Using Pipe Pathways

A Pipe pathway is intended to represent a feature that essentially behaves as a fluid conduit. It provides a computationally efficient and accurate way to simulate processes such as vertical transport through an unsaturated (vadose) zone, horizontal transport in aquifers, rivers, channels and pipelines, and in particular, transport through fractured rock masses.

Note that a similar pathway, the Aquifer, can be used for many of the same purposes. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of Pipes and Aquifers, and when each should be used, is provided in the first topic listed below.