Hantush H(u,β) Solution for Leaky Confined Aquifers
Description
A mathematical solution by Hantush (1960) is useful for determining the hydraulic properties (transmissivity and storativity of aquifer, vertical hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficient of aquitard) of leaky confined (semi-confined) aquifers.
Analysis involves matching the Hantush H(u,β) well function to water-level drawdown data collected during a pumping test (aquifer test). The solution assumes storage in the aquitard and also accounts for partially penetrating wells (Hantush 1961a,b).
AQTESOLV provides visual and automatic methods for matching the Hantush H(u,β) solution to pumping test data. This easy-to-use and intuitive software promotes rapid and accurate determination of aquifer properties.
Assumptions
The following assumptions apply to the use of the Hantush β solution:
- aquifer has infinite areal extent
- aquifer is homogeneous, isotropic and of uniform thickness
- control well is fully or partially penetrating
- flow to control well is horizontal when control well is fully penetrating
- aquifer is leaky confined
- flow is unsteady
- water is released instantaneously from storage with decline of hydraulic head
- diameter of control well is very small so that storage in the well can be neglected
- confining bed(s) has infinite areal extent, uniform vertical hydraulic conductivity and uniform thickness
- confining bed(s) is overlain or underlain by an infinite constant-head plane source
- flow in the aquitard(s) is vertical
Solution Options
AQTESOLV provides the following options for the Hantush β solution:
- variable pumping rates
- multiple pumping wells
- multiple observation wells
- partially penetrating pumping and observation wells
Benchmark
Comparison of AQTESOLV (blue line) and published Hantush (1960) well function data (symbols) for β=1.
References
Hantush, M.S., 1960. Modification of the theory of leaky aquifers, Jour. of Geophys. Res., vol. 65, no. 11, pp. 3713-3725.
Hantush, M.S., 1961a. Drawdown around a partially penetrating well, Jour. of the Hyd. Div., Proc. of the Am. Soc. of Civil Eng., vol. 87, no. HY4, pp. 83-98.
Hantush, M.S., 1961b. Aquifer tests on partially penetrating wells, Jour. of the Hyd. Div., Proc. of the Am. Soc. of Civil Eng., vol. 87, no. HY5, pp. 171-194.
See also: solution methods, pumping tests