Hydraulic Gradient Calculator
Calculate the hydraulic gradient with CalcPeak’s free Hydraulic Gradient Calculator!
Hydraulic Gradient Calculator
Please enter valid numbers for heads and distance.
How to Calculate Hydraulic Gradient
The hydraulic gradient is the slope of the hydraulic head between two points, indicating the direction and rate of groundwater flow. It is calculated as the difference in hydraulic head divided by the distance between the points.
Formula: \\( i = \frac{h_1 – h_2}{L} \\)
Where:
– \\( i \\) = Hydraulic gradient (dimensionless)
– \\( h_1 \\) = Hydraulic head at point 1 (m)
– \\( h_2 \\) = Hydraulic head at point 2 (m)
– \\( L \\) = Distance between points (m)
Example 1: Downward Flow
Head at point 1 = 14 m, Head at point 2 = 5 m, Distance = 9 m
Gradient = \\( \frac{14 – 5}{9} = \frac{9}{9} = 1 \\)
(Positive gradient indicates flow from high to low head.)
Example 2: Upward Flow
Head at point 1 = 5 m, Head at point 2 = 14 m, Distance = 9 m
Gradient = \\( \frac{5 – 14}{9} = \frac{-9}{9} = -1 \\)
(Negative gradient indicates upward flow.)