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Principle Investigators:
James Neil Couch, Geosciences
Duane Hampton, Geosciences
Summary of the Problem:
In 1976, Herman Bouwer and Richard Rice developed equations for analyzing slug test data simply known as the Bouwer and Rice method. This method is widely used in the professional community today. However, what is not widely known is that the equations have an aspect that simply does not make sense. This aspect is the parameter known as the effective radius, Re. This is the radius at which water level changes in an aquifer are measurable during a slug test. There are two thoughts that pertain to the effective radius. The first is that as the length of the well screen increases so does the effective radius. The second, less plausible thought is that in spite of alterations in the initial water-level changes, in the well being tested, the effective radius does not change. This is a puzzling concept and warrants further investigation.
Merits of the Problem in Light of Anticipated Results:
The Bouwer and Rice (1976) method is a widely used and accepted method of analyzing slug test data to interpret aquifer parameters. As this is such a widely used method, it is very important that every aspect of the equations used be fully understood and valid.
Description of the Project:
The plan is to conduct several slug tests in a man-made aquifer constructed by former Western Michigan University student Darin Meyer. The aquifer was constructed using homogeneous sands and contains several PVC pipe wells varying in length and screen intervals. These wells are at specific radial distances around a centrally located test well. The slug tests will be conducted using different slug sizes to ascertain the validity of the Re value based on the Bouwer and Rice (1976) method. Instruments will be used to record changes in water levels in the surrounding wells.
Tentative Schedule (Dates):Research will begin May 1, 2004
Research will be completed December 1, 2005
