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Geology topics

A. L. Zack

Publications and source records attributed to A. L. Zack.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1991

The effects of overburden stress on the specific storage and hydraulic conductivity of artesian aquifers

A mathematical algorithm is developed to determine the depth-dependent profiles of specific storage and hydraulic conductivity resulting from overburden stress in horizontally isotropic artesian aquifers. Vertical variations in the void ratio of the aquifer matrix brought about by overburden stresses determine the pore-volume compressibility and matrix permeability at specific depths within the aquifers which, in turn, determine the depth-dependent profiles of specific storage and hydraulic conductivity. Time-drawdown curves are obtained for two sands subjected to different overburden stresses. For shallow artesian aquifers with low overburden stress and high aquifer matrix compressibility, noticeable vertical gradients in specific storage occur. These vertical gradients cause deviations from the classical time-drawdown curves defined by the Theis solution. These deviations are negligible for deep artesian aquifers.

Journal of Hydrology↗
USGS1990

Laboratory simulation of the effects of overburden stress on the specific storage of shallow artesian aquifers

A laboratory experiment to measure the specific storage of an aquifer material was conducted. A known dead load, simulating an overburden load, was applied to a sample of completely saturated aquifer material contained inside a cylinder. After the dead load was applied, water was withdrawn from the sample, causing the hydrostatic pressure to decrease and the effective stress to increase. The resulting compression of the sample and the amount of water withdrawn were measured after equilibrium was reached. The procedure was repeated by increasing the dead load and the hydrostatic pressure followed by withdrawing water to determine new values of effective stress and compaction. The simulated dead loads are typical of those experienced by shallow artesian aquifers. The void ratio and the effective stress of the aquifer sample, as simulated by different dead loads, determine the pore volume compressibility which, in turn, determines the values of specific storage. An analytical algorithm was used to independently determine the stress dependent profile of specific storage. These values are found to be in close agreement with laboratory results. Implications for shallow artesian aquifers, with relatively small overburden stress, are also addressed.

Conference Paper↗