Utilization of artificial aquifer physical model to aid technical learning of groundwater hydrology

A study of hydrogeological process involves movement of water beneath the ground surface. Water content in the aquifer influences the quantitative determination of aquifer hydraulic parameters. The limited opportunity to explore and demonstrate groundwater processes is the reason why students have inappropriate understanding of groundwater concept. The visualisation of groundwater flow is quite difficult as it deals with subsurface condition which cannot be seen. In research, field experiments on groundwater are difficult to carry out because time consuming and involves uncertainty in aquifer conditions. Physical models have been used in classroom as a tool for teaching hydrogeology. Further understanding was developed by demonstration and observation of groundwater flow using simple sand tank. Previous research implemented sand tank under controlled conditions to investigate the mechanism and flow process of groundwater. A large artificial physical aquifer model was developed in this study as an alternative to show the students the real aquifer condition and hydrogeology processes. The model consisted of three different layers of soils, in which water table level was controlled using water tank at both sides of the physical model structure. Hydraulic parameters of the artificial aquifer and performance of production well were evaluated by pumping tests. The groundwater flow in the artificial aquifer model was simulated accordingly to Darcy‟s law. Analysis of pumping test was computed by an Aquifer Test software. Well performance measurement provided by a step drawdown pumping test estimated the efficiency of well as 99%. The artificial aquifer model was verified by constant rate discharge pumping test and found to be a leaky aquifer. The pumping test analyzed the aquifer with transmissivity of 78.50m2/day and hydraulic conductivity of 7.37m/day while recovery test analyzed the transmissivity to be 8.22m2/day and hydraulic conductivity of 7.34m/day. Both test analyzed the storage coefficient as 0.5. This artificial aquifer physical model was designed and developed to enhance student‟s understanding of groundwater theory. Through hands-on pumping test on the aquifer model, students would be able to visualize clearer the groundwater processes.