Numerical modeling of vertical wells in unsteady groundwater flow conditions

This article presents the results of numerical calculations of drainage of a large engineering construction – “Afrykarium” in Wrocław ZOO, Poland, based on a 2D numerical model for seepage flow. In the numerical simulations the real (natural) hydrogeological conditions, water-courses, surface reservoirs and time dependent seepage flow (during drainage) are taken into account. The aim of numerical calculations was to determine quantities (draining time, number of wells, spacing and arrangement of wells, flows for every well, and hydraulic head map) necessary to design an effective drainage system of construction site. The mathematical model adopted to illustrate and predict groundwater depression during pumping was the Boussinesq equation for unsteady 2D flow.