Evaluation of a Conducting-Paper Analog Field Plotter as an Aid in Solving Ground-Water Problems

Abstract

Simple and rapid solutions of complex ground-water flow problems are desirable, Known analogies with fluid flow offer a means to overcome difficult problems with relatively little effort. A potentiometric model called a conducting-paper analog field plotter was chosen to utilize the analogy between fluid flow and electric current conduction. Electrical theory and model experiments show that the plotter cannot be applied accurately to any three-dimensional, steady-state, ground-water flow problems, Two-dimensional studies can be accomplished readily with the plotter, but other devices will have to be utilized for radial flow problems.