37139 - "Groundwater Engineering T"

Learning outcomes

The learning outcome of this course is to give the fundamental knowledge of the underground water flow for both confined and unconfined aquifers. 
Laboratory measurements of principal petrophysical quantities. Pumping test to estimate soil parameters. Techniques to construct and manage water wells. General issues about soil and water pollution and remediation.

Course contents

Elements of hydrology: types of aquifers, types of soils, water in soils, granulometry of soils, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, wettability, water retention curves. Motion law of fluids in porous media: mass conservation theorem, Darcy's law. Two-dimesinal model of phreatic and confined aquifer, well model in phreatic and confined aquifer. Theis's solution of the diffusivity equation for confined aquifer. Cooper-Jacob solution of the diffusivity equation for well in confined and phreatic aquifers. The principle of effects superimposition. The solution at prefixed drawdown of the diffusivity equation for confined and phreatic aquifers. Steady state flow rate for well in confined and phreatic wells. Parallel flow: constant depth confined aquifer in steady state condition (s.s.c) constant depth semi-confined aquifer in s.s.c, variable depth aquifer in s.s.c , semi-confined aquifer in s.s.c, phreatic aquifer in transient conditions (t.c), phreatic aquifer in s.s.c, two-layered aquifer with different horizontal hydraulic conductivity, phreatic aquifer with horizontal variability of the horizontal hydraulic conductivity, phreatic aquifer in s.s.c, phreatic aquifer recharged from the top in s.s.c. Parameters identification of aquifer storage coefficient S, and transmissivity T, by tests in t.c and s.s.c in wells in phreatic and confined aquifers: method of Thiem, Theis, Jacob, Jacob-Lohamm, Hantus-Jacob, Stalman-Bower, Neuman. Water well-drilling methods, well completion, filter drain, case cementing, production startup, well specific capacity and efficiency. Flow in partial saturated soil: equations for a two-phase no miscible flow model (air, water), retention and relative permeability curves, generalized Darcy's law for multi-phases flow. Flow model equation in unsaturated soil by considering the immobility of the air, Richard's equation in 1D. Green-Ampt model for modeling infiltration in a partially saturated soil. Pollutant transport of miscible pollutants in water: the transport equation, analytical solutions of the transport equation in 1D and 2D, types of pollutants, preventive measures, emergency measures and means of investigation, operations of control and remediation, check on the efficiency of the remediation interventions. Introduction to the study of water reservoir behavior through numerical simulator.

Readings/Bibliography

1- Lecture notes.
2- W. Kinzelbach 'Groundwater modeling-An introduction with sample programs in BASIC' ,Elsevier, New York, 1986.
3- G. Chiesa 'Idraulica delle acque di falda', Dorio Flaccovio Editore, 1994.

Teaching methods

Lessons will be traditional with demonstrations on the blackboard and with exercises. Laboratory measurements of principle petrophysical quantities.

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview in order to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. The student will be invited to discuss the topics covered during the lessons and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable to illustrate typical aspects of groundwater engineering. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and/or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and/or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, Projector, Personal Computer.

Office hours

See the website of Villiam Bortolotti