects from a close barrier in confined aquifer.Then,a simple equation based on analytical solution is proposed to calculate groundwater heads inside and outside of the excavation pit with waterproof curtain(hereafter refer to close barrier)in a confined aquifer.The distribution of groundwater head is derived according to two conditions:(i)pumping with a constant water head,and(ii)pumping with a constant flow rate.The proposed calculation equation is verified by both numerical simulation and experimental results.The comparisons demonstrate that the proposed model can be applied in engineering practice of excavation.

Boundary Element Analysis (Laplace Transform Solution) of Groundwater Unsteady Flow to a Multiple Well System in a Confined Aquifer

The calculations of unsteady flow to a multiple well system with the application of boundary elementmethod (BEM) are discussed. The mathematical model of unsteady well flow is a boundary value problem ofparabolic differential equation. It is changed into an elliptic one by Laplace transform to eliminate time varia-ble. The image function of water head H can be solved by BEM. We derived the boundary integral equation ofthe transformed variable H and the discretization form of it, so that there is no need to discretize the bounda-ries of well walls and it becomes easier to solve the groundwater head H by numerical inversion.

Simulation of Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Confined Aquifer Using a Point Collocation Method Based Meshfree Model

Seawater intrusion caused by groundwater over-exploitation from coastal aquifers poses a severe problem in many regions. Formulation of proper pumping strategy using a simulation model can assure sustainable supply of fresh water from the coastal aquifers. The focus of the present study is on the development of a numerical model based on Meshfree (MFree) method to study the seawater intrusion problem. For the simulation of seawater intrusion problem, widely used models are based on Finite Difference (FDM) and Finite Element (FEM) Methods, which demand well defined grids/meshes and considerable pre-processing efforts. Here, MFree Point Collocation Method (PCM) based on the Radial Basis Function (RBF) is proposed for the simulation. Diffusive interface approach with density-dependent dispersion and solution of flow and solute transport is adopted. These equations are solved using PCM with appropriate boundary conditions. The developed model has been verified with Henry’s problem, and found to be satisfactory. Further the model has been applied to another established problem and an attempt is made to examine the influence of important system parameters including pumping and recharge on the seawater intrusion. The PCM based MFree model is found computationally efficient as preprocessing is avoided when compared to other numerical methods.

Steady-State Radial Flow Modeling through the Production Well in the Confined Aquifer of Monzoungoudo,Benin

This study aims to develop a mathematical analysis for one-dimensional modeling of a radial flow through a production well drilled in a confined aquifer, in the case of steady-state flow conditions. An analytical solution has derived from that expression for estimation of drawdowns according to different flowrates. Through that process, the evaluation of static pressure, the calculation of hydraulic charge due to the waterflow through the well is evaluated, the drawdowns curves are drawn and at last, the obtained curves are analyzed. The curves obtained for the different flow rates have an asymptotic direction, the axis of the hydraulic charges. The variation of the hydraulic charge depends on the radial distance for different flow rates. The P point, is a common point of all curves obtained for different production flowrates in the well. This point is where the well production flowrate is optimum for the optimal hydraulic charge.

Optimization of confined aquifer dewatering for long-deep excavation using simulation–optimization method

The confined aquifer dewatering for long-deep excavations usually encounters challenges due to complicated geotechnical conditions,large excavation sizes,and high hydraulic pressures.To propose the most efficient scheme of confined aquifer dewatering for long-deep excavations,dewatering optimizations were performed using the simulation–optimization method.An open cut tunnel of the Jiangyin-Jingjiang Yangtze River Tunnel Project was taken as an example.The methods of finite element and linear programming(LP)were combined to optimize the dewatering process.A three-dimensional finite element model was developed.After simulating the pumping tests,hydraulic conductivity was inverted.Then,necessary parameters in the LP method were determined by simulating dewatering with each pumping well,and various LP models were developed based on some important influence factors such as dewatering sequence,considered pumping wells,and pumping rate limitation.Finally,the optimal pumping rates were solved and applied to the numerical model,with induced drawdown and ground settlement computed for comparison.The results indicate that the optimization can significantly reduce the required wells in the original design.Dewatering in the deepest zone exhibits the highest efficiency for long-deep excavations with gradually varying depths.For the dewatering sequence from the shallowest to the deepest zone,more pumping wells are required but less energy is consumed.Higher quantity and more advantageous locations of pumping wells in the LP model usually result in lower total pumping rate,drawdown,and ground settlement.If more pumping wells are considered in the deepest zone,pumping rate limitation of single well will only slightly increase the total pumping rate,number of required pumping wells,drawdown,and ground settlement.

