Coupled and uncoupled poroelastic solutions to land subsidence due to
groundwater withdrawal
G. Gambolati, M. Putti, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
Coupled and uncoupled finite element solutions to
predict land subsidence
due to groundwater withdrawal are presented and discussed for a realistic
pumped aquifer system with hydrogeological properties typical of the
unconsolidated Quaternary sediments of the Po river plain in Italy.
The results show that both pressure drawdown and land settlement are almost
insensitive to coupling between the three-dimensional flow and stress fields. By
distinction, the horizontal displacements at the ground surface exhibit
a limited difference, with the uncoupled solution approaching faster the
ultimate steady state value at some distance from the pumping well.
