Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Civil Engineering

Random walk particle tracking (RWPT) has gained wide popularity in solving groundwater contaminant transport problem rather than the traditional numerical methods. This study aims to develop an efficient tool that can be used to model variable density groundwater flow equation utilizing the RWPT method. The developed model is verified by going through three stages at which the results are compared with SEAWAT software results. The first stage, test the model accuracy using different time steps and number of particles to reach a base case to be examined under many attributes using sensitivity analysis. The second stage, perform a sensitivity analysis using different values for many parameters, address the effect of spatial heterogeneity and apply the mass balance analysis. The third stage, apply the developed model to solve the well-established benchmark problem (Henry problem). The results show very good agreement and demonstrated that the developed algorithm works well. The verified model is then applied to simulate the saltwater intrusion problem in Amchitka island in southwest Alaska to test its applicability. The comparison between the developed model result and the available measured field data in the island site revealed very good performance and the model validity is proved

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