seepage velocity

seepage velocity

The seepage velocity module computes the vector groundwater flow field. It calculates seepage velocity or Darcy flux at each node based on the gradient of head data, hydraulic conductivity, and effective porosity for each geologic material.

The input data requirements are:

  1. A data component representing head (can have any name).
  2. A Geo_Layer data component.
  3. A Material_ID data component. If there is no Material_ID, each layer is treated as a separate material (Layer 0 becomes material -1, Layer 1 becomes material -2, etc.).

The module computes the true seepage velocity (Vx, Vy, Vz) at each node by taking the gradient of head (without z-exaggeration) and multiplying each component by the corresponding conductivity (Kx, Ky, Kz) divided by the effective porosity (Ne) for that material:

  • Darcy Flux = -(Hydraulic Conductivity) * (Head Gradient)
  • Seepage Velocity = (Darcy Flux) / (Effective Porosity)

This approach allows users to quickly investigate the impact on flow paths due to changes in the conductivity assigned to each layer or material, based on the measured or kriged head distribution.

Ports

DirectionNameTypeDescription
InputInput FieldFieldA field containing head data, Layer data, and Material values.
InputGeology LegendGeology LegendGeology legend input.
InputInput Z ScaleNumberThe factor for vertical scaling.
OutputOutput FieldFieldA field containing vector data representing x, y, and z components of seepage velocity.
OutputOutput Z ScaleNumberThe factor for vertical scaling.

Properties

PropertyTypeDescription
Allow RunBooleanThis toggle can prevent the module from running, allowing the user to make changes to large data sets without waiting for updates.
ExecuteButtonThis button will force the module to run even if the Allow Run toggle has been turned off, allowing the user to make a number of changes before updating.
Z ScaleDoubleThe Z Scale is the vertical exaggeration to apply to the display object.
Head Data ComponentChoiceAllows the user to select which data component to use for head values.
Velocity MethodChoice: Darcy Flux, Seepage VelocitySelects between Darcy Flux and Seepage Velocity calculation methods.
Velocity UnitsChoice: m/day, ft/day, gal/day/ft2, m/year, ft/yearAllows you to choose the units for the output velocity data component.

Material Presets

PropertyTypeDescription
Common Material SettingsChoicePre-set conductivity values that can be applied to the currently selected material.
Preserve Original NameBooleanIf selected, the preset name for the currently selected material will be the original name along with the name of the selected Common Material. If off, the output name will be just the Common Material name.
Applied Conductivity UnitsChoice: m/day, ft/day, gal/day/ft2, m/year, ft/yearAllows you to choose the units for specifying the conductivity in all three (x, y, z) directions for each geologic layer. Appropriate conversions will be made regardless of your head and coordinate units.
Apply To Current MaterialButtonTakes the currently set conductivity values and the Common Material name and applies it to the currently selected material.

Material Properties

PropertyTypeDescription
Current MaterialChoiceAllows the user to select a single material to edit.
Preset NameStringThe preset name for the currently selected material.
Conductivity UnitsChoice: m/day, ft/day, gal/day/ft2, m/year, ft/yearAllows you to choose the units for specifying the conductivity in all three (x, y, z) directions for each geologic layer. Appropriate conversions will be made regardless of your head and coordinate units.
Conductivity In X Log SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the X conductivity in log10 space.
Conductivity In X Linear SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the X conductivity in linear space.
Conductivity In Y Log SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the Y conductivity in log10 space.
Conductivity In Y Linear SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the Y conductivity in linear space.
Conductivity In Z Log SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the Z conductivity in log10 space.
Conductivity In Z Linear SpaceDoubleAllows the user to set the Z conductivity in linear space.
Effective PorosityDoubleAllows the user to set the porosity of the current material.