4 Fluid Mechanics Considerations for Karst Aquifers

Two basic fluid mechanics topics are useful to address when considering flow in karst as compared with porous/granular and fractured aquifers. These are the conditions for laminar and turbulent flow for which the Reynolds number offers insight, and the character of flow in pipes and open channels.

This brief section provides basic fluid mechanics information important to concepts of flow in karst. It is not intended to provide the complete knowledge of fluid mechanics required for working on karst aquifers. The textbook most often cited on elementary fluid mechanics is authored by Vennard and Street (1975), whose first edition was published in 1940. It was the most popular fluid mechanics textbook used in the United States for many decades.