No description available.

The proportionality constant in Darcy's Law is called hydraulic conductivity (K), and it is the most fundamental parameter to groundwater studies. There are a number of in situ and laboratory techniques employed to determine K, one of which is falling head permeameter (FHP). In FHP, determining K involves two steps: measuring hydraulic head change over time and calculating the K value. In the past, calculating K was done using Darcy's Law, which states linear correlation between the flux and the hydraulic gradient, but this is only true when the inertial forces are negligible at small velocities. At higher velocities, flow becomes unsteady because of the change over time in flow magnitude and hydraulic gradient, which requires mass conservation law to be combined with Darcy’s Law and eventually leads to Laplace’s equation for an incompressible matrix. If the media is compressible, specific storativity should be taken into account, as well. In this study, we investigated the transiency of flow in FHP tests by analyzing the effect of specific storativity on K calculations. We have developed a new semi- analytical solution for transient flow in FHP in Laplace domain and used the de Hoog algorithm to attain the inverse Laplace transform of this solution to yield solutions in time domain. We have also provided some analysis and a comparison of steady-state solution along with using experimental data and the data from the literature to analyze the solution. Upon these, we concluded that the transient flow in falling-head tests has minimal effect in general, although using the transient solution provided may improve the accuracy without a major effect.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Increasing urbanization is often accompanied by problematic changes in watershed hydrology. Decreasing surface permeability can lead to increased overland flow volumes, which may spread surficial contaminants and increase the strain on municipal stormwater infrastructure. This study examines a mixed-use property in the Proctor Creek watershed in Atlanta, Georgia, to better understand how land-management practices influence soil overland flow potential. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) measurements were collected from soils 1) subjected to compaction, 2) in urban agricultural use, and 3) under common lawn maintenance. Mean values were 9.1E-7 cm/s, 2.2E-4 cm/s, and 9.0E-6 cm/s respectively. Measurements were collected in-situ with the use of the Aardvark constant-head permeameter. Statistical analyses indicated a substantial difference in Kfs based on land-management practices and that urban farming can increase soil Kfs and limit overland flow. Additional analysis revealed no significant difference in grain-size distributions suggesting land-management practices controlled Kfs, not soil texture.

SILVA, Francisca Gleiciane da. Condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado e fluxo preferencial em amostras confinadas de terra. 2015. 64 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em agronomia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2015. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-08-30T20:09:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_fgsilva.pdf: 1737179 bytes, checksum: 358ee3fc0ff3e673a09ab8f32131e84a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-08-31T23:41:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_fgsilva.pdf: 1737179 bytes, checksum: 358ee3fc0ff3e673a09ab8f32131e84a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T23:41:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_fgsilva.pdf: 1737179 bytes, checksum: 358ee3fc0ff3e673a09ab8f32131e84a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Understanding the processes related to the movement of water in soil profile is relevant to the management of soil and water resources. Hydraulic conductivity is an important soil property that affects this movement, but its determination in laboratory conditions requires that samples are contained in cylinders which can cause the presence of preferential flow through the soil wall interface. So, the goal of this work was to test the effect of increasing perimeter and height of the sample on saturated hydraulic conductivity in confined soil samples of different textures. Soil samples were collected and the following physical analyzes were performed: particle density, particle-size, water dispersed clay, soil porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ko). Experimental data were analyzed in a randomized design for all variables, adopting a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement (four diameters x five heights of the cylinders), with six replications. The Shapiro- Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the data, F test for analysis of variance, and Tukey´s test for comparison of means (p<0.05). Classical descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis techniques were also employed. It was conclude that: a) the results support the hypothesis that the increase of the perimeter causes an increase of the saturated hydraulic conductivity; b) for the same increase of preferential flow area, the effect on the saturated hydraulic conductivity was higher for clay soil; c) the hypothesis that increased water path causes a change in the Ko values was rejected; d) for both soil classes increased water path did not affect the values of the saturated hydraulicconductivity. / A compreensão dos processos relacionados ao movimento da água no perfil do