2003
DOI: 10.1029/2001wr000586
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Numerical error in groundwater flow and solute transport simulation

Abstract: [1] Models of groundwater flow and solute transport may be affected by numerical error, leading to quantitative and qualitative changes in behavior. In this paper we compare and combine three methods of assessing the extent of numerical error: grid refinement, mathematical analysis, and benchmark test problems. In particular, we assess the popular solute transport code SUTRA [Voss, 1984] as being a typical finite element code. Our numerical analysis suggests that SUTRA incorporates a numerical dispersion error… Show more

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Cited by 37 publications
(25 citation statements)
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“…The spatial discretisation of the SUTRA model was controlled to some degree by the duration of SUTRA simulations. While the finest possible mesh is desirable to control numerical oscillations in SUTRA (Voss, 1984;Woods et al, 2003) and to obtain grid-independent predictions, computer run-times (Pentium IV, 2.8 GHz processor) for 5-year tidal simulations exceeded 6 days (144 h). Run-times were influenced by the small time steps (240-600 s) required to accurately capture the 13 h tidal cycle and maintain solution convergence.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The spatial discretisation of the SUTRA model was controlled to some degree by the duration of SUTRA simulations. While the finest possible mesh is desirable to control numerical oscillations in SUTRA (Voss, 1984;Woods et al, 2003) and to obtain grid-independent predictions, computer run-times (Pentium IV, 2.8 GHz processor) for 5-year tidal simulations exceeded 6 days (144 h). Run-times were influenced by the small time steps (240-600 s) required to accurately capture the 13 h tidal cycle and maintain solution convergence.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The problem is that since then, there have been a significant number of published Elder problem simulations which dramatically vary in the way the plumes develop and the number of plumes that remain once the system has reached steady state [Oldenburg and Pruess, 1995;Kolditz et al, 1997;Ackerer et al, 1999;Boufadel et al, 1999;Oltean and Bues, 2001;Frolkovic and de Schepper, 2000;Diersch and Kolditz, 2002]. These discrepancies have been attributed to various issues including mesh resolution, variation in numerical schemes and the use of different formulations for the governing equations [Diersch and Kolditz, 2002;Woods et al, 2003;Woods and Carey, 2007;Park and Aral, 2007;Al-Maktoumi et al, 2007]. More pertinently, using a bifurcation analysis based on a finite volume model, Johannsen [2003] demonstrated a consistent existence of three stable and a further eight unstable steady state solutions, significantly questioning the sensibility of using the Elder problem for benchmarking purposes.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Discretization effects have resulted from different mesh types and refinement levels. For the Elder problem, several researchers have found varying results on whether the central flow element is upwelling or downwelling due to changes in mesh resolution (Ackerer et al, 1999; Diersch and Kolditz, 2002; Kolditz et al, 1998; Oldenburg and Pruess, 1995; Park and Aral, 2007; Voss and Souza, 1987; Woods et al, 2003). Similar influences of mesh discretization on the speed of propagating density fingers and the number of these perturbations have been found with the salt lake problem as well (Diersch and Kolditz, 2002; Simmons et al, 1999; Wooding et al, 1997).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%