Influence of confined water on the limit support pressure of tunnel face in weakly water-rich strata

In the process of shield tunneling through soft soil layers,the presence of confined water ahead poses a significant threat to the stability of the tunnel face.Therefore,it is crucial to consider the impact of confined water on the limit support pressure of the tunnel face.This study employed the finite element method(FEM)to analyze the limit support pressure of shield tunnel face instability within a pressurized water-containing layer.Subsequently,a multiple linear regression approach was applied to derive a concise solution formula for the limit support pressure,incorporating various influencing factors.The analysis yields the following conclusions:1)The influence of confined water on the instability mode of the tunnel face in soft soil layers makes the displacement response of the strata not significant when the face is unstable;2)The limit support pressure increases approximately linearly with the pressure head,shield tunnel diameter,and tunnel burial depth.And inversely proportional to the thickness of the impermeable layer,soil cohesion and internal friction angle;3)Through an engineering case study analysis,the results align well with those obtained from traditional theoretical methods,thereby validating the rationality of the equations proposed in this paper.Furthermore,the proposed equations overcome the limitation of traditional theoretical approaches considering the influence of changes in impermeable layer thickness.It can accurately depict the dynamic variation in the required limit support pressure to maintain the stability of the tunnel face during shield tunneling,thus better reflecting engineering reality.

Confined aquifer as wave-guide and its responses to geo-acoustic waves

On the basis of the hydro geological model of a confined aquifer, the propagation mechanism of geo acoustic waves along the confined aquifer outlined as a plate wave guide is proposed. The harmonic frequency equation for geo acoustic propagation along confined aquifer as waveguide is derived from Biot theory. The basic frequency of the confined aquifer with a deep well for geo acoustic observation, located at Juxian county, Shandong province, China, is 35.0 Hz. By Wigner distribution of geo acoustic signals observed at Juxian geo acoustic well, the frequencies of geo acoustics are basically the integral multiple of the basic frequency. The results show that the responses of the confined aquifer to geo acoustic waves are characterized by frequency selection and frequency dependence. Only the waves whose frequency f is the integral multiple of basic frequency can propagate as guide waves in the aquifer, that is , the aquifer responds to the waves.

A Heuristic Approach to Estimating Spatial Variability of Vertical Leakage in the Recharge Zone of the Gambier Basin Tertiary Confined Sand Aquifer, South Australia

The vertical leakage to confined aquifers is rarely quantified in complex settings, where the recharge zone is characterized by both diffuse and preferential flows. In such setting, conventional hydraulic or tracer based estimation of recharge or vertical leakage is problematic, unless the effects of duality of flow regimes are considered. A water balance approach by the use of calibrated groundwater models can be used, as the mass balance is independent of the particular mode of recharge and vertical leakage processes. Here, we adopt a water balance approach to provide a first order assessment of recharge to the unconfined Tertiary limestone aquifer (TLA) and vertical leakage to the Tertiary confined sand aquifer (TCSA) within the Glencoe-Nangwarry-Nagwarry (GNN) recharge zone of the Gambier Basin in South Australia. Despite many studies expressing concern about the impact of land use on recharge to the TLA and vertical leakage to the TCSA, no estimates have been made to quantify the vertical leakage within the GNN recharge zone. In the GNN recharge zone, relatively high recharge to the unconfined aquifer and vertical leakage to the confined aquifer occurs as a result of both diffuse and preferential flow processes. This is due to presence of structural faults and thin or absent aquitard. Within the Hundred of Nangwarry, where 83% of the area is covered with plantation forest, the model calculated recharge to the TLA of 80 mm·year-1, about 44% reduction compared to adjacent non-forested area (144 mm·year-1). Vertical leakage to the TCSA within the Hundred of Nangwarry area is higher (84.5 mm·year-1) than recharge to the TLA. Higher vertical leakage combined with the reduced recharge to TLA resulted in depletion of the TLA storage, as evidenced by drying of the TLA at one locality. In contrast, in plantation forest areas where diffuse recharge is the dominant process (Hundred of Penola), recharge to the TLA is about 19 mm·year-1, a 78% reduction compared to the non-forested areas, a mix of irrigation and dryland pasture. In these areas, vertical leakage to the TCSA is much smaller: 8 mm·year-1 through a thick aquitard. Simulation of a management scenario in which plantation forest is replaced by dryland pasture in the Hundred of Nangwarry results in 135 mm·year-1 recharge to TLA and a 98 mm·year-1 vertical leakage to the TCSA.

