CE 432 Production Well Design

Design
of
Production
Tubewell
Ground Water Aquifer
Ground Water: The water available in the saturated zone (Pores completely filled with
water) is known as ground water.
Aquifers: The soil strata which contain ground water and will readily yield it to wells are
called aquifers.
MD. SAZEDUL ISLAM, LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, AUST. 23 August 2021 2
Water Table Aquifer / Unconfined Aquifer
▪ Which is not confined by an upper impermeable layer.
▪ Water in this aquifer is under atmospheric pressure and the upper surface of the zone of
saturation is called water table.
Artesian Aquifer / confined Aquifer
▪ In which water is confined under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure by an
overlying relatively impermeable layer.
▪ The imaginary surface to which water will rise to wells is called piezometric surface.
Two types-
1. Flowing Artesian Well
2. Non-Flowing Artesian Well
Design of Production Well
Designing water well involves
▪ Selection of proper dimensional factors for the well structures
▪ Choosing the materials to be used in its construction.
Good design should assure an optimum combination of

▪ Performance (highest yield with minimum drawdown)
▪ Long service life
▪ Reasonable short term and long term cost
The main components of a production well
design involves determination of:
1. Well depth
2. Well casing length, diameter and pipe material
3. Screen length, diameter and screen material Water Table
4. Screen transmitting capacity/ yield capacity

5. Number of tubewell pumps required. Well casing Pipe/ Housing Pipe
Submersible
Layer of Clay Pump
Well Screen
Gravel Aquifer
Blank Pipe
Steps for designing the water well
1. Grain size distribution for different soil layers
2. Locating the aquifer and the water bearing strata
3. Design of Well casing or housing pipe
Water Table
4. Determination of strainer length and position
5. Selection of strainer size (Slot Opening)
Well casing Pipe/ Housing Pipe
6. Yield of well
Submersible
Layer of Clay Pump
Well Screen
Gravel Aquifer
Blank Pipe
Step-1: Grain Size Distribution for Different Soil Layers
To locate the expected depth of water bearing layer, drilling is done and sieve analyses of
various layers are found out. Next grain size distribution curves are drawn for different soil
layers using soil data and effective grain size (D10, D30, D60) and uniformity coefficient are
found for each layer. From the grain size distribution curves, relative percentage of
different particles are found using MIT classification of soil.
cumulative % retained on sieve # 4, 8, 16, 30, 50 & 100

Fineness Modulus =
100
Effective Size (D10) = Size that represents 10 % finer and 90% coarser of soil sample
D60
Co-efficient of Uniformity =
D10
Step-1 (Continues…)
For example,
Grain Size Analysis for Soil Sample - 1
Depth of sample = 230-260 ft
Total Sample = 230 gm
Weight Cumulative % Cumulative Grain Size Distribution Curve For Sample 1

Sieve Opening 110
Retained Weight Retained Weight Retained % Finer F.M
No. (mm) 100
(gm) (gm) (gm) D60 = 1.05 mm
90 D10 = 0.18 mm
#4 4.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 80 D30 = 0.45 mm
70 D60 1.05
#8 2.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 1.05 U= = = 5.83
60 D10 0.18
% Finer
50
#16 1.18 76.20 76.20 33.13 66.87
40
0.45
#30 0.60 65.20 141.40 61.48 38.52 2.66 30
20
#50 0.30 40.60 182.00 79.13 20.87 0.18
10
#100 0.15 30.60 212.60 92.43 7.57 0

10 1 0.1 0.01
#200 0.075 11.70 224.30 97.52 2.48 Sieve Opening (mm)
For example,
Grain Size Analysis for Soil Sample - 2
Depth of sample = 260-290 ft
Total Sample = 230 gm
Weight Cumulative % Cumulative Grain Size Distribution Curve For Sample 2

Sieve Opening 110
Retained Weight Retained Weight Retained % Finer F.M
No. (mm) 100
(gm) (gm) (gm) D60 = 1.40 mm
90
D10 = 0.22 mm
#4 4.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 80
D30 = 0.68 mm
70
#8 2.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 U = D60/D10 = 1.40/0.22 = 6.36
60 1.4
% Finer
50
#16 1.18 111.50 111.50 48.48 51.52
40
3.00 0.68
#30 0.60 57.90 169.40 73.65 26.35 30
20
#50 0.30 28.10 197.50 85.87 14.13 0.22
10
#100 0.15 16.30 213.80 92.96 7.04 0

10 1 0.1 0.01
#200 0.075 12.80 226.60 98.52 1.48 Sieve Opening (mm)
MIT Classification of soil
MIT Classification Soil Grain size
Silt/Clay < 0.06 mm
Fine Sand 0.06 – 0.20 mm
Medium Sand 0.20 – 0.60 mm
Course Sand 0.60 – 2.00 mm
Fine Gravel > 2.00 mm
Grain size analysis summary for subsoil layers

