Simulation of Groundwater Flow in an Aquiclude for Designing a Drainage System during Urban Construction: A Case Study in Madrid, Spain

Joaquín Sanz de Ojeda, Eugenio Sanz, Francisco Javier Elorza, Cesar Sanz Riaguas and Manuel de Pazos Liaño
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Joaquín Sanz de Ojeda: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c de Ríos Rosas, 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Eugenio Sanz: Laboratorio de Geología, Departamento de Ingeniería y Morfología del Terreno, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c Profesor Aranguren s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Francisco Javier Elorza: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c de Ríos Rosas, 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Cesar Sanz Riaguas: Desarrollos Logísticos y Fomento de Suelo S.L. (DELFOS), c. de Narvaez, 15, 28009 Madrid, Spain
Manuel de Pazos Liaño: Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Área de Gobierno de Obras y Equipamientos, Dirección General del Espacio Público, Obras e Infraestructuras, Subdirección General de Control de la Urbanización, c Montalbán, 1, 28014 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: A detailed hydrogeological study was carried out due to the recent occurrence of unexpected problems associated with the flooding of the water table during excavations in the area of a major urbanization work in Madrid. The numerous exploratory drilling excavations carried out allowed for the development of a conceptual model of the complex hydrogeological functioning in clay formations in an urban area. The clays have very little natural recharge, and the underground flow is highly conditioned by the topography and a fold-fault. Modelling with MODDFLOW confirmed and quantified this conceptual model and also allowed for the design of an efficient network of 1.5 km-long drainage trenches. The design of this drainage network was influenced by the difficult balance that must be respected in order not to contaminate the water with sulphates from the nearby gypsum substrate. This is to guarantee the quantitative and qualitative sustainability of the groundwater. The follow-up and monitoring of the water tables and the quality of the groundwater for more than a year after the excavation of the drainage trenches guaranteed the results of the research.

Keywords: Spain; urban groundwater; conceptual model; numerical modelling; groundwater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1526-:d:491196

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