Bouwer-Rice Slug Test Solution for Unconfined Aquifers

Description

Well-aquifer configuration for Bouwer and Rice (1976) slug test solution in an unconfined aquifer

A mathematical solution by Bouwer and Rice (1976) is useful for determining the hydraulic conductivity (K) of unconfined and confined aquifers. Analysis involves matching a straight-line solution to water-level displacement data collected during an overdamped slug test. Bouwer (1989) points out the applicability of this solution for overdamped slug tests in confined as well as unconfined aquifers. Zlotnik (1994) added hydraulic conductivity anisotropy (Kz/Kr) to the method.

AQTESOLV provides visual and automatic methods for matching the Bouwer and Rice solution to slug test data. This easy-to-use and intuitive software promotes rapid and accurate determination of aquifer properties. The software also includes recommended head ranges (Butler 1998) that reduce ambiguity when matching straight-line solutions to concave slug test data.

Assumptions | Solution Options | Benchmark | References

Assumptions

The following assumptions apply to the use of the Bouwer and Rice slug test method:

  • aquifer has infinite areal extent
  • aquifer is homogeneous and of uniform thickness
  • aquifer potentiometric surface is initially horizontal
  • control well is fully or partially penetrating
  • a volume of water, V, is injected or discharged instantaneously from the control well
  • aquifer is confined or unconfined
  • flow is steady

Solution Options

provides the following options for the Bouwer and Rice overdamped slug test solution:

  • partially penetrating wells
  • correction for gravel pack porosity
  • hydraulic conductivity anisotropy

Benchmarks

AQTESOLV benchmark for Bouwer and Rice (1976) slug test solution
AQTESOLV benchmark for Bouwer and Rice (1976) solution matched to an overdamped slug test in an unconfined aquifer using recommended head range (Butler 1998). Butler (1998) reported K=3.46 m/day for these data.

Benchmark comparing "A" coefficient curve (line) from Bouwer and Rice (1976, Figure 3) and values computed by AQTESOLV (symbols).

Benchmark comparing "B" coefficient curve (line) from Bouwer and Rice (1976, Figure 3) and values computed by AQTESOLV (symbols).

Benchmark comparing "C" coefficient curve (line) from Bouwer and Rice (1976, Figure 3) and values computed by AQTESOLV (symbols).

References

Bouwer, H., 1989. The Bouwer and Rice slug test--an update, Ground Water, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 304-309.

Bouwer, H. and R.C. Rice, 1976. A slug test method for determining hydraulic conductivity of unconfined aquifers with completely or partially penetrating wells, Water Resources Research, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 423-428.

Zlotnik, V., 1994. Interpretation of slug and packer tests in anisotropic aquifers, Ground Water, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 761-766.

See also: solution methods, slug tests

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