Laboratory hillslope experiments to assess rising limb hydrograph analysis

The objective of this project is to validate a new approach for the characterization of aquifers. Traditionally, the hydraulic properties of an aquifer are estimated through a base flow recession analysis. However, over the last coupleof years, a number of studies have shown that this approach can lead to errors in the obtained parameter values. Recently, a new approach has been demonstrated, in which the rising limb of a hydrograph is analyzed. In this project, this new algorithm will be validated through laboratory experiments. An artificial aquifer will be filled with material from a number of soil texture classes, and will be replenished with a number of different rainfall rates and under a number of different slopes. The conditions under which the new theory is valid will be assessed through these laboratory experiments.

Supervisors

• Remko Uijlenhoet (HWM)

• Valentijn Pauwels (University of Ghent)