Sample Depth D10 D30 D60 % Coarse % Medium % Fine
FM U
(ft) (mm) (mm) (mm) Sand Sand Sand
230-260 2.66
260-290 3.00
290-300 1.84
300-330 1.73
330-350 1.43
350-370 1.40 0.1 0.175 0.24 2.4 2% 58% 40%
370-410 1.65
Step-2: Locating the aquifer and the water bearing strata
a) Factors to be considered for locating water bearing strata
➢ Higher percentage of coarse and medium sand indicates higher water carrying
capacity.
➢ High effective size (d10) and low uniformity coefficient (U) indicates higher hydraulic
conductivity/permeability.
➢ Generally, a material is classified as uniform, if uniformity coefficient (U) ≤ 2.
➢ (U>2 indicates well graded sample)
➢ Higher Fineness Modulus means bigger soil particle having good permeability and
presence of water.
For Say, Static water head or GWT = 260 ft.
Grain size analysis summary for subsoil layers

Sample Depth D10 D30 D60 % Coarse % Medium % Fine
FM U Remarks
(ft) (mm) (mm) (mm) Sand Sand Sand
No water
230-260 2.66 bearing
formation
260-290 3.00
290-300 1.84
300-330 1.73 Water bearing

330-350 1.43 formation
350-370 1.40 0.1 0.175 0.24 2.4 2% 58% 40%
370-410 1.65
Step-3: Design of Well casing or housing pipe
b) Well Depth
➢ The expected depth of a well is usually determined from the log of a test drilling or from
logs of other nearby wells in the same aquifer or during the drilling of the production well.
➢ Generally a well is completed to the bottom of the aquifer.
➢ Before the main production well drilling, usually 37mm dia test drilling is conducted and a
bore log is prepared on the basis of sieve analysis result of soil samples collected from
every 10 ft interval.
c) Well Casing/Housing Pipe Diameter
➢ The well casing must be larger enough to accommodate the pump with proper clearance and
should assure good hydraulic efficiency of the well.
➢ The diameter of the well casing should be around two sizes larger than the nominal diameter of
the pump.
➢ For an anticipated yield of 600 to 1300 gpm, well casing outer diameter ranges from 14 to 16
inches are usually taken.
d) Well Casing /Housing Pipe Material
➢ Usually seamless MS pipe is used for bigger diameter (12" to 18") casing pipe
➢ For small diameter (4" to 6") production well uPVC material is also used now days.
e) Well Casing Length
Length of casing pipe must be sufficient enough so that well
pump remain submerged all the time sufficiently below the
maximum pumping water level even after a reasonable
operation period (12-15 years) of well.
Length of casing pipe is sum of -
1. Static water level at present
2. Assumed drawdown of 10-15 ft while pumping
3. Average rate of water level declination per year * design period
4. Total length of well pump
5. Extra allowance of 10-15 ft depth for safety
Sample calculation of length of casing pipe
Static water level at present = 260 ft
Assumed drawdown while pumping = 12 ft
Design period = 20 year
Assumed depletion per year = 2 ft
Total length of well pump = 3 ft
Extra allowance = 15 ft
Length of casing pipe = 260 + 12 + (2* 20) + 3 + 15 = 330 ft
Let, Use 14 inch dia 330 ft long MS pipe.
Twice the nominal diameter of the pump.
Step-4: Determination of strainer length and position
f) Well Screen (Strainer)
A properly constructed well screen
➢ allows water to enter the well freely at low velocity
➢ prevents sand from entering with the water and Water Table
➢ serves as the structural retainer to support the

loose formation material.
Submersible
Layer of Clay Pump
Well Screen
Gravel Aquifer
Blank Pipe
Well Screen Length
➢ The optimum length of well screen is chosen in relation to

the thickness of the aquifer, available drawdown and
stratification of the aquifer.
➢ As it is very difficult to maintain vertical alignment of a long

strainer, it will not be practical to go beyond 100'
screening.
➢ Strainer should not be extended up to the bottom of the

aquifer to allow upward converging flow of water during
pumping.
Well Screen Length
Recommended screened length of well

Recommended Screening Length
Aquifer Thickness
(% of water bearing depth)
< 25′ 70%
25’ – 50’ 75%
> 50’ 80%
Well Screen Diameter
Screen openings depend upon -
➢ The gradation of the sand
➢ The requirement of water
➢ Usually 4" and 6" diameter are common. Screen diameter is selected to satisfy an essential basic
principle, i.e. enough total area of screen openings so that the entrance velocity is equal or less
than 0.1 ft/sec.
Well Screen Material
➢ Usually bridge-type stainless steel screen is preferable,
➢ Recently continuous slot-type stainless steel screens are manufactured locally.
Blank Pipe
Blank pipe should be provided-
➢ Between two strainers of a discontinuous aquifer.
➢ 10′ blank pipe is placed at the bottom to trap soil

particles that may enter the pipe through upward
converging flow.
Sample calculation of strainer length
Aquifer Depth (from 410ft – 260ft): 150.00 ft. > 50 ft.