solo é relevante para o manejo do solo e dos recursos hídricos. A condutividade hidráulica é um importante atributo do solo que interfere nesse movimento, sendo que sua determinação na condição de laboratório requer que as amostras estejam confinadas em cilindros, o que pode causar a presença de fluxo preferencial pela interface solo/parede do cilindro. Objetivou-se nesse trabalho testar o efeito do aumento do perímetro e da altura da amostra sobre a condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado em amostras confinadas de terra de diferentes texturas. Foram coletadas amostras de terra para realização das análises físicas, a saber: densidade de partículas, granulometria, argila dispersa em água, porosidade do solo e condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado (Ko). Os dados experimentais foram analisados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado para todas as variáveis, adotandose o esquema fatorial 4 x 5 (quatro diâmetros e cinco alturas dos cilindros), com seis repetições. Foram aplicados os testes de Shapiro-Wilk para verificar a normalidade dos dados, o F para análise de variância e o de Tukey para a comparação da médias (todos a 5% de probabilidade). Também foi empregada a estatística descritiva clássica para algumas variáveis e técnicas multivariadas de análises. Conclui-se que a) aceita-se a hipótese de que o aumento do perímetro da amostra provoca aumento nos valores de condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado; b) para o mesmo aumento de área de fluxo preferencial, o efeito sobre a condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado para o solo argiloso foi maior; c) a hipótese de que o aumento do percurso da água causa alteração nos valores de Ko foi refutada; d) para ambas as classes de solos o aumento do percurso da água não foi determinante nos valores obtidos para condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Understanding the processes related to the movement of water in soil profile is relevant to the management of soil and water resources. Hydraulic conductivity is an important soil property that affects this movement, but its determination in laboratory conditions requires that samples are contained in cylinders which can cause the presence of preferential flow through the soil wall interface. So, the goal of this work was to test the effect of increasing perimeter and height of the sample on saturated hydraulic conductivity in confined soil samples of different textures. Soil samples were collected and the following physical analyzes were performed: particle density, particle-size, water dispersed clay, soil porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ko). Experimental data were analyzed in a randomized design for all variables, adopting a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement (four diameters x five heights of the cylinders), with six replications. The Shapiro- Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the data, F test for analysis of variance, and TukeyÂs test for comparison of means (p<0.05). Classical descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis techniques were also employed. It was conclude that: a) the results support the hypothesis that the increase of the perimeter causes an increase of the saturated hydraulic conductivity; b) for the same increase of preferential flow area, the effect on the saturated hydraulic conductivity was higher for clay soil; c) the hypothesis that increased water path causes a change in the Ko values was rejected; d) for both soil classes increased water path did not affect the values of the saturated hydraulicconductivity. / A compreensÃo dos processos relacionados ao movimento da Ãgua no perfil do solo à relevante para o manejo do solo e dos recursos hÃdricos. A condutividade hidrÃulica à um importante atributo do solo que interfere nesse movimento, sendo que sua determinaÃÃo na condiÃÃo de laboratÃrio requer que as amostras estejam confinadas em cilindros, o que pode causar a presenÃa de fluxo preferencial pela interface solo/parede do cilindro. Objetivou-se nesse trabalho testar o efeito do aumento do perÃmetro e da altura da amostra sobre a condutividade hidrÃulica do solo saturado em amostras confinadas de terra de diferentes texturas. Foram coletadas amostras de terra para realizaÃÃo das anÃlises fÃsicas, a saber: densidade de partÃculas, granulometria, argila dispersa em Ãgua, porosidade do solo e condutividade hidrÃulica do solo saturado (Ko). Os dados experimentais foram analisados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado para todas as variÃveis, adotandose o esquema fatorial 4 x 5 (quatro diÃmetros e cinco alturas dos cilindros), com seis repetiÃÃes. Foram aplicados os testes de Shapiro-Wilk para verificar a normalidade dos dados, o F para anÃlise de variÃncia e o de Tukey para a comparaÃÃo da mÃdias (todos a 5% de probabilidade). TambÃm foi empregada a estatÃstica descritiva clÃssica para algumas variÃveis e tÃcnicas multivariadas de anÃlises. Conclui-se que a) aceita-se a hipÃtese de que o aumento do perÃmetro da amostra provoca aumento nos valores de condutividade hidrÃulica do solo saturado; b) para o mesmo aumento de Ãrea de fluxo preferencial, o efeito sobre a condutividade hidrÃulica do solo saturado para o solo argiloso foi maior; c) a hipÃtese de que o aumento do percurso da Ãgua causa alteraÃÃo nos valores de Ko foi refutada; d) para ambas as classes de solos o aumento do percurso da Ãgua nÃo foi determinante nos valores obtidos para condutividade hidrÃulica do solo saturado.

