title: Nonlinear flow in karst formations.
abstract: The variation of effective hydraulic conductivity as a function of specific discharge in several 0.2-m and 0.3-m cubes of Key Largo Limestone was investigated. The experimental results closely match the Forchheimer equation. Defining the pore-size length scale in terms of Forchheimer parameters, it is demonstrated that significant deviations from Darcian flow will occur when the Reynolds number exceeds 0.11. A particular threshold model previously proposed for use in karstic formations does not show strong agreement with the data near the onset of nonlinear flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. dchin@miami.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: René M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Vincent J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: DiFrenna
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014872:Water Movements