Unsteady state pumping test

 Steady state pumping test

 Steady state condition is achieved in unconfined aquifer after pumping for a very long time
(usually days..)
 Attaining steady state condition in confined aquifer is (theoretically) impossible..(unless the
overlying layer is leaky)
 Very expensive & time consuming
 Unsteady state pumping test
 Drawdown is measured as a function of time (drawdown vs time)
 Quicker than steady state test (no need to wait for the cone of depression to reach equilibrium
before taking measurements of drawdown)
 In addition to estimating T (or K), it also enables estimate of storage coefficient
 Only one observation well is required
Unsteady state pumping
 Discharge
  = rate of decline of head x storage
coefficient (summed over the area of
influence)
 Rate of decline of head – decreases as the
area of influence expands
 Confined Aquifer
Unsteady state solution
Drawdown in an observation well at a radial distance
r from a pumped well (Theis Equation)
S – storage coefficient (volume
of water discharged from a
confined aquifer per unit area
and per m drop in piezometric
head)
t – time since pumping started
Confined Aquifer
Unsteady state solution contd…

W(u) – well function

Solution methods:
1.Theis graphical approach
2. Cooper-Jacob approach
Theis Graphical solution
Taking natural log of both sides of previous Eq.
 Theis Graphical solution

For a pumping test, the relation between ln(Z) & ln(r2/t) must be
similar to ln(W(u)) & ln(u)
 Theis Graphical solution
1. Plot ln(Z) against ln(r2/t) (or
Plot Z against r2/t on a log-log
paper)
 Theis Graphical solution
2. Select a typical range for W(u) and u from Theis table [or from the
plot between ln(W(u)) vs ln(u)] – that matches the shape of the
data in step 1.
 Theis Graphical solution contd…
3. Plot the selected ln(W(u)) against
ln(u) on another sheet (or plot W(u)
against u on a log-log sheet)
4. Place the two plots on each other in
such a way that both curves overlap
5. Take any point on the two graphs
(‘matching point’) and read off
corresponding co-ordinates from both
graphs. [ y axis – ln(Z)’ & ln(W(u))’;
x axis – ln(r2/t)’ & ln(u)’ ]
 Theis Graphical solution
6. Use Equations to determine T and S
 Example
A well penetrating a confined aquifer is pumped at a uniform rate of 2500 m 3/day.
Drawdown during the pumping period were measured in an observation well at a radial
distance of 60 m from the pumped well and the resulting data are presented in the table
below. Using Theis method, estimate T and S for the confined aquifer.
 Solution
1. Plot ln(Z) against ln(r2/t)
2. Select a typical range for W(u) and u from
Theis table or from the plot between ln(W(u))
vs ln(u) – that matches the shape of the data in
step 1.
3. Plot the selected ln(W(u)) against ln(u) on
another sheet (or plot W(u) against u on a log-
log sheet)
4. Place the two plots on each other in such a way
that both curves overlap
5. Take any point on the two graphs (‘matching
point’) and read off corresponding co-ordinates
from both graphs. [ y axis – ln(Z)’ & ln(W(u))’;
x axis – ln(r2/t)’ & ln(u)’ ]
 Solution
ln(u)’=
ln(W(u))’=
ln(Z)’=
ln(r2/t)’=
Solution
Substitute the corresponding values from the
plot in

Q = ?; T=?; S=?
Confined Aquifer
Unsteady state solution

W(u) – well function

Solution methods:
1.Theis graphical approach
2. Cooper-Jacob approach
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)
Drawdown in an observation well at a radial distance
r from a pumped well (Theis Equation)

Theis Equation, where

for small values of u (u<0.01),

Theis Equation has been
simplified by Cooper-Jacob
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)
1. Measure the drawdown (Z) and corresponding time
(t) at an observation well at a distance r from the
pumping well.
2. Plot Z (y axis) against t (log x axis).
3. Determine the gradient of the curve
4. Extend the straight line (in step 2) and read the
intercept on x axis. Read the corresponding time (to).
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)
1. Measure the drawdown (Z) and
corresponding time (t) at an
observation well at a distance r
from the pumping well.
2. Plot Z (y axis) against t (log x
axis).
3. Determine the gradient of the
curve
4. Extend the straight line (in step
2) and read the intercept on x
axis. Read the corresponding
time (to).
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)

at t=to; Z=?
Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)

But, ≠0

So,

=0 =1
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)

But, ≠0

Z per cycle (ΔZ) of the straight line part

ΔZ
 Cooper-Jacob solution for Theis Equation
(unsteady pumping test to determine T & S)
 Cooper-Jacob solution is valid only if u<0.01
 If r is relatively small, the above condition can be
met after about 1 hr of pumping for a confined
aquifer.
 Example
(using Cooper-Jacob solution)
A well penetrating a confined aquifer is pumped at a uniform rate of 2500 m3/day.
Drawdown during the pumping period were measured in an observation well at a radial
distance of 60 m from the pumped well and the resulting data are presented in the table
below. Using Cooper-Jacob method, estimate T and S for the confined aquifer.
 Example: Solution
(using Cooper-Jacob solution)
1. Plot Z (y axis) against t (log
x axis) or z vs log10t.
2. Determine the gradient of
the curve
Example: Solution
(using Cooper-Jacob solution)
Example: Solution
(using Cooper-Jacob solution)