Measuring Vertical Profiles of Hydraulic Conductivity with In Situ Direct-Push Methods
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 126, Issue 8
Abstract
U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) staff developed a field procedure to measure hydraulic conductivity using a direct-push system to obtain vertical profiles of hydraulic conductivity. Vertical profiles were obtained using an in situ field device—composed of a Geoprobe direct-push drive, threaded steel pipes with an open-slotted section, and a drive point at the bottom—PVC tubing, and a peristaltic pump. Simple mathematical formulas were derived for estimating hydraulic conductivity from the field measurements. The field procedure and mathematical formulas were applied in an unconfined sand aquifer. A vertical profile of hydraulic conductivity at a measurement location was plotted with the value obtained from a conventional slug test from a nearby monitoring well. The hydraulic conductivity in the middle of the aquifer was found to be an order of magnitude higher than that at the water table depth. The conductivity from the slug test at the monitoring well was half of the maximum value in the profile. The in situ direct-push method provided valuable information on site characterization in a short time, with minimal disturbance and without installing additional wells.
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References
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Bouwer, H., and Rice, R. C. (1976). “A slug test for determining hydraulic conductivity of unconfined aquifers with completely or partially penetrating wells.” Water Resour. Res., 12(3), 423–428.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 126 • Issue 8 • August 2000
Pages: 775 - 777
History
Received: Jul 8, 1998
Published online: Aug 1, 2000
Published in print: Aug 2000
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