Characteristics in Evaluating Stream Functions in Ground-Water Flow
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 1, Issue 1
Abstract
In three-dimensional ground-water flow, two families of stream functions χ and λ are required to define ground-water flow. Recently, two partial differential equations that can be solved for spatial distributions of stream functions were developed. Solution of these partial differential equations of stream functions in ground-water flow with sinks/sources is practically impossible. The objective of this paper is to present the curve-tracing method that lends itself well to evaluating fields of stream functions in ground-water flow with or without sinks/sources. In the curve-tracing method, a characteristic curve of ordinary differential equations is constructed from a model-grid node to a Dirichlet boundary with prescribed spatial distribution of stream functions. Values of stream functions at the intersection of the characteristic curve and the Dirichlet boundary are the values of stream functions at the model-grid node. A three-dimensional ground-water flow in the aquifer beneath the Borden Landfill in Ontario, Canada, is considered to demonstrate how the curve-tracing method can be applied to evaluate fields of stream functions.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 1 • Issue 1 • January 1996
Pages: 49 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1996
Published in print: Jan 1996
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