Publication Date
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
David F. Dominic (Committee Member), Allen G. Hunt (Advisor), Robert W. Ritzi (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
I tested three schemes for "upscaling" the hydraulic conductivity (K) on aquifers with bimodal K distributions. This bimodality (e.g., sand and mud deposits) was intended to capture typical geological conditions. Results were tested with a numerical model. Upscaling techniques used were inspired by schemes interpolating between arithmetic and harmonic means, but are based on percolation theory: 1) Critical path analysis (CPA), 2) Percolation path analysis (PPA, or standard scaling), and a novel scaling approach. Models chosen were both spatially correlated and uncorrelated, with important differences in critical percolation probabilities, Pc. Volume fractions Ps and 1-Ps (with Ps = sand volume fraction) were assigned to each mode of the distribution of K. I found that application of the requirement for CPA to interpolate smoothly between the parallel and series configurations makes it satisfactory only for Ps>Pc. PPA generally underestimates K. The novel scaling technique has the widest generality.
Page Count
87
Department or Program
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2008
Copyright
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
