5 ECTS credits
130 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4012142ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
THEORY
1. Fundamentals: groundwater and the hydrologic cycle; occurrence of underground water; basic properties of ground bearing layers: porosity, water content, groundwater potential, flux and velocity; Darcy's law; measurement techniques for groundwater potential and conductivity.
2. Natural groundwater flow: hydro-geological classification of ground layers; aquifer types; groundwater flow systems; unsaturated zone; saturated groundwater flow and storage in artesian and phreatic aquifers and in aquitards; the hydraulic groundwater flow approach and the flow net theory.
3. Groundwater flow equations and useful solutions: mass balance equation; general groundwater flow equation in three dimensions and boundary conditions; hydrostatics; unsaturated flow; saturated flow and water table boundary conditions; the horizontal flow approach, Dupuit equation.
4. Groundwater abstraction techniques: advantages of groundwater use; abstraction techniques: wells and galleries; principles of well flow: drawdown, cone of depression, radius of influence, maximum and specific capacity; interference between wells and aquifer boundaries; design of well fields; safe yield and groundwater management.
5. Pumping test analysis: practical aspects of pumping tests; analysis of pumping test in confined aquifers by the Theis and Jacob method; analysis of pumping test in semi-confined aquifers by the Hantush method; analysis of pumping test in phreatic aquifers by the Theis and Neuman method; analysis of pumping test in fractured rocks; analyses of recovery tests.
6. Groundwater modelling: basics of finite difference techniques; finite difference solution for aquifer flow; basics of finite element techniques; finite element solution for aquifer flow; introduction to well known groundwater flow models.
7. Groundwater chemistry: groundwater chemical constituents and main processes; oxygen status and organic matter decay in unsaturated and saturated groundwater layers; mineral dissolution and ion evolution cycle; groundwater isotopes; groundwater pollution sources and major pollutants; measurement techniques and interpretation and classification of water types; groundwater quality assessment and protection techniques.
PRACTICALS
1. Laboratory and fields measurement techniques: determination of porosity, water content, density, hydraulic conductivity and permeability of soil samples; field measurement techniques for determining hydraulic conductivity: interpretation of slug tests in auger holes and piezometers.
2. Flow net analyses using piezometric data and field reconnaissance for hydro-geological mapping and interpretation.
3. Analyses of groundwater flow and balance in confined and phreatic aquifers using piezometric readings and solutions of groundwater flow equations.
4. Analyses and interpretation of drawdown around pumping wells and influence of well interference, aquifer boundaries, and induced recharge by rivers.
5. Design of groundwater sustainable pumping wells and well fields.
6. Analyses of pumping test experiments: application of graphical techniques for the Theis and Jacob methods; graphical interpretation technique for a recovery test.
7. Interpretation of groundwater chemical data: representation in Stiff and Piper diagrams, classification of water types and identification of chemical evolution; estimates of pollution spreading.
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Course notes
The goal of this course is to give the student a fundamental understanding of the principles and practical applications of groundwater occurrence and behaviour, such that the student will be able to interpret observations in a correct way, calculate and predict groundwater amounts and movement, design groundwater abstraction installations, determine the groundwater quality and possible pollution, and in general be able to manage groundwater in a safe and sustainable way. The theoretical principles of groundwater hydrology are thought in class by means of classical lectures, divided into 7 chapters covering the major subjects of the course, with emphasis on the fundamental physical and mathematical foundations. The practical applications consist of 7 exercise sessions corresponding to the different chapters of the course. The exercise are intended to reflect real world problems that students might encounter in their later professional careers, and which will enable to reflect on the applicability, usefulness and reliability of the theoretical aspects. The assignment is intended to bring students into contact with worldwide groundwater problems, practical applications and scientific developments, and to increase their awareness of groundwater vulnerability and sustainability in relation to human impact.
The Master of Science in Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes
The Master of Science in Engineering can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).
The Master of Science in Engineering has consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects.
The Master of Science in Engineering has the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context.
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering can quantify the hydrologic processes, select appropriate hydrologic simulation tools and integrate them into hydrologic design procedures.
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Option Water Resources can develop, calibrate, validate and use numerical tools used for the simulation of water systems (river basins, groundwater bodies, sewers,…) in the framework of water management problems.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
SELF Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Examination method: The exam is open book. The students are tested on their insight in fundamental understanding of the theory and their ability to interpret and process information concerning groundwater occurrence and dynamics. The overall result is obtained as 70% on the exam and 30% on the assignments.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Geography: Standard track