Abstract
A new type of infinite element for groundwater analysis which is capable of including the infinitely distanced constant head boundary conditions from the area of disturbance (e.g. pumping) is proposed by employing a series function type of mapping functions derived based on the asymptotic far field behavior of an aquifer for typical boundary value problems. The proposed infinite element can be classified as a type of FESC (Finite Element with Singular Contraction) by Rajapakse and Karasudhi (1985). A figure to indicate the required size of the near field to obtain accurate drawdown at specified points is also proposed based on some calculations. The infinite element is also successfully applied to a real pumping test problem conducted to examine the performance of a recently developed continuous sheet cut-off wall, which shows excellent agreement with the observation.
