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Springer and Gelhar Slug Test Solution for Unconfined Aquifers

  • Assumptions
  • Benchmark
  • References

Related Solution Methods

  • Butler (1998)
  • Butler and Zhan (2004)

Additional Topics

  • Full list of solution methods
  • Slug test analysis
  • What is a slug test?
  • Overdamped slug tests
Well-aquifer configuration for underdamped slug test in unconfined aquifer

A mathematical solution by Springer and Gelhar (1991) is used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of unconfined aquifers. The method accounts for inertial effects in the well and oscillatory slug test response in a high-hydraulic conductivity (high-K) aquifer. Analysis involves matching a type-curve solution to water-level displacement data collected during an underdamped slug test. The Springer and Gelhar solution also incorporates frictional well loss in small-diameter wells (Butler 2002).

AQTESOLV provides visual and automatic methods for matching the Springer and Gelhar solution to slug 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 Springer and Gelhar slug test solution:

  • 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 unconfined
  • flow is steady

Solution
Options

AQTESOLV provides the following options for the Springer and Gelhar slug test solution:

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

Benchmark

Analysis of underdamped slug test in high-K aquifer
AQTESOLV benchmark for Springer and Gelhar (1991) solution matched to an underdamped slug test in an unconfined aquifer (Butler and Garnett 2000). Butler and Garnett (2000) reported K=0.00161 m/sec for these data.

References

Springer, R.K. and L.W. Gelhar, 1991. Characterization of large-scale aquifer heterogeneity in glacial outwash by analysis of slug tests with oscillatory response, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S. Geol. Surv. Water Res. Invest. Rep. 91-4034, pp. 36-40. [pdf]