Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to groundwater modelling providing the relevant theory and practical experience to develop and test conceptual models, to recognize data requirements, and to identify the limitations of numerical models. State-of-the-art groundwater modelling software will be used. An emphasis is placed on modelling flow in the saturated zone, but unsaturated zone hydrology, solute transport, and density dependent flow are also covered.

COURSE DETAILS:

Prerequisite/corequisite: EASC 304 (or an equivalent course from another university)

General:
This is an introductory course in groundwater modelling. The course will provide the student with the relevant theory and practical experience to develop and test conceptual models, recognize data requirements, and identify the limitations of numerical models. Assignments and a term project will be completed using state-of-the-art groundwater modelling software. An emphasis will be placed on modelling flow in the saturated zone, but unsaturated zone hydrology, solute transport, and density dependent flow are also covered.

Course Topics:
1. Review of Fundamentals in Hydrogeology
2. Modeling Fundamentals
3. Designing the Numerical Model
4. Model Calibration, Particle Tracking, Forecasting and Uncertainty Analysis
5. Modeling Reports
6. Advanced Topics – Solute Transport, Flow in the Unsaturated Zone, Fracture Flow, Heat Transport, Multi-Phase Flow, Density Dependent Flow
The following computer codes will be used or demonstrated:
I.      3-D Flow and Particle Tracking : Visual MODFLOW
II.    3-D Solute Transport: MT3D
III.  1-D Unsaturated Flow: WHI UnSat Suite, MIKE SHE
IV.   3-D Saturated-Unsaturated Density Dependent Flow and Transport - SEAWAT

Course Organization:
One 2-hour lecture and a 3-hour lab. Weekly assignments will be distributed during lab time. A modeling term project that integrates the various skills developed through the assignments will be distributed mid-semester.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: