A Galerkin‐finite element technique for calculating the transient position of the saltwater front

Abstract

The set of nonlinear partial differential equations that describe the movement of the saltwater front in a coastal aquifer is solved by the Galerkin‐finite element method. Pressure and velocities are obtained simultaneously in order to guarantee continuity of velocities between elements. A layered aquifer is modeled either with a functional representation of permeability or by a constant value of permeability over each element.