ASTM_D_6170_-_97_2010.pdf

Designation:D617097(Reapproved 2010)Standard Guide forSelecting a Groundwater Modeling Code1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6170;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 a systematic approach to the determi-nation of the requirements for and the selection of computercodes used in a groundwater modeling project.Due to thecomplex nature of fluid flow and biotic and chemical transportin the subsurface,many different groundwater modeling codesexist,each having specific capabilities and limitations.Furthermore,a wide variety of situations may be encounteredin projects where groundwater models are used.Determiningthe most appropriate code for a particular application requiresa thorough analysis of the problem at hand and the required andavailable resources,as well as detailed description of thefunctionality of candidate codes.1.2 The code selection process described in this guideconsists of systematic analysis of project requirements andcareful evaluation of the match between project needs and thecapabilities of candidate codes.Insufficiently documentedcapabilities of candidate codes may require additional analysisof code functionality as part of the code selection process.Fig.1 is provided to assist with the determination of project needsin terms of code capabilities,and,if necessary,to determinecode capabilities.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,D5718,and D6025.1.4 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 professionaljudgement.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable inall circumstances.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.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 use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD5447 Guide forApplication of a Groundwater Flow Modelto a Site-Specific ProblemD5490 Guide for Comparing Groundwater Flow ModelSimulations to Site-Specific InformationD5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Ground-water Flow ModelingD5610 Guide for Defining Initial Conditions in GroundwaterFlow ModelingD5611 Guide for Conducting a Sensitivity Analysis for aGroundwater Flow Model ApplicationD5718 Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Flow ModelApplicationD6025 Guide for Developing and Evaluating GroundwaterModeling Codes3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 analytical modelin groundwater modeling,a modelthat uses closed form solutions to the governing equationsapplicable to groundwater flow and transport processes.3.1.2 code selectionthe process of choosing the appropri-ate computer code,algorithm,or other analysis techniquecapable of simulating those characteristics of the physicalsystem required to fulfill the modeling projects objective(s).3.1.3 computer code(computer program)assembly of nu-merical techniques,bookkeeping,and control language thatrepresents the model from acceptance of input data andinstructions to delivery of output.1This 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 D6170 97(2004).DOI:10.1520/D6170-97R10.2For 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 FIG.1 Checklist for Groundwater Modeling Needs and Code FunctionalityD6170 97(2010)2 FIG.1 Checklist for Groundwater Modeling Needs and Code Functionality(continued)D6170 97(2010)3 FIG.1 Checklist for Groundwater Modeling Needs and Code Functionality(continued)D6170 97(2010)4 FIG.1