Hvorslev Slug Test Solution for Confined Aquifers
Description
A mathematical solution by Hvorslev (1951) is useful for determining the hydraulic conductivity of nonleaky confined aquifers. Analysis involves matching a straight-line solution to water-level displacement data collected during an overdamped slug test. The Hvorslev method also yields appropriate estimates of K for overdamped tests in unconfined aquifers (more information).
AQTESOLV provides visual and automatic methods for matching the Hvorslev 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
The following assumptions apply to the use of the Hvorslev method of slug test analysis:
- 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 nonleaky confined
- flow is steady
Solution Options
AQTESOLV provides the following options for the Hvorslev slug test solution:
- partially penetrating wells
- correction for gravel pack porosity
- hydraulic conductivity anisotropy
Benchmark
AQTESOLV benchmark for Hvorslev (1951) solution matched to an overdamped slug test in a confined aquifer using recommended head range (Butler 1998). Butler (1998) reported K=16.1 m/day for these data.
References
Hvorslev, M.J., 1951. Time Lag and Soil Permeability in Ground-Water Observations, Bull. No. 36, Waterways Exper. Sta. Corps of Engrs, U.S. Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, pp. 1-50. [pdf]
See also: solution methods, slug tests