ASTM_D_5447_-_04_2010.pdf

Designation:D544704(Reapproved 2010)Standard Guide forApplication of a Groundwater Flow Model to a Site-SpecificProblem1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5447;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the application and subsequent docu-mentation of a groundwater flow model to a particular site orproblem.In this context,“groundwater flow model”refers tothe application of a mathematical model to the solution of asite-specific groundwater flow problem.1.2 This guide illustrates the major steps to take in devel-oping a groundwater flow model that reproduces or simulatesan aquifer system that has been studied in the field.This guidedoes not identify particular computer codes,software,oralgorithms used in the modeling investigation.1.3 This guide is specifically written for saturated,isothermal,groundwater flow models.The concepts are appli-cable to a wide range of models designed to simulate subsur-face processes,such as variably saturated flow,flow in frac-tured media,density-dependent flow,solute transport,andmultiphase transport phenomena;however,the details of theseother processes are not described in this guide.1.4 This guide is not intended to be all inclusive.Eachgroundwater model is unique and may require additionalprocedures in its development and application.All such addi-tional analyses should be documented,however,in the modelreport.1.5 This guide is one of a series of standards on groundwa-ter model applications.Other standards have been prepared onenvironmental modeling,such as Practice E978.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to us1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of informationor a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action.This document cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction with professionaljudgment.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances.This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy ofa given professional service must be judged,nor should thisdocument be applied without consideration of a projects manyunique aspects.The word“Standard”in the title of thisdocument means only that the document has been approvedthrough the ASTM consensus process.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsE978 Practice for Evaluating Mathematical Models for theEnvironmental Fate of Chemicals(Withdrawn 2002)33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 application verificationusing the set of parametervalues and boundary conditions from a calibrated model toapproximate acceptably a second set of field data measuredunder similar hydrologic conditions.3.1.1.1 DiscussionApplication verification is to be distin-guished from code verification,that refers to software testing,comparison with analytical solutions,and comparison withother similar codes to demonstrate that the code represents itsmathematical foundation.3.1.2 boundary conditiona mathematical expression of astate of the physical system that constrains the equations of themathematical model.3.1.3 calibration(model application)the process of refin-ing the model representation of the hydrogeologic framework,hydraulic properties,and boundary conditions to achieve adesired degree of correspondence between the model simula-tion and observations of the groundwater flow system.1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater andVadose Zone Investigations.Current edition approved Aug.1,2010.Published September 2010.Originallyapproved in 1993.Discontinued in 2002 and reinstated in 2004 as D544704.Lastprevious edition approved in 2004 as D544704.DOI:10.1520/D5447-04(2010).2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.4 computer code(computer program)the assembly ofnumerical techniques,bookkeeping,and control language thatrepresents the model from acceptance of input data andinstructions to delivery of output.3.1.5 conceptual modelan interpretation or working de-scription