A Simulation-optimization approach for identifying the aquifer parameter zone structures

Abstract

In this study, a simulation-optimization approach is proposed for identifying the parameters and the corresponding parameter structures of the aquifer systems based on the inverse modeling approach. The proposed approach simulates the flow process on aquifer system by means of the MODFLOW model. The parameter structure identification process is handled by considering the zonation approach in the simulation part. This MODFLOW based simulation model is then integrated to the optimization model where heuristic differential evolution (DE) optimization approach is used. The objective of the DE based optimization model is to determine the shape of the parameter zone structures together with the corresponding transmissivity values. The applicability of the proposed approach is evaluated by solving a benchmark application in literature. Identified results indicated that the proposed simulation-optimization approach can effectively capture the true transmissivity field by using the limited number of hydraulic head observations. © 2023 IAHR – International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research.