HYDROLOGY (CE361)

Presentation No. 8 (2 hr)

WELL HYDRAULICS - 1
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 After completion of this class discussion the students
will be able to:
 Explain Dupuit’s Theory and application of Darcy law for
determination of yield of a well from:
 An Unconfined Aquifer
 A Confined aquifer
and solve the relevant examples.
 Solve the problems regarding yield of a well from
unconfined/confined aquifer
 Partially Penetrating Artesian Wells
 Spherical Flow Towards a Well
 Combined Artesian Gravity Well

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 Yield of a well from an Unconfined Aquifer
When water is pumped heavily from a gravity well so that sufficient
drawdown occurs within the well and in the neighbor hood; forming an
inverted cone of depression all around the well, as shown in figure.

The base of this cone is a circle of radius R, known as the circle of

influence. Inclined side is known as the drawdown curve.

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Let two observation wells are driven within the circle of influence of the
main pumped well, at radial distances of r1 and r2 from the main well.
Let d be the depth of the well or the aquifer, below the static water table.

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Let the main well be pumped at a sufficient rate, so as to cause heavy
drawdown.

Pumping is so adjusted that the equilibrium conditions are reached. In

other words, the rate of pumping becomes equal to the rate of yield, and
thus causing the water level to attain a constant value.

Since the formula involves the use of equilibrium conditions, it is known as

the equilibrium formula.

Let s1 and s2 be the drawdowns in the two corresponding observation

wells, at this equilibrium stage.

From Darcy's law, the flow through any concentric cylindrical section of the
water bearing material is given as
Q=KIA where I = Hydraulic gradient

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Using cylindrical co-ordinates, we take r as the radius of any cylinder, and h
as the height of the cone of depression at a distance r from the main well.
Assuming that the inclination of the water surface is small, so that the tangent
can be used in place of sine for the hydraulic gradient in Darcy's law, we have

Also assuming that the water flows through the full height of the aquifer and
flow is radial and horizontal (i.e. velocity distribution is assumed to be uniform
as shown in the following figure).

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Area of flow, A= 2πrh

where
Q = Constant when steady conditions have reached.
K = Permeability of soil, which is assumed to be constant at all places and at
all times i.e. assuming the soil to be homogeneous and isotropic.

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August 23, 2021 8- WELL HYDRAULICS - 1 9
Above formula can be further simplified, as follows:

and if the amount of drawdown is small compared to the saturated

thickness of the water bearing material, then h2 and h1 are nearly equal
and each is approximately equal to this saturated thickness, say d.

Putting this value in the above equation for Q, we get

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Putting T = K d, where T = coefficient of transmissibility, we have

Other forms of the equation may be:

ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ𝑤
2
𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤

or 𝑠𝑤
𝐿+
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝑠𝑤 2
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤

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 ℎ22 − ℎ12
𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾
ln 𝑟2 Τ𝑟1

𝑠𝑤
𝐿+
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ𝑤
2
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝑠𝑤 2
𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾 ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤

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Assumptions:
1. The aquifer is homogeneous, isotropic and of infinite areal
extent, so that its coefficient of transmissibility or permeability is
constant everywhere.
2. The well has been sunk through the full depth of the aquifer
and it receives water from the entire thickness of the aquifer.
3. Pumping has continued for a sufficient time at a uniform rate,
so that the equilibrium stage or steady flow conditions have
reached.
4. Flow lines are radial and horizontal, and flow is laminar.
5. The inclination of the water surface is small so that its tangent
can be used in place of sine for the hydraulic gradient in Darcy's
equation.

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Example 1
A tube well penetrates fully an unconfined aquifer. Calculate the discharge
from the tube well under the following conditions:
Given Data:
Diameter of the well = 30 cm; Radius of the well, rw = 15 cm = 0.15 m
Drawdown, sw = 2 m ;
Effective length of the strainer under the drawdown, L = 10.0 m;
Radius of zero drawdown = R = ro = 300 m;
Coefficient of permeability of the aquifer, K = 0.05 cm/sec = 0.0005 m/sec;
Required: Discharge or Yield = Q =? 𝑠
𝐿 + 2𝑤
Solution: applying the equation, 𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝑠𝑤
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

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 Example 2
In order to determine the field permeability of a free aquifer, pumping test was performed and
following observations were made:
Diameter of well = 20 cm = 0.2 m Solution:
Discharge from the well, Q = 240 m3/hr Selecting well face and observation
R.L. of original water surface before pumping = 240.5 m well as section 1 and 2, respectively:
R.L. of water in the well at constant pumping = 235.6 m r1 = 0.1 m; r2 = 50 m
R.L. of the impervious layer = 210 m h1 = 235.6 – 210 = 25.6 m
R.L. of water in observation well = 239.8 m h2 = 239.8 – 201 = 29.5 m
Radial distance of observation well (OW) from the tube well = 50 m
Calculate

(i) Coefficient of permeability, K.

