Applicability of Analytical Models to Single-Well Permeability Tests in Deep and Hydraulically Tight Geological Formations
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14, Issue 11
Abstract
In situ permeability tests are crucial in hydraulic characterizations of geological formations for the disposal of radioactive nuclear waste. As has been done in most countries where geological disposal of high-level radioactive wastes has been discussed, single-well permeability tests are generally conducted in a preliminary stage of selecting a site where groundwater exists. To determine accurately hydraulic parameters, specifically hydraulic conductivity and specific storage, from single-well permeability tests, it is worth reexamining analytical solutions for modeling test data derived from deep and hydraulically tight (hydraulic conductivity is typically less than ) formations. In hydraulically tight formations, the radius of influence due to a single-well permeability test is not expected to be large, which should be taken into consideration when using the test results. The present paper revisits three major single-well permeability tests, i.e., the pressure pulse, constant head, and constant flow rate tests, and examines the features of natural formations incorporated into the analytical models, such as hydrogeological boundaries, property alterations around a borehole and anisotropy. The radius of influence in a hydraulically tight formation is examined for the three major single-well permeability tests by a numerical approach.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14 • Issue 11 • November 2009
Pages: 1200 - 1207
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 10, 2006
Accepted: Mar 17, 2009
Published online: Oct 15, 2009
Published in print: Nov 2009
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