An Application of the Finite Element Method to the Enhanced Snake River Plane Aquifer Model
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by the Idaho State HIgher Education Research Council and the Career Path Internship program at Idaho State University.
Presentation Date
7-2020
Abstract
The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Model (ESPAM) was developed for the purpose of understanding the response of the aquifer to changing conditions. The model relies on the equations for groundwater flow, which are partial differential equations. The finite element method (FEM) is an efficient method for obtaining approximate solutions to partial differential equations. Since partial differential equations are often very difficult to solve directly, the FEM is an extremely useful tool in numerical modelling and simulation. In this project, we developed an efficient software implementation of the finite element method. We then applied this software to the governing equations ofthe ESPAM.
An Application of the Finite Element Method to the Enhanced Snake River Plane Aquifer Model
The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Model (ESPAM) was developed for the purpose of understanding the response of the aquifer to changing conditions. The model relies on the equations for groundwater flow, which are partial differential equations. The finite element method (FEM) is an efficient method for obtaining approximate solutions to partial differential equations. Since partial differential equations are often very difficult to solve directly, the FEM is an extremely useful tool in numerical modelling and simulation. In this project, we developed an efficient software implementation of the finite element method. We then applied this software to the governing equations ofthe ESPAM.