SEEP/W is a finite element CAD software product for analyzing groundwater
seepage and excess pore-water pressure dissipation problems within porous
materials such as soil and rock. Its comprehensive formulation allows you to
consider analyses ranging from simple, saturated steady-state problems to
sophisticated, saturated/unsaturated time-dependent problems. SEEP/W can be
applied to the analysis and design of geotechnical, civil, hydrogeological, and
mining engineering projects.
SEEP/W can model both saturated and unsaturated flow, a feature that greatly
broadens the range of problems that can be analyzed. In addition to traditional
steady-state saturated flow analysis, the saturated/unsaturated formulation of
SEEP/W makes it possible to analyze seepage as a function of time and to
consider such processes as the infiltration of precipitation. The transient
feature allows you to analyze such problems as the migration of a wetting front
and the dissipation of excess pore-water pressure.
Easy to Use
Defining a Seepage/Air flow Model
Beginning an analysis is as simple as defining the geometry by drawing regions
and lines that identify soil layers, or by importing a DXF™ file. Then
graphically apply boundary conditions and specify material properties. Material
properties can be estimated from easily measured parameters like grain-size,
saturated conductivity, saturated water content, and the air-entry value.
Viewing the Analysis Results
Once you have solved your seepage analysis, SEEP/W offers many tools for viewing
results. Generate contours or x-y plots of any computed parameter, such as head,
pressure, gradient, velocity, and conductivity. Velocity vectors show flow
direction and rate. Transient conditions can be shown as a changing water table
over time. Interactively query computed values by clicking on any node, Gauss
region, or flux section. Then prepare the results for your report by adding
labels, axes, and pictures, or export the results into other applications such
as Microsoft® Excel® for further analysis.
Typical Applications
SEEP/W can model almost any groundwater problem, including:
- Dissipation of excess pore pressure after reservoir drawdown
- Changes in pore-water pressure conditions within earth slopes due to
infiltration of precipitation
- Mounding of the groundwater table beneath water retention structures
such as lagoons and tailings ponds
- Effect of subsurface drains and injection wells
- Drawdown of a water table due to pumping from an aquifer
- Seepage flow quantities into excavations
- Use AIR/W and
consider the true matric suction (Ua-Uw) mechanisms
- Integrate with TEMP/W and
consider flow in freezing and thawing soils
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plus many more!