https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20135003002
TRAC, a collaborative computer tool for tracer-test interpretation
1 BRGM, Service Eau, BP. 36009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
2 Université d'Orléans, Université Fran ç ois Rabelais – Tours, CNRS/INSU, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans – UMR 6113, Polytech'Orléans, 45072 Orléans Cedex 2, France
3 Université d'Orléans, CETRAHE, (CEllule R&D d'Expertise et de TRAnsfert en TRA ç ages Appliqués à l'Hydrogéologie et à l'Environnement), 45072 Orléans Cedex 2, France
4 EDREE Parc des Aulnaies, 84 rue du Beuvron, 45160 Olivet, France
5 Institut EGID, Bordeaux 3 - 1, allée F. Daguin, 33607 Pessac Cedex, France
6 Software development. circular@operamail.com
a e-mail: e-mail: a.gutierrez@brgm.fr
Artificial tracer tests are widely used by consulting engineers for demonstrating water circulation, proving the existence of leakage, or estimating groundwater velocity. However, the interpretation of such tests is often very basic, with the result that decision makers and professionals commonly face unreliable results through hasty and empirical interpretation. There is thus an increasing need for a reliable interpretation tool, compatible with the latest operating systems and available in several languages. BRGM, the French Geological Survey, has developed a project together with hydrogeologists from various other organizations to build software assembling several analytical solutions in order to comply with various field contexts. This computer program, called TRAC, is very light and simple, allowing the user to add his own analytical solution if the formula is not yet included. It aims at collaborative improvement by sharing the tool and the solutions. TRAC can be used for interpreting data recovered from a tracer test as well as for simulating the transport of a tracer in the saturated zone (for the time being). Calibration of a site operation is based on considering the hydrodynamic and hydrodispersive features of groundwater flow as well as the amount, nature and injection mode of the artificial tracer. The software is available in French, English and Spanish, and the latest version can be downloaded from the web site http://trac.brgm.fr.
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2013
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
