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2026 Vol.36, Issue 1

Technical Note

Evaluation of Analysis Approaches for Recovery Data Following Pumping Tests in Fractured Rock

암반 양수시험-회복자료 분석 방안 검토

Hangbok Lee1
,
Jung-Wook Park1
,
Eui-Seob Park2
,
Chan Park1*
이 항복1
,
박 정욱1
,
박 의섭2
,
박 찬1*
1Principal Researcher, Deep Geological Disposal and Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
2Leader, Deep Geological Disposal and Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
1한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 책임연구원
2한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 센터장
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2026. pp. 1-20
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Abstract

This report reviews key recovery analysis methods for interpreting drawdown recovery data following pumping tests conducted in fractured bedrock. Pumping tests are widely used for characterizing fractured aquifers, employing diagnostic plots to enhance the conceptual understanding of groundwater flow systems and to estimate hydraulic parameters. Recovery testing involves measuring the water level rebound in pumping and observation wells after the termination of pumping and is particularly useful under field conditions where precise control of discharge rates is difficult. Traditionally, recovery data have been analyzed based on the Theis recovery method, which has provided the foundation for various extended analytical approaches. While these methods offer reliable estimates of effective transmissivity, they are limited in providing specific insights into the conceptual flow models of fractured aquifers. Agarwal introduced an analysis technique capable of incorporating both early and late time hydraulic responses using recovery data. This method has since become a standard approach in both hydrogeological and petroleum reservoir engineering fields. The Agarwal method transforms recovery curves into equivalent drawdown curves under constant-rate pumping, thereby enhancing the accuracy of parameter estimation and contributing to the identification of appropriate conceptual flow models. This report examines case studies where the Agarwal method was applied to pumping-recovery test data, evaluating its applicability for interpreting limited and uncertain test results under complex, non-ideal flow conditions. The findings suggest that the Agarwal approach holds significant potential as an effective analytical tool for improving the accuracy of hydraulic characterization in fractured rock environments.

Keywords
Pumping test
Recovery data
Rock aquifer
Hydraulic response
Agarwal method

본 보고에서는 암반 내에서 수행된 양수시험 이후 회복자료를 분석하기 위한 회복해석 기법에 대해 검토하였다. 암반대수층 특성화를 위한 양수시험은 진단 플롯을 활용하여 암반 지하수계에 대한 개념적 이해를 도모하고, 수리상수를 추정하기 위한 목적으로 수행한다. 회복시험은 양수 종료 후, 양수공 및 관측공에서의 수위회복 반응을 측정하는 방식으로 이루어지며, 특히 정확한 양수 유량 제어가 어려운 현장 상황에서 유용하게 활용될 수 있다. 전통적으로 회복시험은 Theis 회복해석법을 기반으로 발전해왔으며, 이를 바탕으로 다양한 해석 기법들이 도입되어 왔다. 이들 분석법은 유효 투수도에 대한 신뢰성 있는 추정을 가능하게 하지만, 암반대수층의 개념적 수리 유동 모델에 대한 구체적인 정보는 제공하지 못하는 한계가 존재한다. Agarwal은 회복 데이터를 기반으로 초기 및 후기 수리반응을 모두 반영하는 해석 기법을 제안했으며, 현재는 암반수리지질 및 석유 산업 분야에서 표준 해석 분석법으로 널리 활용되고 있다. 이 분석법은 회복곡선을 일정 유량 조건 하의 등가 양수곡선으로 변환하여 재현함으로써, 우수한 수리상수 추정 결과를 제공할 뿐만 아니라, 개념적 유동 모델의 설정과 해석에도 효과적으로 기여할 수 있다. 본 보고에서는 Agarwal 분석법을 적용한 양수-회복시험 사례를 검토하여, 복잡하고 비이상적인 유동 조건 하에서 수집된 제한적이고 불확실성을 내포한 수리시험 자료의 해석 가능성과 활용성을 평가하였다. 이를 통해, 암반의 수리특성 평가 정확도를 향상시키기 위한 해석 기법으로서의 Agarwal 분석법의 적용 가능성을 검토하고자 한다.

키워드
양수시험
회복자료
암반대수층
수리반응
Agarwal 분석법
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국암반공학회
  • Journal Title :Tunnel and Underground Space
  • Journal Title(Ko) :터널과 지하공간
  • Volume : 36
  • No :1
  • Pages :1-20
  • Received Date : 2026-01-07
  • Revised Date : 2026-02-05
  • Accepted Date : 2026-02-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7474/TUS.2026.36.1.001
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