ASTM D6025-96e1

e1
Designation: D 6025 – 96
Standard Guide for
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Developing and Evaluating Ground-Water Modeling Codes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6025; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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e NOTE—Paragraph 1.8 was added editorially in October 1998.
1. Scope safeguards against the use in a modeling study of faulty codes
or incorrect theoretical considerations and assumptions. Fur-
1.1 This guide covers a systematic approach to the devel-
thermore, there is no way to guarantee that modeling-based
opment, testing, evaluation, and documentation of ground-
advice is entirely correct, nor that the ground-water model used
water modeling codes. The procedures presented constitute the
in the preparation of the advice (or any scientific model or
quality assurance framework for a ground-water modeling
theory, for that matter) can ever be proven to be entirely
code. They include code review, testing, and evaluation using
correct. Rather, a model can only be invalidated by disagree-
quantitative and qualitative measures. This guide applies to
ment of its predictions with independently derived observa-
both the initial development and the subsequent maintenance
tions of the studied system because of incorrect application of
and updating of ground-water modeling codes.
the selected code, the selection of an inappropriate code, the
1.2 When the development of a ground-water modeling
use of an inadequately tested code, or invalidity of or errors in
code is initiated, procedures are formulated to ensure that the
the underlying theoretical framework.
final product conforms with the design objectives and specifi-
1.6 This guide is one of a series of guides on ground-water
cations and that it correctly performs the incorporated func-
modeling codes and their applications, such as D 5447,
tions. These procedures cover the formulation and evaluation
D 5490, D 5611, D 5609, D 5610, and D 5718. Other standards
of the code’s theoretical foundation and code design criteria,
have been prepared on environmental modeling, such as
the application of coding standards and practices, and the
Practice E 978.
establishment of the code’s credentials through review and
1.7 Complete adherence to this guide may not always be
systematic testing of its functional design and through evalu-
feasible. If this guide is not integrally followed, the elements of
ation of its performance characteristics.
noncompliance should be clearly identified and the reasons for
1.3 The code’s functionality needs to be defined in sufficient
the partial compliance should be given. For example, partial
detail for potential users to assess the code’s utility as well as
compliance might result from inadequacy of existing field
to enable the code developers to design a meaningful code
techniques for measuring relevant model parameters, specifi-
testing strategy. Comprehensive testing of a code’s function-
cally in complex systems.
ality and performance is accomplished through a variety of test
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information
methods. Determining the importance of the tested functions
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
and the ratio of tested versus non-tested functions provides an
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
indication of the completeness of the testing.
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
1.4 Ground-water modeling codes are subject to the soft-
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
ware life cycle concept that consists of a design phase, a
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
development phase, and an operational phase. During the
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
operational phase the software is maintained, evaluated regu-
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
larly, and changed as additional requirements are identified.
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
Therefore, quality assurance procedures should not only be
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
established for software design, programming, testing, and use,
document means only that the document has been approved
but also for code maintenance and updating.
through the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 Quality assurance in the development of ground-water
modeling codes cannot guarantee acceptable quality of the
2. Referenced Documents
code or a ground-water modeling study in which the code has
2.1 ASTM Standards:
been used. However, adequate quality assurance can provide
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
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Fluids
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil an
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