AIR/W 2012 air flow analysis.

AIR/W is a finite element CAD software product for analyzing groundwater-air interaction problems within porous materials such as soil and rock. Its comprehensive formulation allows you to consider analyses ranging from simple, saturated steady-state problems to sophisticated, saturated/unsaturated time-dependent problems. AIR/W can be applied to the analysis and design of geotechnical, civil, hydrogeological, and mining engineering projects.

AIR/W can be applied to both saturated and unsaturated zones, a feature that greatly broadens the range of problems that can be analyzed. In addition to traditional steady-state water flow assumptions where the air contents are fixed, the saturated/unsaturated formulation of AIR/W makes it possible to analyze air flow and seepage as a function of time and to consider such processes as changing air and water contents. When linked with TEMP/W, it can account for air and water flow in freezing and thawing soils where the air density changes due to temperature changes.

Easy to Use

Defining a Seepage/Air flow Model

Beginning an analysis is as simple as defining the geometry by drawing regions and lines that identify soil layers, or by importing a DXF™ file. Then graphically apply boundary conditions and specify material properties. Then graphically apply boundary conditions and specify material properties. Material properties can be estimated from easily measured parameters like grain-size, saturated conductivity, saturated water content, and the air-entry value.

Viewing the Analysis Results

Once you have solved your seepage problem, AIR/W offers many tools for viewing results. Generate contours or x-y plots of any computed parameter, such as head, pressures, matric suction, gradients, velocities, and conductivities. Air or water velocity vectors show flow direction and rate. Transient conditions can be shown as a changing water table over time. Interactively query computed values by clicking on any node, Gauss region, or flux section. Then prepare the results for your report by adding labels, axes, and pictures, or export the results into other applications such as Microsoft® Excel® for further analysis.

Typical Applications

AIR/W can model almost any groundwater problem, including:

Soil vapor extraction systems
Air pressure in tunnels for support and water inflow control
Air pressure response ahead of water infiltration fronts
Thermal / density dependent air flow that contributes to convective heat transfer in freezing / thawing soils (when coupled with TEMP/W)
The true matric suction (Ua-Uw) phenomenon
plus many more!

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