Applying the equation

k = 2.045 m/hr

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(ii) The error in K if the observations are not made in observation well and radius of
influence is taken to be 300 m.
Selecting well face and the point of zero drawdown as section 1 and 2, respectively, and
2 2 2 2
applying ′ ℎ𝑜 −ℎ𝑤 ′ 30.6 −25.6
𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾 or 240=𝜋𝐾
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤 ln 300Τ0.1
K ’ = 2.23 m/hr,
2.23 − 2.045
% error = × 100 = 9.05%
2.045

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(iii) Actual radius of influence based on the observations of observation well.
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ𝑜𝑤
2
Substituting k = 2.045 in the Eq. 𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑜𝑤

R = 153.1 m

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Example 3
A gravity well has a diameter of 60
cm. Depth of water in the well is 40 m
before start of pumping. During
pumping at the rate of 2000 lit/min,
the drawdown in a well 10 m away is
4 m and in another well 20 m away is
2 m. Determine:
(a) Radius of zero drawdown
Firstly, Assign subscript 1 and 2 to
sections at r1 and ro and compute Q1;
and then assign subscript 1 and 2 to
sections at r2 and ro and compute Q2
using the relationship
2
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ1 or 2
𝑄1 or 2 = 𝜋𝐾
ln 𝑟𝑜 Τ𝑟1 or 2
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ12 ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ22
𝑟𝑜 = 𝑟
Then equate expressions for both 𝑙𝑛 ൗ𝑟1 𝑙𝑛 𝑜ൗ𝑟2
cases and solve to get, ro = 140.82 m
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b) Coefficient of permeability
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ12
Get value of k using 𝑄1 = 𝜋𝐾 K = 0.0005 m/min
ln 𝑟𝑜 Τ𝑟1

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c) Drawdown in the well
ℎ𝑜2 − ℎ𝑤
2

Using 𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾 find hw, hw = 29.14 m

ln 𝑟𝑜 Τ𝑟𝑤

and thus determine sw, sw = 10.86 m

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Yield of a Well from a Confined Aquifer
The conditions of a confined aquifer case are shown in the following figure.

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In a confined aquifer, the flow is actually radial and horizontal therefore, it has not to be
assumed as such, as it was in the unconfined case. Rest of the assumptions remain the same,
as in case of unconfined aquifer, and hold good in this case also.

Because water is drawn from the cylinder of radius r and Height = H,

where H = Thickness of the confined aquifer.

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Integrating between the limits of r1 and r2 we get

ℎ2 − ℎ1
or 𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻 or
ln 𝑟2 Τ𝑟1

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 ℎ2 −ℎ1
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻 (1)
ln 𝑟2 Τ𝑟1

where s1 - s2 is the difference of

water levels between the two
observation wells after the steady
conditions have reached.
Eq.(1) may be written as
ℎ𝑜 − ℎ𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤
𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝑇
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

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Assumptions
1. Aquifer is homogeneous.
2. The well penetrates to the full thickness of aquifer.
3. Permeability is uniform.
4. Piezometric surface/ confining layers is/are horizontal and thus, the
base of the cone is a circle.
5. Equilibrium conditions have fully reached.

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Example 4
A tube well of 30 cm diameter penetrates fully in an artesian aquifer.
The strainer length is 15 m. Calculate the yield from the well under a
drawdown of 3 m. Aquifer consists of sand with coefficient of
permeability 50 m/day. Assume radius of drawdown as 150 m.
Data: dw = 30 cm = 0.3 m, rw = 0.15 m; H = 15 m; sw = 3 m
K = 50 m/day; R = 150 m; Q=?
Solution:
Taking the well face and the point of zero drawdown as section 1 and 2,
respectively, and substituting the values in the equation
𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

we get, Q = 2046.5 m3/day

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Example 5
Design a tube well for the following data:
Yield required = 0.08 cumec;
Thickness of confined aquifer = 30 m;
Radius of circle of influence = 300 m;
Permeability coefficient = 60 m/day;
Drawdown = 5 m
𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤
rw = 0.084 m

Hence, tube well of 0.168 m or 170 mm diameter be provided

to get the discharge of 0.08 m/day from this well/aquifer.

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Example 6
An artesian tube well has a diameter of 20 cm. The thickness of aquifer is 30 m
and its permeability is 36 m/day. Find its yield under a drawdown of 4 m at the
well face. Use radius of influence as recommended by Sichardt.

