MODFLOW
MODFLOW is the U.S. Geological Survey modular finite-difference flow model, which is a
computer code that solves the groundwater flow equation. The program is used
by hydrogeologists to simulate the flow of groundwater through aquifers. The source
code is free public domain software, written primarily in Fortran, and can compile and run
on Microsoft Windows or Unix-like operating systems.
Widely used ground-water flow simulation program that runs on any platform (Windows,
Sun, Unix, Linux,).
Mostly written in standard FORTRAN (GMG is C++)
Solves the ground-water flow equation with different possible properties, boundary
conditions, and initial conditions
First version, 1983, McDonald and Harbaugh. Written to serve USGS needs. Education
emphasized.
MODFLOW escaped!
Public domain (Free)
Open source (Anyone can check and change the source code)
Changed versions are sometimes commercial – it’s up to the developer
Well documented
Modularly constructed (More later)
Latest version: MODFLOW-2005 (Harbaugh, 2005)
VISUAL MODFLOW AND ITS APPLICATION
Universal use of Visual MODFLOW groundwater modeling has been well accepted and well
documented in many research journals. Visual MODFLOW interface has been specifically
designed to increase modeling productivity and decrease complexities typically associated with
building three-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport models.
The interface is divided into three separate modules, the input module, the Run Module, and the
output Module. Visual MODFLOW is one of the most popular groundwater modeling software
package which bears a number of proven standards. It has several professional applications like:
Evaluate Groundwater Remediation Systems
Delineate Well Capture Zones
Estimate the reductive Dechlorinating of TCE, PCE and DCE in Groundwater
Design and optimize
pumping well Locations for Dewatering Projects
Determine Contaminant Fate and Exposure Pathways for Risk Assessment.
Visual MODFLOW simulates groundwater flow in aquifer systems using block centered finite
difference method. In this method, an aquifer system is divided into rectangle blocks by a grid.
The grid of blocks is organized by rows, columns and layers and each block is commonly called
a cell. For each cell within the volume of the aquifer system, aquifer properties and information
related to wells, rivers and other inflow and outflow features are specified. MODFLOW uses the
input to construct and solve equations of groundwater flow in the aquifer system.
Advantages
Mold flow analysis simulation software is a valuable tool that aids in bringing quality parts to
market on time and on budget. Simulation software is an essential tool in the development of
complicated 3D part designs and also helps to predict the effects on quality of making existing
products lighter and thinner. Although simulation software will not produce results with 100%
accuracy it will stop you from making some huge mistakes
There are a number of benefits in using mold flow analysis software.
Time and cost saver.
New part designs can be analyzed immediately for manufacturability. In the past there was a risk
that flaws in part designs would not be noticed until a mold tool was made. Changes in part and
mold design at this stage would be expensive and time consuming.
The software will predict potential quality issues in the part such as flow lines, weld lines, deep
under cuts, inadequate draft angles, and warpage and sink marks. This means that part design
changes can be made immediately to address these issues with little time and cost.
Injection mold designs can also be analyzed for potential flaws before mold building. One
example of this is with family molds in which the runners can be sized so that balanced filling
will be achieved eliminating part quality issues resulting from uneven fill times.
It can be applied to both new and existing part designs.
While it is common to use on new 3D part designs with complicated shapes it can also be used
on existing simple parts such as round lids to predict the effect on part quality and molding
conditions to changes in wall thickness.
The current trend in the injection molding industry is to make products lighter & thinner to save
material cost but this makes molding quality parts more difficult. Knowing these effects before
making costly changes to existing part designs, mold designs or machine requirements can save a
huge amount of time and stress.
Predicting Molding Machine Requirements.
Knowing the machine size in advance allows part costs to be calculated since larger machines
cost more than smaller machines to operate. This also helps with machine scheduling and
planning.
Troubleshooting.
Mold flow analysis software can be used to find solutions to existing parts with quality issues
such as warpage.
Disadvantages
To get accurate results from a simulation, the information fed into the software must be
accurate.
Simulation software packages have the behavioral characteristics of thousands of plastic
materials in mathematical form. This information is derived in a laboratory using a
number of tests and includes the use of injection molding machinery to make test samples
for analysis.
The tests will give data about a particular materials behavior during the filling and
packing stage of the molding process. The tests will also show shrinkage and warpage
characteristics.
So the bottom line is use the same material data for the simulation that is to be used in
production.
But what do you do if it is not available in the software package?
A sample of the material needs to be sent to the laboratory and tested. This can cost
thousands of dollars and take weeks analyze. This is one of the disadvantages of
simulation software.
Another issue to consider is the meshing. Meshing is used to break up the 3D computer
model of the part into a number of small triangles before the simulation process can be
done. The smaller the triangles the more accurate the results but the longer the calculating
time and the higher the cost. So a balance must be struck between time and accuracy.
