Standard guideline for the geostatistical estimation and block-averaging of homogeneous and isotropic saturated hydraulic conductivity

Description

This standard guideline is the third in a series of standards that enhances the probabilistic characterization and understanding of the behavior of a key groundwater parameter, the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The geostatistical estimation and block-averaging of the saturated hydraulic conductivity find numerous applications in applied groundwater hydrology. Noteworthy are the characterization of the spatial distribution of saturated hydraulic conductivity and the specification of averaged values of saturated hydraulic conductivity over volumes of aquifer, or blocks, for the purpose of groundwater flow model calibration. The geostatistical approach takes advantage of this spatial statistical structure, providing relatively simple results, and makes it easy to implement in the field when required conditions are met. This standard, along with ASCE/EWRI 50-08 and ASCE/EWRI 51-08, will be useful to environmental engineers, water resources engineers, and anyone who uses hydraulics in engineering