According to Sichardt, 𝑅 = 3000 ⋅ 𝑠 𝑘 R = 245 m

[R and s are in meters, k in m/sec]

𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤 = 0.031 m3/sec = 3479 m3/day

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Example 7
A well penetrates fully in a 10 m thick water bearing stratum having
coefficient of permeability of 0.005 m/sec. The well radius is 10 cm and
to be worked under a drawdown of 4 m at the well face. Calculate the
discharge from the well. What will be the percentage increase in
discharge if the radius of the well is doubled? Take R = 300 m in each
case.
Solution:
𝑠𝑤
Calculate the discharge from the well as, 𝑄1 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤
Let, discharge is Q2 when tube well radius is doubled, then
𝑠𝑤
𝑄2 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻
ln 𝑅Τ2𝑟𝑤
𝑄2 − 𝑄1
Finally, % increase in discharge = × 100
𝑄1

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Partially Penetrating Artesian Wells
For a fully penetrating Artesian Aquifer,
we have the relationship
2𝜋𝑘𝑏 ℎ𝑜 − ℎ
𝑄=
ln 𝑟𝑜 Τ𝑟𝑤

But the discharge for a partially

penetrating artesian well is given as
2𝜋𝑘𝑏 ℎ𝑜 − ℎ
𝑄𝑝 = .𝐺
ln 𝑟𝑜 Τ𝑟𝑤

or 𝑄𝑝 = Q .G

where 𝑏1 𝑟𝑤 𝜋𝑏1
𝐺= 1+7 . cos
𝑏 2𝑏1 2𝑏

G = Correction factor for partial penetration and is estimated by

Konzy formula.
Cos is in radians.

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Example
A well penetrates 7m in a 10 m thick water bearing stratum having
coefficient of permeability of 0.005 m/sec. The well radius is 10 cm and to
be worked under a drawdown of 4 m at the well face. Calculate the
discharge from the well. Take R = 300 m.
Solution:
b = 10 m; b1 = 7m; K = 0.005 m/sec; rw = 10 cm = 0.1 m; sw = 4 m;
R = 300 m; Qp = ?
Calculate the discharge from the well as,
𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻 = 0.157 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

𝑏1 𝑟𝑤 𝜋𝑏1
𝐺= 1+7 . cos = 0.89
𝑏 2𝑏1 2𝑏

Qp = Q . G = 0.157 x 0.89 = 0.139 m/sec

𝑄 − 𝑄𝑝
% decrease in discharge = × 100 = 11.4%
𝑄

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Spherical Flow Towards a Well
For a fully penetrating artesian well, we
have the relationship
2𝜋𝑘𝑏 𝐻 − ℎ
𝑄=
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

But when a well just touches the top

surface of an artesian aquifer, the
discharge can be computed using the
formula,
𝑄𝑠 = 2𝜋𝑘𝑟𝑤 𝐻 − ℎ

𝑄𝑠 2𝜋𝑘𝑟𝑤 𝐻 − ℎ
Now, =
𝑄 2𝜋𝑏𝑘 𝐻 − ℎ
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤
𝑄𝑠 𝑟𝑤
∴ = ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤
𝑄 𝑏

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Example
A well just touches the top of a 10 m thick water bearing stratum having
coefficient of permeability of 0.005 m/sec. The well radius is 10 cm and
to be worked under a drawdown of 4 m at the well face. Calculate the
discharge from the well.
Solution:
b = 10 m; K = 0.005 m/sec; rw = 10 cm = 0.1 m; sw = 4 m;
Qs = ?
Calculate the discharge from the well as, 𝑄𝑠 = 2𝜋𝑘𝑟𝑤 𝐻 − ℎ
𝑄𝑠 = 2𝜋𝑘𝑟𝑤 sw
3
Qs = 0.01257 m /sec
Discharge, if the well is fully penetrating into aquifer
𝑠𝑤
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝐻 = 0.157 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤
𝑄 − 𝑄𝑠
% decrease in discharge = × 100 = 92%
𝑄

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Combined Artesian Gravity Well
 When water level within an artesian well is lowered below top
of aquifer, the well is named as Combined Artesian Gravity
Well.
 Flow pattern close to the well is similar to the gravity aquifer.
 At farther distance flow pattern is similar to that of an
artesian aquifer.
 Discharge formula for such a well was developed by Muskat,
as given below
𝜋𝑘 2𝑏𝐻 − 𝑏 2 − ℎ2
𝑄=
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤

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Example
A well penetrates fully in a 10 m thick water bearing stratum having
coefficient of permeability of 0.005 m/sec. The well radius is 10 cm and
to be worked under a drawdown of 4 m at the well face. Calculate the
discharge from the well. Take R = 300 m. Initial piezometric surface is at
20 m above the aquifer bed.
Solution:
b = 10 m; H = 20 m; K = 0.005 m/sec; rw = 10 cm = 0.1 m; sw = 4 m;
R = 300 m; Q = ?
Calculate the discharge from the well as,
𝜋𝑘 2𝑏𝐻−𝑏2 −ℎ2
𝑄1 = =0.086 m3/sec
ln 𝑅 Τ𝑟𝑤

Discharge, if the well is fully penetrating into aquifer

𝑠𝑤
Q2= 2𝜋𝐾𝐻 = 0.157 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐
ln 𝑅Τ𝑟𝑤

𝑄2 − 𝑄1
% decrease in discharge = × 100 = 45%
𝑄2
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 ANY
QUESTION???

Thanks.

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