0 ft. -
So,
80% of the aquifer screening can be made (From Table)

Water Table
260 ft. -
Hence, the Strainer Length (ft.): 0.8*150=120’ > 100’
And Length of the casing pipe = 330 ft
Strainer length= 410’-330-10’=70’ Layer of Clay

Submersible
Pump
So, we choose Strainer length = 70 ft. 330 ft. - Well Screen
Gravel Aquifer
10’ Blank Pipe

410 ft. -
Step-5: Selection of strainer size (Slot Opening)
➢ Oversized slots will pump finer materials indefinitely and become difficult to obtain clear
water.
➢ Undersized slots will provide more resistance to flow of ground water into the well,
resulting in more head loss and corrosion.
➢ Screen slot openings for the same formation can be different depending on whether the
well is naturally developed or filter packed.
➢ For an available depth of aquifer where strainer will be placed comparatively finest sand
layer (350’-370’) is identified form the soil characteristics on the basis of sieve analysis
result.
➢ When D50 of formation materials > 0.25mm and U > 3, well screen will be designed as
naturally developed well/screened well.
➢ In that case, well screen slot openings are selected as the size that will retain 40-50% of
the finest sand (i.e. D60 ~ D50 of formation material).
D60 ~D50 of formation material (in mm)

Slot Number = × 1000
25.4
➢ When the aquifer is homogeneous and U < 3 and D50 < 0.25mm, well screen will be designed as
or U>3 and D50<.25mm
or U<3 and D50>.25mm
gravel packed well.
Design of Gravel Pack Material
➢ Grain size distribution curve of the comparatively finest sand

layer (lowest FM among all soil depths where the strainer to be
installed) is drawn on a fresh semi-log graph paper.
➢ D30 of that finest sand is multiplied by a factor between 4 (fine

and uniform) and 6 (coarser and non-uniform).
U ≤ 1.5 use multiplying factor = 4

Interpolate for in
between values
U ≥ 2.5 use multiplying factor = 6
➢ Place the result of this multiplication on the graph as the D30 of

the gravel pack material. This is the first point on the curve that
represents the grading of the artificial gravel pack materials.
➢ Through the initial point on the gravel-pack curve, a

smooth curve nearly parallel with the aquifer material
curve is drawn by trial and error, representing a
material with a uniformity coefficient of 2.5 or less.
➢ Size of the well screen openings are selected to retain

90% or more of the gravel-pack material (i.e. D10).
D10 of Gravel pack material (in mm)

Slot Number = × 1000
25.4
➢ Specification of the gravel pack materials is prepared

by first selecting 4 to 5 sieve sizes that cover the
spread of the curve and then set down a permissible
range (± 8%) for the percent retained on each of the
selected sieves. Gravel pack materials should be
clean and well rounded.
➢ To ensure that an envelope of gravel will surround the

entire screen, a thickness of 3-8 inch gravel pack
can be maintained.
Calculation of Slot Opening:
For layer 350’-370, (lowest FM)
120
U = 2.4, D50 = 0.21 mm 110
100
As U < 3 and D50 < 0.25 mm,
90
we have to design gravel pack. 80
Formation Material
Pack aquifer ratio = 5 (for say) 70
% Finer
60 Gravel Pack Material
D30 of formation material = 0.175 mm
50
D30 of gravel pack material = 5 x 0.175 = 0.87 mm 40
D30 = 0.175 mm (Formation Material)
D10 of gravel pack material = 0.51 mm 30
D30 = 0.87 mm (Gravel Pack Material)
20
0.51 10
Slot Number = × 1000 = 20.08 D10 = 0.51 mm (Gravel Pack Material)
25.4 0
0.87 0.51 0.175
100 10 1 0.1 0.01
Let, 6 inch diameter 20 slot strainer is selected Sieve Opening (mm)
having each opening area of 20/1000 inch
Grain Size Distribution from Curve for Gravel Pack Material
Sieve Size % Finer Cumulative Range of %

% Retained
No. (mm) (From Graph) % Retained Retained
#4 4.75 100 0 0 -
#8 2.36 98 2 2 0–4
#16 1.18 61 39 37 33 – 41
#30 0.60 11 89 50 46 – 54
#40 0.475 9 91 2 0-4
#50 0.30 0 100 9 5 - 13
#100 0.15 0 100 0 -
#200 0.075 0 100 0 -
D10 = 0.51 mm, D60 = 1.2 mm, U = 2.35 < 2.5 (OK)
Step-6: Yield of well
Yield of a well = (Available opening area of screen x Entrance velocity ) / Factor of safety
= (π D Ls A x v) / FS
Where, D = Diameter of screen = 6”

