Hydraulic Gradient Calculator

Created by Rahul Dhari
Reviewed by Steven Wooding
Last updated: Jun 05, 2023


The hydraulic gradient calculator helps you determine the magnitude and direction of the water flow. It is a hydrogeological concept and is helpful in determining groundwater movement. You can also track the flow of contaminants using the same hydraulic gradient that causes the water to move or flow. You can also use the value of the hydraulic gradient in the hydraulic conductivity calculator to find out how much water flows through the soil.

The present article will briefly explain what a hydraulic gradient is and how to calculate a hydraulic gradient.

Hydraulic gradient formula

Before we get to the formula for hydraulic gradient, let's look at the hydraulic gradient.

The hydraulic gradient is the ratio of hydraulic head difference and the distance between two sample points (see distance calculator). In simple words, it tells us how the hydraulic head changes over a certain distance. If you plot the hydraulic head vs. distance on a graph, the hydraulic gradient is the slope of the line (cf. slope calculator). One can also define it as the change in water level per unit distance.

A hydraulic gradient is a vector quantity whose sign, or direction denotes the movement of water, i.e., if the sign is negative, it means the water flow is downwards. Whereas a positive hydraulic gradient signifies that the flow is upwards. For the heads, h1h_1 and h2h_2 at two points over a distance ll, the hydraulic gradient, hgh_g is:

hg=h1h2lh_g = \frac{h_1 - h_2}{l}
Change in head across a distance L is observable using hydraulic gradient.
Change in head across a distance L is observable using hydraulic gradient.

How to calculate hydraulic gradient

Find the hydraulic gradient if the heads are 5 and 14 meters at points 1 and 2, respectively. The distance between the two points is 9 meters.

To calculate hydraulic gradient:

  1. Enter the head at point 1, h1=5 mh_1 = 5 \text{ m} .
  2. Insert the head at point 2, h2=14 mh_2 = 14 \text{ m}.
  3. The calculator will return the change in head, Δh=9 m\Delta h = -9 \text{ m}.
  4. Fill in the distance between points 1 and 2, l=9 ml = 9 \text{ m}.
  5. The hydraulic gradient calculator will return the answer as:
Hg=h1h2l=5149=1\small \begin{align*} \qquad H_g &= \frac{h_1 - h_2}{l} \\\\ &= \frac{5 - 14}{9} = -1 \end{align*}

The answer 1 m/m-1 \text{ m/m} implies the hydraulic head decreased 1 m1 \text{ m} for every meter of distance from the point 1 and the water flow is downwards.

FAQ

What do you mean by hydraulic gradient?

The hydraulic gradient is the ratio of change in the hydraulic head and the distance between two points. It is a vector, and the direction of hydraulic gradient or head gradient gives you the direction of water movement while the magnitude tells us the significance.

How do I calculate hydraulic gradient?

To calculate hydraulic gradient:

  1. Find the hydraulic heads, h₁, and h₂.
  2. Find the difference between hydraulic heads, Δh.
  3. Divide the difference by the distance between the two points to obtain the hydraulic gradient. Mathematically, this is: h_g = (h₁ - h₂)/L.

What do you mean by positive hydraulic gradient?

A positive hydraulic gradient denotes an upwards flow whereas the negative hydraulic head gradient implies the flow is downwards. The sign tells us the movement of water in aquifers and underground. It is also helpful to draw potentiometer surface maps for areas of interest.

What is the hydraulic gradient if the head varies 5 m over the length of 10 m?

The hydraulic gradient for the given condition is 0.5 m/m. The variation or difference in head is 5 m, i.e., Δh = 5 m, and the distance between two points is 10 m. Mathematically:

h_g = Δh/L = 5 / 10 = 0.5 m.

Rahul Dhari
Head at point 1 (h₁)
ft
Head at point 2 (h₂)
ft
Change in head (Δh)
ft
Distance (l)
ft
Hydraulic gradient (hg)
Check out 44 similar fluid mechanics calculators 💧
API gravityArchimedes' principleBernoulli equation… 41 more
People also viewed…

Chilled drink

With the chilled drink calculator, you can quickly check how long you need to keep your drink in the fridge or another cold place to have it at its optimal temperature. You can follow how the temperature changes with time with our interactive graph.

Coriolis effect

The Coriolis effect calculator can find the inertial force acting on moving objects in a rotating reference frame.

Mixed air

Use this mixed air calculator to determine the properties of the mixed air stream without using a psychrometric chart.

Podcasts

Do you feel like you could be doing something more productive or educational while on a bus? Or while cleaning the house? Well, why don't you dive into the rich world of podcasts! With this podcast calculator, we'll work out just how many great interviews or fascinating stories you can go through by reclaiming your 'dead time'!
Copyright by Omni Calculator sp. z o.o.
Privacy, Cookies & Terms of Service