Hydrogeochemistry of Shale-Limestone-Mudstone Successions Aquifers—The Case of the Hantebet Sub Basin in Northern Ethiopia

The present paper provides evidence of the possible impact of shale-limestone-mudstone successions aquifers on groundwater chemistry by assessing the different hydrogeochemical processes. This was done by considering a sedimentary aquifer basin, namely the Hantebet sub basin (24.4 km2), Tekeze basin, northern Ethiopia. Groundwater is the main source of water supply in the sub basin extracted using hand dug wells, for domestic, irrigation and livestock uses. The sub basin is dominated by Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary successions. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from hand dug wells using depth-integrated sampling techniques from both confined and unconfined aquifers. The major water bearing formations are gravely sand, weathered shale and weathered and fractured limestone, and intercalated weathered and fractured limestone and mudstone. The results indicate that groundwater is acidic to neutral, fresh, and hard to very hard. Ca2+, Na+, HCO-3 and SO2-4 are dominant ions compared to Mg2+, K+, and Cl- ions which show low to very low concentrations. Among eight hydrochemical facies identified, Ca-Na-HCO3 (40%), Ca-HCO3 (20%), Ca-Mg-Na-HCO3 (10%) and Ca-Na-HCO3-SO4 (10%) types dominate water chemistry. Dissolution of calcite and gypsum, and hydrolysis of feldspars, plagioclase, biotite and pyroxene are the major geochemical processes that control the chemistry of groundwater in the area. The intercalated shale beds are the source of sodium and chloride ions. Since, this study is based on groundwater from hand dug wells, the conclusions of this study should be further verified using groundwater from deep wells that are drilled in these successions.

Roof pre-blasting to prevent support crushing and water inrush accidents

Support crushing and water inrush when mining under an unconsolidated confined aquifer in the Qidong Coal Mine was prevented by roof pre-blasting. The mechanism and applicable conditions for this method have been studied. The results show that when an overburden structure that may cause support crushing and a water inrush accident exists the weakening of the primary key stratum, which thereby reduces its weighting step, roof pre-blasting is both feasible and effective. If the position of the primary key stratum can be moved upward to exceed 10 times the mining height the possibility of support crushing and water inrush disaster caused by key stratum compound breakage will be lowered. The overburden structure of the number 7121 working face was considered during the design of a technical proposal involving roof pre-blasting. After comprehensively analyzing the applicability of roof pre-blasting the resulting design prevented support crushing and water inrush disasters from happening at the number 7121 working face and laid a solid foundation for mining safely.

Risk assessment of fault water inrush during deep mining

With the gradual depletion of shallow coal resources,the Yanzhou mine in China will enter the lower coal seam mining phase.However,as mining depth increases,lower coal seam mining in Yanzhou is threatened by water inrush in the Benxi Formation limestone and Ordovician limestone.The existing prediction models for the water burst at the bottom of the coal seam are less accurate than expected owing to various controlling factors and their intrinsic links.By analyzing the hydrogeological exploration data of the Baodian lower seam and combining the results of the water inrush coefficient method and the Yanzhou mine pressure seepage test,an evaluation model of the seepage barrier capacity of the fault was established.The evaluation results show the water of the underlying limestone aquifer in the Baodian mine area mainly threatens the lower coal mining through the fault fracture zone.The security of mining above confined aquifer in the Baodian mine area gradually decreases from southwest to northeast.By comparing the water inrush coefficient method and the evaluation model of fault impermeability,the results show the evaluation model based on seepage barrier conditions is closer to the actual situation when analyzing the water breakout situation at the working face.

Numerical Simulation of Land Subsidence at Tanggu District in Tianjin, China

Based on observed data from Tanggu District in Tianjin, a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) model was introduced to predict possible land subsidence due to exploitation of groundwater. According to model estimation under various hypothetical extraction scenarios, patterns of land subsidence at Tanggu District were studied and discussed.The predicted average background land subsidence rate of Tanggu is 9.47 mm/a.The significance of contribution of aquifers to land subsidence descends in order of units Ⅳ,Ⅲ,Ⅴ,Ⅱ.Land subsidence tends to deteriorate with the increase in total extraction rate.

