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Modeling Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flows by the Body-Fitted Coordinate (BFC) Method: I. Stationary Boundary Problems

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Abstract

Based on the body-fitted coordinate (BFC) method, a three-dimensional finite difference computer code, BFC3DGW, was developed to simulate groundwater flow problems. Methodology and solution procedures of the BFC method for simulating groundwater flows, particularly when the flow domain is stationary as in the case of confined aquifers, are described. The code was verified by comparing numerical results with analytical solutions for well-flow problems in an isosceles right-triangular aquifer. An example simulation is made to demonstrate capability of the code for solving flow problems in anisotropic aquifers where directions of anisotropy change continuously. The method differs from the conventional finite difference method (FDM) in the ability to use a flexible, nonorthogonal, and body-fitted grid. The main advantages of the method are the convenience of grid generation, the simplified implementation of boundary conditions, and the capability to construct a generalized computer code which can be consistently applied to problem domains of any shape.

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Koo, MH., Leap, D.I. Modeling Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flows by the Body-Fitted Coordinate (BFC) Method: I. Stationary Boundary Problems. Transport in Porous Media 30, 217–239 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006564826945

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