ASTM D6170-17
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selecting a Groundwater Modeling Code
Standard Guide for Selecting a Groundwater Modeling Code
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Groundwater modeling has become an important methodology in support of the planning and decision-making processes involved in groundwater management. Groundwater models provide an analytical framework for obtaining an understanding of the mechanisms and controls of groundwater systems and the processes that influence their quality, especially those caused by human intervention in such systems. Increasingly, models are an integral part of water resources assessment, protection, and restoration studies, and provide needed and cost-effective support for planning and screening of alternative policies, regulations, and engineering designs affecting groundwater.4
4.2 Many different groundwater modeling codes are available, each with their own capabilities, operational characteristics and limitations. Furthermore, each groundwater project has its own requirements with respect to modeling. Therefore, it is important that the most appropriate code is selected for a particular project. This is even more important for projects that require extensive modeling, or where costly decisions are based, in part, on the outcome of modeling-based analysis.
4.3 Systematic and comprehensive description of project requirements and code features provides the necessary basis for efficient selection of a groundwater modeling code. This standard guide is intended to encourage comprehensive and consistent description of code capabilities and code requirements in the code selection process, as well as thorough documentation of the code selection process.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers a systematic approach to the determination of the requirements for and the selection of computer codes used in a groundwater modeling project. Due to the complex nature of fluid flow and biotic and chemical transport in the subsurface, many different groundwater modeling codes exist, each having specific capabilities and limitations. Furthermore, a wide variety of situations may be encountered in projects where groundwater models are used. Determining the most appropriate code for a particular application requires a thorough analysis of the problem at hand and the required and available resources, as well as detailed description of the functionality of candidate codes.
1.2 The code selection process described in this guide consists of systematic analysis of project requirements and careful evaluation of the match between project needs and the capabilities of candidate codes. Insufficiently documented capabilities of candidate codes may require additional analysis of code functionality as part of the code selection process. Fig. 1 is provided to assist with the determination of project needs in terms of code capabilities, and, if necessary, to determine code capabilities.
1.3 This guide is one of a series of guides on groundwater modeling codes and their applications, such as Guides D5447, D5490, D5609, D5610, D5611, D5718, and D6025.
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6170 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
Selecting a Groundwater Modeling Code
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6170; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This guide covers a systematic approach to the determi-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nation of the requirements for and the selection of computer
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
codes used in a groundwater modeling project. Due to the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
complex nature of fluid flow and biotic and chemical transport
in the subsurface, many different groundwater modeling codes
2. Referenced Documents
exist, each having specific capabilities and limitations.
2
Furthermore, a wide variety of situations may be encountered 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
in projects where groundwater models are used. Determining
the most appropriate code for a particular application requires Fluids
D5447 Guide forApplication of a Groundwater Flow Model
athoroughanalysisoftheproblemathandandtherequiredand
available resources, as well as detailed description of the to a Site-Specific Problem
D5490 Guide for Comparing Groundwater Flow Model
functionality of candidate codes.
Simulations to Site-Specific Information
1.2 The code selection process described in this guide
D5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Ground-
consists of systematic analysis of project requirements and
water Flow Modeling
careful evaluation of the match between project needs and the
D5610 GuideforDefiningInitialConditionsinGroundwater
capabilities of candidate codes. Insufficiently documented
Flow Modeling
capabilities of candidate codes may require additional analysis
D5611 Guide for Conducting a Sensitivity Analysis for a
of code functionality as part of the code selection process. Fig.
Groundwater Flow Model Application
1 is provided to assist with the determination of project needs
D5718 Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Flow Model
in terms of code capabilities, and, if necessary, to determine
Application
code capabilities.
D6025 Guide for Developing and Evaluating Groundwater
3
1.3 This guide is one of a series of guides on groundwater
Modeling Codes (Withdrawn 2017)
modeling codes and their applications, such as Guides D5447,
D5490, D5609, D5610, D5611, D5718, and D6025.
3. Terminology
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information
3.1 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
Terminology D653.
course of action. This guide cannot replace education or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
3.2.1 analytical model—in groundwater modeling, a model
judgement. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in
that uses closed form solutions to the governing equations
all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or
applicable to groundwater flow and transport processes.
replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given
3.2.2 code selection—the process of choosing the appropri-
professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be
ate computer code, algorithm, or other analysis technique
applied without consideration of a project’s many unique
capable of simulating those characteristics of the physical
aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document
system to fulfill the modeling project’s objective(s).
means only that the document has been approved through the
ASTM consensus process.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Vadose Zone Investigations. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2017. Published January 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D6170 – 97 (2010). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D6170-17. www.as
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6170 − 97 (Reapproved 2010) D6170 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
Selecting a Groundwater Modeling Code
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6170; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This guide covers a systematic approach to the determination of the requirements for and the selection of computer codes
used in a groundwater modeling project. Due to the complex nature of fluid flow and biotic and chemical transport in the
subsurface, many different groundwater modeling codes exist, each having specific capabilities and limitations. Furthermore, a
wide variety of situations may be encountered in projects where groundwater models are used. Determining the most appropriate
code for a particular application requires a thorough analysis of the problem at hand and the required and available resources, as
well as detailed description of the functionality of candidate codes.
1.2 The code selection process described in this guide consists of systematic analysis of project requirements and careful
evaluation of the match between project needs and the capabilities of candidate codes. Insufficiently documented capabilities of
candidate codes may require additional analysis of code functionality as part of the code selection process. Fig. 1 is provided to
assist with the determination of project needs in terms of code capabilities, and, if necessary, to determine code capabilities.
1.3 This guide is one of a series of guides on groundwater modeling codes and their applications, such as Guides D5447, D5490,
D5609, D5610, D5611, D5718, and D6025.
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course
of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not
all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard
of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without
consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document
has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D5447 Guide for Application of a Groundwater Flow Model to a Site-Specific Problem
D5490 Guide for Comparing Groundwater Flow Model Simulations to Site-Specific Information
D5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Groundwater Flow Modeling
D5610 Guide for Defining Initial Conditions in Groundwater Flow Modeling
D5611 Guide for Conducting a Sensitivity Analysis for a Groundwater Flow Model Application
D5718 Guide for Documenting a Groundwater Flow Model Application
3
D6025 Guide for Developing and Evaluating Groundwater Modeling Codes (Withdrawn 2017)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Vadose
Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010Jan. 1, 2017. Published September 2010January 2017. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20042010
as D6170 – 97 (2004).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D6170-97R10.10.1520/D6170-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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