Ls = Length of screen = 70’
strainer A = Available opening area of screen per linear ft of screen = 10% = 0.10
v = Entrance velocity (maximum 0.1 ft/sec) = 0.1 ft/sec
FS = Factor of safety (considered assuming screen blockage while operation) = 3
Table: Separate Slot sizes having different opening area

Slot Size Assumed Opening (Steel Screen)
40 20%
30 15%
20 10%
For PVC screen, opening area is considered to be half of the above mentioned areas.
Step-6: Yield of well
Yield of a well = (Available opening area of screen x Entrance velocity ) / Factor of safety
= (π D Ls A x v) / FS
6
= (π × × 70 × 0.10 × 0.1)/3
12
= 0.3665 ft3/sec
= 0.3665 x (0.3048)3 x 1000 x 3600 [1 m3 = 103 lit]
= 37361.25 lph
Assuming continuous pumping for 12 hours per day, Yield = 37361.25 x 12 = 448335 lpd
***More than one well may be required if one well can’t meet the water demand.
Summary
between 330'-400' ; 70' long Strainer
20 slots with approximately 10% opening area of the steel strainer
37361.25 lph
8 2.36 0–4
16 1.18 33 – 41
30 0.6 46 – 54
40 0.475 0-4
50 0.3 5 - 13
330 ft
Summary
14” dia Casing Pipe
Well Log
330 ft
70 ft strainer
410 ft
10 ft Blank Pipe
3” - 8” Graveled
pack material around

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Design

Good design should assure an optimum combination of

4. Screen transmitting capacity/ yield capacity

cumulative % retained on sieve # 4, 8, 16, 30, 50 & 100

Weight Cumulative % Cumulative Grain Size Distribution Curve For Sample 1

#100 0.15 30.60 212.60 92.43 7.57 0

Weight Cumulative % Cumulative Grain Size Distribution Curve For Sample 2

#100 0.15 16.30 213.80 92.96 7.04 0

Grain size analysis summary for subsoil layers

➢ Generally, a material is classified as uniform, if uniformity coefficient (U) ≤ 2.

➢ (U>2 indicates well graded sample)

Grain size analysis summary for subsoil layers

300-330 1.73 Water bearing

350-370 1.40 0.1 0.175 0.24 2.4 2% 58% 40%

➢ Generally a well is completed to the bottom of the aquifer.

d) Well Casing /Housing Pipe Material

Length of casing pipe is sum of -

1. Static water level at present

2. Assumed drawdown of 10-15 ft while pumping

3. Average rate of water level declination per year * design period

4. Total length of well pump

5. Extra allowance of 10-15 ft depth for safety

Static water level at present = 260 ft

Assumed drawdown while pumping = 12 ft

Design period = 20 year

Assumed depletion per year = 2 ft

Total length of well pump = 3 ft

Length of casing pipe = 260 + 12 + (2* 20) + 3 + 15 = 330 ft

Let, Use 14 inch dia 330 ft long MS pipe.

Twice the nominal diameter of the pump.

A properly constructed well screen

➢ allows water to enter the well freely at low velocity

➢ serves as the structural retainer to support the

➢ The optimum length of well screen is chosen in relation to

➢ As it is very difficult to maintain vertical alignment of a long

➢ Strainer should not be extended up to the bottom of the

Recommended screened length of well

Screen openings depend upon -

➢ The gradation of the sand

➢ The requirement of water

Well Screen Material

➢ Usually bridge-type stainless steel screen is preferable,

➢ Recently continuous slot-type stainless steel screens are manufactured locally.

Blank pipe should be provided-

➢ Between two strainers of a discontinuous aquifer.

➢ 10′ blank pipe is placed at the bottom to trap soil

Aquifer Depth (from 410ft – 260ft): 150.00 ft. > 50 ft.

80% of the aquifer screening can be made (From Table)

Strainer length= 410’-330-10’=70’ Layer of Clay

So, we choose Strainer length = 70 ft. 330 ft. - Well Screen

10’ Blank Pipe

naturally developed well/screened well.

the finest sand (i.e. D60 ~ D50 of formation material).

D60 ~D50 of formation material (in mm)

➢ Grain size distribution curve of the comparatively finest sand

➢ D30 of that finest sand is multiplied by a factor between 4 (fine

U ≤ 1.5 use multiplying factor = 4

➢ Place the result of this multiplication on the graph as the D30 of

➢ Through the initial point on the gravel-pack curve, a

➢ Size of the well screen openings are selected to retain

D10 of Gravel pack material (in mm)

➢ Specification of the gravel pack materials is prepared

➢ To ensure that an envelope of gravel will surround the

having each opening area of 20/1000 inch