A new experimental approach to determine the hydraulic characteristics of unsaturated soils using a centrifuge permeameter was developed in this study. Specifically, the centrifuge permeameter is used to determine the water retention curve (WRC), which quantifies the energy required to retain water in the soil pores during wetting and drying, and the hydraulic conductivity function (K-function), which quantifies the soil's change in impedance to water flow as it becomes unsaturated. An aim of this study is the promotion of using experimentally-derived hydraulic characteristics in engineering practice. Accordingly, the goals behind development of the centrifuge permeameter were a reasonable testing time, measurement of all variables relevant to water flow in unsaturated soils, and a methodology allowing straightforward interpretation of experimental data to determine the hydraulic characteristics. Development of the centrifuge permeameter was guided by lessons learned from an evaluation of previous characterization approaches. Specifically, issues such as the use of steady-state or transient water flow, boundary condition effects, and the use of instrumentation were evaluated in conventional tests to better develop the centrifuge permeameter. Steady-state infiltration of water through a soil specimen instrumented with tensiometers to measure matric suction and time domain reflectometry to infer moisture content was found to be the most reliable means of characterization. Steady-state water flow permits straightforward, repeatable interpretation of instrumentation results, boundary conditions, and flow data to determine the hydraulic characteristics. Centrifugation is employed to decrease the time required to reach steady-state water flow through a soil specimen by imposing a centripetal acceleration on the infiltrating water. The water infiltration rate and centripetal acceleration can be independently controlled in the centrifuge permeameter in order to reach different target hydraulic conductivity values. Continuous, in-flight measurement of the variables relevant to hydraulic characterization is possible through an on-board data acquisition system. The experimental component of this study is focused on validation of the centrifuge permeameter and verification of the hydraulic characteristics obtained using this approach. Simultaneous determination of the WRC and K-function for a clay of low plasticity was found to be possible in less than a week using the centrifuge permeameter, whereas several months were required in conventional tests. Consistent measurements of hydraulic conductivity were obtained using this approach, and little hysteresis was observed in the hydraulic characteristics. Additional experiments were performed to evaluate the validity of different assumptions required to interpret the experimental data and different issues in centrifuge testing. Two major assumptions required in previous centrifuge permeameter approaches were evaluated using the instrumentation available in the centrifuge permeameter. During steady-state water flow in the centrifuge, the suction and moisture content were found to be relatively uniform along the longitudinal axis of the permeameter, and the outflow boundary was found to have a negligible influence on the suction profile. Settlement under the increased body forces in the centrifuge were found to be negligible for the soil investigated in this study. The hydraulic characteristics were found to be sensitive to the calibration of the transducers and sensors used to infer the water pressure and moisture content during centrifugation. Overall, the expeditious, direct determination of the hydraulic characteristics of unsaturated soils was successfully achieved using centrifuge technology. Accordingly, the centrifuge permeameter approach helps promote the use hydraulic characteristics of unsaturated soils in geotechnical engineering design.