Modeling of the Saltwater Intrusion Using the Level Set Method. Application to Henry’s Problem

The salt intrusion phenomenon is caused by overexploitation of aquifers in coastal areas. This physical phenomenon has been the subject of numerous studies and numerous methods have been proposed, with the aim of protecting the quality of the water in these aquifers. This work proposes a two-dimensional saline intrusion model using the sharp interface approach and the level set method. It consists of a parabolic equation modeling the underground flow and a hyperbolic Equation (the level set equation) which makes it possible to track the evolution of the interface. High-order numerical schemes such as the space scheme WENO5 and the third-order time scheme TVD-RK were used for the numerical resolution of the hyperbolic equation. To limit the tightening of the contour curves of the level set function, the redistanciation or reinitialization algorithm proposed by Sussma et al. (1994) was used. To ensure the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method, two tests relating to the standard Henry problem and the modified Henry problem were performed. Recall that Henry’s problem uses the variable density modeling approach in a confined and homogeneous aquifer. By comparing the results obtained by the level set method with reinitialization (LSMR) and those obtained by Henry (1964), and by Simpson and Clement (2004), we see in the two test cases that the level set method reproduces well the toe, the tip and the behaviour of the interface. These results correspond to the results obtained by Abarca for Henry’s problem with constant dispersion coefficients. The results obtained with LSMR, reproduced the interface with a slight spacing compared to those obtained by Henry. According to Abarca (2006), this spacing is due to the absence of the longitudinal and transversal dispersion coefficients in the model.

Hydraulic head difference at two sides of suspended waterproof curtain during multi-grade dewatering of excavation

This paper proposes an approach to calculate the head difference at two sides of suspended waterproof curtains during multi-grade dewatering.The seepage during the dewatering process can be subdivided into three regions:(i)seepage in pit,(ii)seepage between cur-tains,and(iii)seepage outside the pit.The flow rate of the first region is equal to the pumping rate,and the flow rate of the second and third regions can be obtained by numerical analysis.A numerical model is established to simulate the seepage in the second and third regions and its performance is validated by using the measured data of a series of field tests.The flow rate of each region is then used to derive formulae for the head difference in conventional dewatering,which can be used to determine the head difference at two sides of each waterproof curtain during multi-grade dewatering.The proposed formula expresses the head difference as a function of the relative depth of the curtain inserted into the confined aquifer,the thickness of the aquifer,the distance between two curtains,and the anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer.The proposed numerical approach is further validated by using data derived from numerical analysis.The validation results demonstrated that the predictions of the proposed approach are acceptable and convenient.

Effect of Wall Deformation on Dewatering-Induced Ground Surface Settlement

In practice,dewatering for pressure relief is commonly undertaken during ongoing excavation to secure bottom stability against basal upheaval.Simultaneously,through unloading,wall deflection is obviously observed.Noticing that both cause soil deformations,this research is to study the effect of wall deformation on dewateringinduced settlement.A coupled numerical analysis of finite-difference software is employed to model Shanghai soft soils under multi-aquifer-aquitard systems(MAASs)by analyzing the results in association with an empirical approach.Consequently,through gradual force reduction,shear strength at soil-wall interface is significantly diminished.As wall deformation increases instantaneously upon lower loading,wall surface becomes deformedly bending;this condition causes the challenge to workability of shear strength.Moreover,wall deformation caused by unloading affects dewatering-induced settlement substantially.Under smaller loading,large wall deflection is observed;soil plane of failure caused by both sliding and compression occurs along slip curve,with weaker shear-strength soils at rD=0.4 and stronger shear-strength soils between rD=0.4 and rD=0.65,where rD is the distance from the wall that is normalized by the depth measured from ground surface.During dewatering,stronger soils tend to drag weaker soils upward to reduce large differential settlements caused by additional compression.Consequently,settlement becomes larger at rD=0.4 and smaller at rD=0.65.Remarkably,at rD>2.3,both settlement curves that result from numerical analysis and empirical method show overlapping;this indicates that the unloading effect on dewatering-induced settlement at rD>2.3 is insignificant.Furthermore,as wall reaches maximum allowable wall deflection by 67%applied force,additional compression caused by dewatering after loading remains smaller than that under 70%applied force,contributing to smaller dewatering-induced settlement.