Hydraulic platform
Hydraulic Gradient
The Hydraulic Gradient is a term used in hydrogeology to describe the direction and rate of groundwater flow due to changes in the depth of the water table. It is a key concept in the study of fluid dynamics and water resources.
Definition[edit | edit source]
The hydraulic gradient is defined as the change in total hydraulic head per unit distance in a given direction. The hydraulic head is a measure of the total potential energy of the groundwater at a specific location, and includes both pressure and gravitational potential energy. The hydraulic gradient is typically expressed as a dimensionless ratio or percentage.
Calculation[edit | edit source]
The hydraulic gradient is calculated by dividing the difference in hydraulic head between two points by the distance between those points. This calculation is typically done using the formula:
- I = (h1 - h2) / d
where:
- I is the hydraulic gradient,
- h1 and h2 are the hydraulic heads at the two points, and
- d is the distance between the two points.
Applications[edit | edit source]
The hydraulic gradient is used in a variety of applications in hydrogeology and water resources management. These include:
- Determining the direction and velocity of groundwater flow,
- Designing and optimizing water wells and pumping tests,
- Predicting the spread of contaminants in groundwater,
- Evaluating the effectiveness of groundwater remediation strategies, and
- Assessing the impact of land use changes on groundwater resources.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD