0005

AquiferWin32 Analytical Solution

Theis, 1935

by Environmental Simulations, Inc.

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Copyright  1999-2011 Environmental Simulations, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft.

This manual was produced using Doc-To-Help®, by ComponentOne LLC

ESI Programming by:

Douglas B. Rumbaugh
James O. Rumbaugh

Environmental

esi Simulations
Inc.

Environmental Simulations, Inc.

300 Mountain Top Rd
Reinholds, PA 17569
tel. (610) 670-3400
fax. (610) 670-9239

support@groundwatermodels.com
www.groundwatermodels.com
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Contents
Description 1
Assumptions .............................................................................................................................. 1
References ................................................................................................................................. 1
Books........................................................................................................................... 1
Journal Papers.............................................................................................................. 1
ASTM Standard........................................................................................................... 2
Solution Algorithm...................................................................................................... 2
Notes.......................................................................................................................................... 2
Example Document ................................................................................................................... 2

Analysis Parameters 3
Pump Test Analysis ................................................................................................................... 3
Parameters ................................................................................................................... 3
Results ......................................................................................................................... 5
Pump Test Simulation................................................................................................................ 7
Parameters ................................................................................................................... 7
Flow Model................................................................................................................................ 8
Parameters ................................................................................................................... 8
Results ......................................................................................................................... 9

Tutorial 10
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 10
Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 10

Glossary of Terms 13

Index 15

Theis, 1935 Contents • i

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Description

Assumptions
• The aquifer is confined
• The aquifer has an infinite areal extent
• The aquifer is homogeneous, isotropic and of uniform thickness over
the area influenced by the test
• Prior to pumping the piezometric surface is horizontal over the area that
will be influenced by the test
• The aquifer is pumped at a constant discharge rate
• The well penetrates the entire thickness of the aquifer and thus receives
water by horizontal flow
• The water removed from storage is discharged instantaneously with
decline of head
• The diameter of the well is small, i.e. the storage in the well can be
neglected
• The flow to the well is in an usteady state

References

Books
Kruseman, G.P. and N.A. de Ridder, 1990, Analysis and Evaluation of Pumping Test
Data, Second Edition, ILRI publication 47, International Institute for Land
Reclamation and Improvement, The Netherlands, 377 p.

Journal Papers
Theis, C.V., 1935, The relation between the lowering of the piezometric surface and
the rate and duration of discharge of a well using groundwater storage, Trans.
Amer. Geophys. Union, Vol. 16, pp. 519-524.

Theis, 1935 Description • 1

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ASTM Standard
D 4106 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining Transmissivity and
Storage Coefficient of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
Method, ASTM, 5 p.

Solution Algorithm
Reed, J.E., 1980, Type curves for selected problems of flow to wells in confined
aquifers, USGS Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 3, 106 pp.

Notes
1. Solution may be applied to unconfined aquifers if the drawdown is
small compared to the saturated thickness of the aquifer and there is no
delayed yield effect.
2. Well-bore storage effects are negligible if t > 2500 r2c/T, where t is
time, rc is the casing diameter, and T is transmissivity (Reed, 1980).
3. For partially penetrating wells, use Hantush 1961 solution.

Example Document
An example AquiferWin32 document is provided to illustrate the Theis solution. The
file is called theisb.aqw. If you open this document, your screen should look like the
following:

2 • Description Theis, 1935

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Analysis Parameters

Pump Test Analysis

Parameters

Well Parameters
Radial distance (r)
Pumping rate (Q)
Hydraulic Parameters
Transmissivity (T)
Storage coefficient (S)
Distance from the pumping well to the monitoring
well
Pumping rate at the production well
Initial estimate for transmissivity
Initial estimate for storage coefficient

Theis, 1935, supports manual and optimized curve matches; as such, optimizations
of selected parameters are performed based on initial estimates. The Parameters tab
presents the specified and estimated parameters involved in the analysis. By default,
the values for “Pumping rate (Q)” and “Radial distance (r)” are calculated or

Theis, 1935 Analysis Parameters • 3

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specified. By default, the values for “Transmissivity (T)” and “Storage coefficient
(S)” are estimated or initialized based on a manual curve match.

