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Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator

Calculate steady-state radial groundwater extraction rate Q, drawdown cone of depression s_w, and face hydraulic gradient in unconfined aquifers using the Dupuit-Thiem analytical formulation.

Aquifer permeability K (e.g. 5-50 m/day for clean sand, 50-500 m/day for gravel).

Initial height of static water table above impermeable bedrock stratum.

Height of water column remaining inside pumping well above bedrock base.

Casing or gravel pack outer radius (typically 0.15 - 0.50 m).

Radial distance at which pumping drawdown drops to zero (typically 100 - 500 m).

Calculated Result
23.77 L/s

Steady Well Discharge (Q)

Daily Pumping Volume

2053.4 m³/day

Well Drawdown (s_w)

7 m

Aquifer Thickness (H)

25 m

Intake Face Gradient

4.84

Calculation Breakdown

  1. Aquifer Piezometric DrawdownTotal Drawdown s_w = H - h_w = 25 - 18 = 7 m
  2. Dupuit Radial Discharge IntegrationQ = [π·K·(H² - h_w²)] / ln(R / r_w) = [π · 15 · (25² - 18²)] / ln(250 / 0.25) = 2053.4 m³/day
  3. Intake Velocity & Well Screen GradientWell Face Hydraulic Gradient i = 4.84 m/m; Yield = 23.77 L/s

Aquifer Water Levels & Drawdown

Interactive visualization based on your current inputs

Value
0.06.3131925Initial Head H (m)Well Head hw (m)Drawdown sw (m)Yield (L/s)ParameterValue

What Is the Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator?

Calculate steady-state radial groundwater extraction rate Q, drawdown cone of depression s_w, and face hydraulic gradient in unconfined aquifers using the Dupuit-Thiem analytical formulation.

The Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator is an analytical tool in the construction domain designed to evaluate Hydraulic Conductivity (K), Initial Undisturbed Saturated Head (H), Pumping Water Level in Well (h_w), Borehole Well Radius (r_w), Cone Radius of Influence (R) using verified mathematical equations. It provides reproducible, deterministic calculations for academic, professional, and practical applications.

How Does the Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator Work?

This calculator computes results by taking input values for Hydraulic Conductivity (K), Initial Undisturbed Saturated Head (H), Pumping Water Level in Well (h_w), Borehole Well Radius (r_w), Cone Radius of Influence (R) and applying the governing equation: Dupuit-Thiem radial differential integration for steady unconfined groundwater seepage over impervious horizontal bedrock.. Values are checked for dimensional consistency and processed through standard arithmetic routines.

Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator Formula & Variables

The core mathematical equation utilized by this calculator is expressed as:

Q=πK(H2−hw2)ln⁡(R/rw),sw=H−hwQ = \frac{\pi K (H^2 - h_w^2)}{\ln(R / r_w)}, \quad s_w = H - h_w

Dupuit-Thiem radial differential integration for steady unconfined groundwater seepage over impervious horizontal bedrock.

How to Use the Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator

  1. Enter your value for Hydraulic Conductivity (K) in m/day.
  2. Enter your value for Initial Undisturbed Saturated Head (H) in m.
  3. Enter your value for Pumping Water Level in Well (h_w) in m.
  4. Enter your value for Borehole Well Radius (r_w) in m.
  5. Enter your value for Cone Radius of Influence (R) in m.
  6. Verify your input parameters to ensure they match your design or problem specifications.
  7. Review the calculated results, intermediate mathematical steps, and graphical visualization below.

Step-by-Step Example Calculation

Medium Sand Unconfined Well (H = 25m, hw = 18m, K = 15 m/day)

Input Values:

hydraulicConductivityMDay:15
undisturbedAquiferHeadHM:25
pumpingWellWaterLevelHwM:18
wellBoreRadiusRwM:0.25
radiusOfInfluenceRM:250
Worked Steps: Delivers 2053.8 m³/day (23.77 L/s) steady discharge at 7.0m casing drawdown.

Understanding Your Result

The calculated output gives the primary solution for Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge under the specified conditions. Use this value to compare against standard design tolerances, benchmarks, or reference ranges in construction.

Factors That Affect the Result

  • Input precision and measurement accuracy of Hydraulic Conductivity (K), Initial Undisturbed Saturated Head (H), Pumping Water Level in Well (h_w), Borehole Well Radius (r_w), Cone Radius of Influence (R).
  • Operating conditions, environmental parameters, and specific construction tolerances.
  • Boundary constraints and deviations from nominal theoretical model assumptions.

When Should You Use This Calculator?

  • When performing technical analysis or dimensioning related to Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge.
  • To cross-verify manual calculations or theoretical models in construction.
  • For preliminary estimates before conducting detailed field measurements or laboratory testing.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Dupuit-Thiem Discharge: Q = [π · K · (H² - h_w²)] / ln(R / r_w) in m³/day.
  • Pumping Drawdown: s_w = H - h_w.
  • Well Face Inflow Velocity: v_face = Q / (2 · π · r_w · h_w).
  • Conversion: 1 m³/day = 1000 / 86400 ≈ 0.01157 L/s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What assumptions underlie the Dupuit-Thiem unconfined well equation?+
It assumes horizontal radial flow lines, negligible vertical flow velocity components, uniform hydraulic conductivity K, a horizontal impermeable base, and full penetration of the well bore into the saturated layer.
How is the radius of influence R estimated in practice?+
R can be estimated from observation wells or Sichardt empirical equation R = 3000 · s_w · √K (where K is in m/s), commonly ranging from 100m in fine sand to over 500m in gravelly formations.

Calculation Accuracy & Reference Note

This calculator implements verified mathematical formulas for Unconfined Aquifer Dupuit-Thiem Well Discharge Calculator. Always verify critical results against official domain standards and manufacturer documentation.

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