A new ‘transparent soil permeameter’ has been developed to study the mechanisms occurring during internal erosion in filter materials for embankment dams. Internal erosion or suffusion is the process where fine particles are removed from a matrix of coarse grains by seepage of water, and which ultimately leads to instabilities within the soil. The laboratory-based experiments in this thesis utilises a novel approach where up-scaled glass particles are used in place of soil particles, and optically matched oil is used in place of water. Rhodamine dye in the oil allows the fluid to fluoresce brightly when a sheet of laser light is shone through the sample, while the glass particles appear as dark shadows within the plane of the laser sheet. This technique is known as Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and enables a two-dimensional "slice" or plane of particles and fluid to be viewed inside the permeameter, away from the permeameter walls. During a test, fluid is passed through the solid matrix in upward flow, with the flow rate (therefore hydraulic gradient) being increased in stages until internal erosion or bulk movement of the entire assembly develops and progresses. A high speed camera captures images of the two-dimensional plane over the duration of a test, which are then analysed using Image Pro and ImageJ processing software. Until now, the fundamental mechanisms that lead to internal erosion have been rather speculative, as there has been no way to physically observe the processes behind the initiation and continued movement of particles. This visualisation experiment allows internal erosion mechanisms to be studied away from permeameter walls where boundary effects do not occur. The technique was validated by confirming Darcy’s (1856) law of laminar flow, and Terzaghi’s (1925) theoretical critical hydraulic gradient for an upward flow through materials with no top stress. Results of replicated materials tested by Skempton and Brogan (1994) and Fannin and Moffat (2006) also confirm this methodology to be valid by way of material behaviour, permeability and the alpha factor (Skempton & Brogan 1994). An assessment to predict the stability of soils was carried out using the Kenney and Lau (1985), Kezdi (1979), Burenkova (1993), Wan and Fell (2008) and Istomina (1957) approaches, with the Kenny and Lau and Kezdi methods proving to be the most robust across the particle size distributions tested. In the tests, unstable materials showed a migration of fine grains under hydraulic gradients as low as ic = 0.25, while stable materials showed little movement of particles, and eventually failed by heave. Image processing using Image Pro and ImageJ were successful in producing quantitative results, however with further enhancements to the test equipment and methodology, these could be improved upon. The testing technique developed in this thesis has proven to be successful in the study of internal erosion of filter materials. The technique proves that optically matched glass and oil can behave similarly to soil and water materials as used in previous laboratory testing, and that the PLIF technique and image capturing has merit in understanding the mechanisms occurring during internal erosion processes.

No description available.

<p>The Bredasdorp Basin is one of the largest hydrocarbon producing blocks within Southern Africa. The E-M field is situated approximate 50 km west from the FA platform and was brought into commission due to the potential hydrocarbons it may hold. If this field is brought up to full producing capability it will extend the lifespan of the refining station in Mosselbay, situated on the south coast of South Africa, by approximately 8 to 10 years. An unexpected pressure drop within the E-M field caused the suite not to perform optimally and thus further analysis was imminent to assess and alleviate the predicament. The first step within the project was to determine what might have cause the pressure drop and thus we had to go back to cores drilled by Soekor now known as Petroleum South Africa, in the early 1980&rsquo / s.</p> <p><br> <br /> </br>Analyses of the cores exposed a high presence of granulation seams. The granulation seams were mainly subjected within sand units within the cores. This was caused by rolling of sand grains over one another rearranging themselves due to pressure exerted through compaction and faulting, creating seal like fractures within the sand. These fractures caused these sand units to compartmentalize and prohibit flow from one on block to the next. With advance inquiry it was discovered that there was a shale unit situated within the reservoir dividing the reservoir into two main compartments. At this point it was determined to use Petrel which is windows based software for 3D visualization with a user interface based on the Windows Microsoft standards. This is easy as well as user friendly software thus the choice to go with it. The software uses shared earth modeling tool bringing about reservoir disciplines trough common data modelling. This is one of the best modelling applications in the available and it was for this reason that it was chosen to apply within the given aspects of the project A lack of data was available to model the granulation seams but with the data acquired during the core analyses it was possible to model the shale unit and factor in the influences of the granulation seams to asses the extent of compartmentalization. The core revealed a thick shale layer dividing the reservoir within two sections which was not previously noted. This shale layer act as a buffer/barrier restricting flow from the bottom to the top halve of the reservoir. This layer is thickest at the crest of the 10km&sup2 / domal closure and thins toward the confines of the E-M suite. Small incisions, visible within the 3 dimensional models could serve as a guide for possible re-entry points for future drilling. These incisions which were formed through Lowstand and Highstand systems tracts with the rise and fall of the sea level. The Bredasdorp Basin consists mainly of tilting half graben structures that formed through rifting with the break-up of Gondwanaland. The model also revealed that these faults segregate the reservoir further creating bigger compartments. The reservoir is highly compartmentalized which will explain the pressure loss within the E-M suite. The production well was drilled within one of these compartments and when the confining pressure was relieved the pressure dropped and the production decrease. As recommendation, additional wells are required to appraise the E-M structure and determine to what extent the granulation seems has affected fluid flow as well as the degree of sedimentation that could impede fluid flow. There are areas still containing untapped resources thus the recommendation for extra wells.</p>