The custom check-box control, , adjacent to each data field controls whether
parameters are “linked” and/or “fixed”. The lower check-box indicates whether the
parameter value is linked to a value calculated or entered in another part of the
program. In the case of “Radial distance (r)”, the default is for the parameter to be
linked to one of two possible values. In a simple analysis, one that does not use
wells, the value was entered into the “Radial Distance” field of the Pumping tab
from the Aquifer Test Information property sheet. For a multiple well case, the value
is calculated based on the coordinates of the monitoring and pumping wells.
Similarly, the value for the “Pumping rate (Q)” parameter is taken from the
“Pumping Rate” field of the Pumping tab from the Aquifer Test Information
property sheet for a simple analysis. For the multiple well case, the value is derived
from the pumping schedule defined in the Pumping tab from the Aquifer Test
Information property sheet. The nature of the derivation is defined by the radio
button selected on the Analysis page of the Analysis Information property sheet. The
options are “Calculate Time Average Pumping”, “Use First Pumping Rate”, “Specify
Pumping Rate” or “Variable Pumping Rate”. If “Variable Pumping Rate” has been
selected, the “Pumping rate (Q)” parameter is blank and inactive because it is not
used.
AquiferWin32 optimizes for transmissivity (L2/T) and storage coefficient
(dimensionless) by default. While it is possible to also solve for the pumping rate
and radial distance, this is rarely done. If you are uncertain of the pumping rate, for
example, you could optimize for this parameter. First, unlink the parameter by
clicking the lower check-box in the custom check-box control, , adjacent to the
data field. Next click the upper check-box to allow the parameter to be optimized by
AquiferWin32. If you decide at a later time to not optimize the parameter, you can
simply check the appropriate check-box to either fix the parameter or reset it to its
original linked value.
It is important to note that the fix and link status of a parameter only applies to an
optimized solution. If you fix values like transmissivity and/or storage coefficient, a
subsequent manual match will change the values. The reason for this behavior is that
these values are calculated based the match point between the data and the type
curve graph.

4 • Analysis Parameters Theis, 1935

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Results

Well Parameters
Radial distance (r)
Pumping rate (Q)
Hydraulic Parameters
Transmissivity (T)
Storage coefficient (S)
Calculated/specified distance from the pumping well
to the monitoring well
Calculated/specified pumping rate at the production
well
Calculated/specified value for transmissivity
Calculated/specified value for storage coefficient

Theis, 1935, supports manual and optimized curve matches; as such, optimizations
of selected parameters are performed based on initial estimates. The Results tab
presents the specified and calculated parameters involved in the analysis. By default,
the values for “Pumping rate (Q)” and “Radial distance (r)” are calculated or
specified. By default, the values for “Transmissivity (T)” and “Storage coefficient
(S)” are estimated or initialized based on a manual curve match.

The custom check-box control, , adjacent to each data field controls whether
parameters are “linked” and/or “fixed”. On the Results tab, these controls are not
active and serve as reference only. The lower check-box indicates whether the
parameter value is linked to a value calculated or entered in another part of the
program. In the case of “Radial distance (r)”, the default is for the parameter to be
linked to one of two possible values. In a simple analysis, one that does not use
wells, the value was entered into the “Radial Distance” field of the Pumping tab
from the Aquifer Test Information property sheet. For a multiple well case, the value
is calculated based on the coordinates of the monitoring and pumping wells.

Theis, 1935 Analysis Parameters • 5

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Similarly, the value for the “Pumping rate (Q)” parameter is taken from the
“Pumping Rate” field of the Pumping tab from the Aquifer Test Information
property sheet for a simple analysis. For the multiple well case, the value is derived
from the pumping schedule defined in the Pumping tab from the Aquifer Test
Information property sheet. The nature of the derivation is defined by the radio
button selected on the Analysis page of the Analysis Information property sheet. The
options are “Calculate Time Average Pumping”, “Use First Pumping Rate”, “Specify
Pumping Rate” or “Variable Pumping Rate”. If “Variable Pumping Rate” has been
selected, the “Pumping rate (Q)” parameter is blank and inactive because it is not
used.

