Maintaining a careful balance between mathematical rigor and the physical aspects of groundwater movement, this senior undergraduate- and graduate-level environmental engineering text covers the topic from theory to practice. Avoiding unnecessary mathematical subtleties and oversimplifications of qualitative descriptions, the book assumes calculus knowledge generally acquired during the first two semesters at a university, while further developing the skills needed for the analysis of groundwater movement. Featuring numerous illustrations and worked examples, the text also makes an excellent professional reference for engineers, geologists, and hydrologists.

Provides a Balance between the Mathematical and Physical Aspects and the Engineering Applications

Written for engineering and science students, Mechanics of Groundwater in Porous Media explains groundwater from both a mathematical and qualitative standpoint. The book builds up the theory of groundwater flow starting from basic physics and geometric intuition, and on to applied practice through real-world engineering problems. It includes graphical illustrations as well as solved illustrative problems throughout the text.

The book starts off by introducing the overall picture of groundwater, its relationship with the hydrological cycle, and other terminology used in the mechanics of groundwater flow though porous means. It presents a synopsis of basic definitions, concepts, and the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and soil mechanics, which are necessary prerequisites for an adequate understanding of the book’s core material. The engineering applications are deducted from geometric and physical reasoning, with a minimum use of mathematical abstraction.

Mechanics of Groundwater in Porous Media is written primarily to serve as a textbook for senior undergraduate and upper-level graduate students in civil and environmental engineering, environmental science, hydrogeology, and geology, as well as a resource for practicing engineers.