Discharge Per Unit Width Of Aquifer Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ q = \frac{(h_o - h_1) \times K' \times b}{L} \]

Piezometric Head at Upstream End (h_o):

Piezometric Head at Downstream End (h₁):

Permeability Coefficient (K'):

m/s

Aquifer Thickness (b):

Length of Permeameter (L):

Discharge Per Unit Width Of Aquifer (q):

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1. What is Discharge Per Unit Width Of Aquifer?

Discharge Per Unit Width Of Aquifer is a measure of the volume of water that flows through a unit width of the aquifer per unit time. It's a fundamental parameter in hydrogeology for understanding groundwater flow characteristics and aquifer behavior.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ q = \frac{(h_o - h_1) \times K' \times b}{L} \]

Where:

\( q \) — Discharge per unit width of aquifer (m³/s)
\( h_o \) — Piezometric head at upstream end (m)
\( h_1 \) — Piezometric head at downstream end (m)
\( K' \) — Permeability coefficient (m/s)
\( b \) — Aquifer thickness (m)
\( L \) — Length of permeameter (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the flow rate per unit width based on the hydraulic gradient, aquifer permeability, and geometric properties.

3. Importance of Discharge Calculation

Details: Accurate discharge calculation is crucial for groundwater resource assessment, contaminant transport modeling, well field design, and understanding aquifer sustainability and yield characteristics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in consistent units (meters and meters/second). Ensure piezometric heads are measured accurately, and all input values are positive with appropriate precision for your application.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between discharge and discharge per unit width?
A: Discharge refers to the total volume flow rate, while discharge per unit width specifically measures flow through a unit width of the aquifer, making it useful for two-dimensional flow analysis.

Q2: How does aquifer thickness affect discharge?
A: Greater aquifer thickness typically results in higher discharge capacity, as there is more cross-sectional area available for groundwater flow.

Q3: What factors influence the permeability coefficient?
A: Permeability depends on pore size distribution, grain size, sorting, and connectivity of pore spaces within the aquifer material.

Q4: When is this calculation most applicable?
A: This calculation is particularly useful for confined aquifers or situations where flow can be approximated as uniform and horizontal.

Q5: What are typical values for discharge per unit width?
A: Values vary widely depending on aquifer properties, but typically range from 10^-6 to 10^-2 m³/s per meter width for most natural aquifer systems.