Manual Match Calculations:

T = (TY Q)(4π DY )
S = ((4T D X ) / r 2 ) / T X
where:
S storage coefficient, Storage Coefficient
[dimensionless]
T transmissivity, Transmissivity [L2/T]
TX x-coordinate of type curve match point
TY y-coordinate of type curve match point
DX x-coordinate of data curve match point
DY y-coordinate of data curve match point
r radial distance, Radial distance [L]
Q pumping rate, Pumping rate [L3/T]

6 • Analysis Parameters Theis, 1935

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Pump Test Simulation

Parameters

Well Parameters
Radial distance (r)
Pumping rate (Q)
Hydraulic Parameters
Transmissivity (T)
Storage coefficient (S)
Distance from the pumping well to the monitoring
well
Pumping rate at the production well
Value to use for transmissivity
Value to use for storage coefficient

Theis, 1935, supports pump test simulations. The Parameters tab presents the
specified parameters involved in the analysis. The value for “Radial distance (r)” is
blank and inactive because it is not used for a simulation. The values for “Pumping
rate (Q)”, “Transmissivity (T)” and “Storage coefficient (S)” are used to calculate
drawdown.
The contour map presented in the Test Simulator view is calculated by applying the
value of “Pumping rate (Q)” to the well specified in the “Pumping Well” combobox
on the Solution tab. Transient drawdown is calculated at the time specified in the
“Contour Time” parameter on the Solution tab. At each point in the contour matrix,
the drawdown is calculated and subtracted from the hydraulic head defined by the
parameters in the Reference Head tab.

Theis, 1935 Analysis Parameters • 7

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Flow Model

Parameters

Hydraulic Parameters
Transmissivity
Storage coefficient
Particle Tracking Parameters
Aquifer Thickness
Porosity
Value to use for transmissivity
Value to use for storage coefficient
The thickness of the aquifer to use when calculating
velocities for the purpose of tracking particles
The porosity of the aqufier to use when calculating
velocities for the purpose of tracking particles

In Theis, 1935, the Parameters tab presents the specified parameters to used during
model calculations. The values of “Transmissivity” and “Storage coefficient” are
used to calculate drawdown. The values of “Aquifer Thickness” and “Porosity” are
used for particle tracking and velocity calculations.

8 • Analysis Parameters Theis, 1935

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Results

Hydraulic Parameters
Transmissivity
Storage coefficient
Particle Tracking Parameters
Aquifer Thickness
Porosity
Optimized value for transmissivity calculated during
the last auto-calibration
Optimized value for storage coefficient calculated
during the last auto-calibration
The thickness of the aquifer to use when calculating
velocities for the purpose of tracking particles
The porosity of the aqufier to use when calculating
velocities for the purpose of tracking particles

In Theis, 1935, the Results tab presents the parameter values calculated during an
optimization to calibration targets (auto-calibration). If no optimization has been
performed, these parameters will likely be 0. The values of “Transmissivity” and
“Storage coefficient” are used to calculate drawdown. The values of “Aquifer
Thickness” and “Porosity” are used for particle tracking and velocity calculations.

Theis, 1935 Analysis Parameters • 9

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Tutorial

Introduction
The tutorials contained in the documentation for individual analyses such as this are
intentionally condensed and contain only the required steps to perform the specific
analysis. The user is referred to the tutorials in the main documentation for more
extensive examples, insight and advanced features. Additionally, it is imperative
that the user read the Concepts chapter in the main documentation before using the
application.

Procedure
The data are from a real aquifer test reported by Kruseman and de Ridder (1990;
page 59). Kruseman and de Ridder call this aquifer test Oude Korendijk for the area
where the test was conducted. The pumping well was screened over the entire
aquifer thickness of 7 meters. Piezometers were placed at distances of 0.8, 30, 90,
and 215 meters. The well was pumped at a constant discharge rate of 0.547 m3/min
for 14 hours. This tutorial will use time and drawdown data for the 30 meter
piezometer.

