Home
Back
Storage Coefficient Formula:
| From: | To: |
The Storage Coefficient (Well-Field Design) refers to the volume of water released from storage per unit decline in hydraulic head in the aquifer, per unit area of the aquifer. It is a dimensionless parameter that indicates the aquifer's ability to store and release water.
The calculator uses the storage coefficient formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the storage coefficient based on transmissivity, time, and the distance from the pumping well to the point where the drawdown is zero.
Details: The storage coefficient is crucial in hydrogeology for understanding aquifer characteristics, predicting groundwater flow, and designing efficient well-field systems. It helps determine how much water an aquifer can yield and how it responds to pumping.
Tips: Enter transmissivity in m²/s, time in hours, and distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the typical range of storage coefficient values?
A: For confined aquifers, storage coefficients typically range from 0.00005 to 0.005. For unconfined aquifers, values are much higher, typically between 0.1 and 0.3.
Q2: How does storage coefficient differ from specific yield?
A: Storage coefficient applies to confined aquifers and represents elastic storage, while specific yield applies to unconfined aquifers and represents water that drains by gravity.
Q3: What factors affect the storage coefficient?
A: The storage coefficient depends on aquifer compressibility, water compressibility, and aquifer thickness for confined aquifers.
Q4: Why is the distance from pumping well important?
A: The distance affects the drawdown pattern and helps determine the zero-drawdown point, which is crucial for accurate storage coefficient calculation.
Q5: Can this formula be used for all aquifer types?
A: This formula is primarily used for confined aquifers. Different approaches may be needed for unconfined aquifers or complex hydrogeological settings.