Propagation of Water Pressure Fluctuations in Aquifers

Abstract

This paper deals with the propagation of water pressure fluctuations inaquifers, as a coupled stress-flow problem. A plane-strain formulation in terms of the method of finite elements is made, with due allowance for the compressibility of pore fluid. Closed-form solutions under simplified situations are given also to focus the importance of the drainage condition at the landward end of an aquifer. The predicted performances using those analytical means are shown to compare favourably with what were measured in the laboratory for a sandy aquifer subject to water pressure oscillations from 1.5 s to 205 s.