ASTM_D_6171_-_97_2010.pdf

Designation:D617197(Reapproved 2010)Standard Guide forDocumenting a Groundwater Modeling Code1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6171;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers suggested components of the docu-mentation of a groundwater modeling code.Documentation ofa groundwater modeling code consists of textual and graphicalinformation recorded during its design,development,andmaintenance regarding its capabilities,development history,theoretical foundation,operation,and verification.It is theprincipal instrument for those involved in its development anduse,such as code development and maintenance staff,networkmanagers,code users,and project managers,to communicateregarding all aspects of the software.1.2 This guide presents the major steps in preparing thedocumentation of a groundwater modeling code.It discussesthe various documentation audiences and addresses the role ofprinted documentation versus documentation in electronicform.1.3 This guide is one of a series of guides on groundwatermodeling codes and their applications,such as Guides D5447,D5490,D5609,D5610,D5611,and D5718.1.4 This guide is not intended to be all inclusive.If offers aseries of options and considerations,but does not specify acourse of action.Documenting certain codes may requiresupplemental information or replacement of documentationsections by more appropriate elements.This guide should notbe used as a sole criterion or basis of comparison,and does notreplace or relieve professional judgement in preparing orevaluating documentation of groundwater modeling software.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to its use.1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of informationor a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action.This guide cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction with professionaljudgment.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances.This guide is not intended to represent orreplace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a givenprofessional service must be judged,nor should this guide beapplied without consideration of a projects many uniqueaspects.The word“Standard”in the title of this documentmeans only that the document has been approved through theASTM consensus process.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD5447 Guide for Application of a Ground-Water FlowModel to a Site-Specific ProblemD5490 Guide for Comparing Ground-Water Flow ModelSimulations to Site-Specific InformationD5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Ground-Water Flow ModelingD5610 Guide for Defining Initial Conditions in Ground-Water Flow ModelingD5611 Guide for Conducting a Sensitivity Analysis for aGround-Water Flow Model ApplicationD5718 Guide for Documenting a Ground-Water Flow ModelApplication3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 computer code(computer program)the assembly ofnumerical techniques,bookkeeping,and control language thatrepresents the model from acceptance of input data andinstructions to delivery of output.3.1.2 functionalityof a groundwater modeling code,theset of functions and features the code offers the user in terms ofmodel framework geometry,simulated processes,boundaryconditions,and analytical and operational capabilities.3.1.3 groundwater modeling codethe non-parameterizedcomputer code used in groundwater modeling to represent a1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater andVadose Zone Investigations.Current edition approved July 1,2010.Published September 2010.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D617197(2004).DOI:10.1520/D6171-97R10.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 non-unique,simplified mathematical description of the physi-cal framework,geometry,active processes,and boundaryconditions present in a reference subsurface hydrologic system.3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide,seeTerminology D653.4.Significance and Use4.1 Groundwater modeling has become an important meth-o