Create a new “AquiferWin32 Analysis” document by clicking the button on the

Standard toolbar or select File->New menu. Click the mouse in the graph view and
click the Edit->Solution menu to activate the Solution Information property sheet.
Change the solution to “Theis, 1935 (Confined)”. Accept the property sheet by
clicking the OK button.
Select the Edit->Units menu to set the units appropriate for the analysis:
Time Units: min (minutes)
Length Units: m (meters)
Pumping Rate Units: cu m/min (meter3/minute)
Transmissivity Units: sq m/min (meter2/minute)
Click the Apply Globally check-box and accept the property sheet by clicking the
OK button.
Enter the following data into the spreadsheet or import the file kdr_ok.dat. If the
default data field 1,1 is in the spreadsheet, don’t forget to remove it.

10 • Tutorial Theis, 1935

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Time (min) Drawdown (m)

0.100 0.040
0.250 0.080
0.500 0.130
0.700 0.180
1.000 0.230
1.400 0.280
1.900 0.330
2.330 0.360
2.800 0.390
3.360 0.420
4.000 0.450
5.350 0.500
6.800 0.540
8.300 0.570
8.700 0.580
10.000 0.600
13.100 0.640
18.000 0.680
27.000 0.742
33.000 0.753
41.000 0.779
48.000 0.793
59.000 0.819
80.000 0.855
95.000 0.873
139.000 0.915
181.000 0.935
245.000 0.966
300.000 0.990
360.000 1.007
480.000 1.050
600.000 1.053
728.000 1.072
830.000 1.088

Now that we have the time and drawdown data, we will enter the remaining test data.
Select Edit->Aquifer Test to enter the pumping rate and distance to observation
well. Click on the Pumping tab on this property sheet and enter the following
information:
Pumping Well Name P1
Pumping Rate 0.547 m3/min.

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Monitoring Well Name H30

Radial Distance 30 m
The values for the well construction information are not used by the Theis analysis
so their entry is optional. Accept the property sheet by clicking the OK button.
Click on the graph view and use the keyboard arrow keys or the arrow buttons on the
Match toolbar to perform a manual match of the data to the type curve. Click the
button on the Match toolbar to optimize the solution by using the Marquardt
(modified Gauss-Newton) nonlinear least-squares technique to find the best
statistical match between the field data and the type curve.. You will see T
(transmissivity) and S (storage coefficient) displayed on the status bar at the bottom
of the AquiferWin32 frame window. The values should be 0.334 m2/min for T and
0.000112 for S after the optimization is complete.
To reproduce the results of Kruseman and de Ridder we must ignore some data
points. To do this, click the Edit->Aquifer Test menu to activate the Aquifer Test
Information property sheet. Click on the Well Data tab and change the weight to
1000 corresponding to the last 12 time values from 59 to 830 minutes. Also, change
the symbols to a triangle to visually identify those points to be ignored. AquiferWin32
performs the nonlinear least-squares analysis on weighted residuals (errors). A
higher weight means that the error has less significance to the results. Next click the
Calc->Optimize menu again to calculate new value. The resulting values are 0.28
m2/min for transmissivity and 0.000167 for storage coefficient. These are close to
the Kruseman and de Ridder results.
To add a legend to the graph, open the file theisb.aqw and copy the legend contained
therein and paste it into this document. The resulting screen is presented below.

12 • Tutorial Theis, 1935

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Glossary of Terms

hydraulic conductivity
The constant of proportionality in Darcy's law defined as the volume of water that
will move through a porous medium in unit time under a unit hydraulic gradient
through a unit area measured at right angles to the direction of flow. [L/T]

pumping rate
The volume of water extracted from the pumping well per unit time. [V/T]

radial distance
The linear distance between the monitoring well and the pumping well. [L]

storage coefficient
The volume of water released from storage per unit surface area of aquifer per unit
decline in hydraulic head. [dimensionless]

transmissivity
The average hydraulic conductivity multiplied by the saturated thickness of the
aquifer. [L2/T]

Theis, 1935 Glossary of Terms • 13

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Index

A
Aquifer Thickness 8, 9
Assumptions 1

E
Example Document 2

M
Manual Match Calculations 6

N
Notes 2

P
Porosity 8, 9
Pumping rate 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

R
Radial distance 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
References 1

S
Storage coefficient 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

T
Transmissivity 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Theis, 1935 Index • 15