Seepage flow in unconfined aquifers

Abstract

The paper concerns one- and two-dimensional models of steady seepage flow in unconfined aquifers and the relationship between them. The first part gives a new proof of Charnyi's result that one- and two-dimensional theory yield the same value for the flow rate in a horizontal aquifer or porous bed between vertical ends and shows the extent to which it can be generalized to non-uniform or anisotropic media. The second part solves the highly two-dimensional problem of flow from a line source (line of springs) in an otherwise impermeable, sloping stratum and compares the result with the predictions of a one-dimensional Dupuit–Pavlovsky approach. Confirmatory experiments using the Hele Shaw analogue of seepage flow are also reported.