Groundwater Modeling: Selection of Computing Systems

by Kelly R. McIntosh, Woodward-Clyde Consultants Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA,
Gerard P. Lennon, Woodward-Clyde Consultants Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA,
Douglas B. Rumbaugh, Woodward-Clyde Consultants Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computing in Civil Engineering

Abstract:

Results are presented for ten microcomputer systems evaluated with respect to system performance in solving a test case three-dimensional groundwater flow problem. The model used was the MODULAR Three-Dimensional Finite-Difference Groundwater Flow Model developed by McDonald and Harbaugh, U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. For comparative purposes, the test case was run on a minicomputer and a mainframe. In addition to an evaluation of system performance, criteria are recommended for selection of a system adequate for specific modeling requirements. These criteria include maximum problem size, frequency and intensity of modeling efforts, system cost and system availability. Although a large capital investment in computer equipment increases the execution speed, the speed increase is not necessarily proportional to the investment, and the most cost-effective option should be selected.

Subject Headings: Three-dimensional models | Groundwater flow | Computer models | Three-dimensional flow | Comparative studies | Three-dimensional analysis | Mathematical models | Virginia | United States

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