Groundwater flow analyses in preliminary site investigations. Modelling strategy and computer codes

The analyses of groundwater flow comprised a part of the preliminary site investigations which were carried out by Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) for five areas in Finland during 1987 -1992. The main objective of the flow analyses was to characterize groundwater flow at the sites. The flow simulations were also used to identify and study uncertainties and inadequacies which are inherent in the results of earlier modelling phases. The flow analyses were performed for flow conditions similar to the present conditions. The modelling approach was based on the concept of an equivalent continuum. Each fracture zone and the rock matrix among the zones was, however, considered separately as a hydrogeologic unit. The numerical calculations were carried out with a computer code package, FEFLOW. The code is based upon the finite element method. With the code two- and one-dimensional elements can also be used by way of embedding them in a three-dimensional element mesh. A set of new algorithms was developed and employed to create element meshes for FEFLOW. The most useful program in the preliminary site investigations was PAAWI, which adds two-dimensional elements for fracture zones to an existing three-dimensional element mesh. The new algorithms reduced significantly the time required to create spatial discretization for complex geometries. Three element meshes were created for each site. The boundaries of the regional models coincide with those of the flow models. (55 refs., 40 figs., 1 tab.)