The Windows version of MicroFEM is a new program, based on the DOS package Micro-Fem. It takes you through the whole process of ground-water modeling, from the generation of a finite-element grid through the stages of preprocessing, calculation, postprocessing, graphical interpretation and plotting. Confined, semi-confined, phreatic, stratified and leaky multi-aquifer systems can be simulated with a maximum of 20 aquifers.

Irregular grids, as typically used by finite-element programs, have several advantages compared to the more or less regular grids used by finite-difference codes. A model with a well-designed irregular grid will show more accurate results with fewer nodes, so less computer memory is required while calculations are faster. MicroFEM offers extensive possibilities as to the ease of creating such irregular grids. Two grid generators are included; one is designed for irregular geometries as often encountered in regional studies, while the other is useful for engineering applications that often require high contrasts in node spacing, e.g. sheet piling and excavations. Adding and erasing nodes, connection swapping and further modifications to the grid can be done interactively.

Other MicroFEM features include the ease of data preparation and the presentation and analysis of modeling results. A flexible way of zone-selection and formula-assignment is used for all parameters: transmissivities, aquitard resistances, well discharges and boundary conditions for each layer.

Depending on the type of model this can be extended with layer thicknesses, storativities, spatially varying anisotropy, topsystem and user-defined parameters. To inspect and interpret model results, maps and profiles can be used to visualize contours, heads, 3D-flowlines, flow vectors, etc. Time-drawdown curves and water balances can be selected with just a few keystrokes or mouse clicks.

The WIN-version of MicroFEM differs from the DOS version in many respects. However, several strong features of the DOS programs could be transferred to the WIN version, e.g. the characteristic way of handling user-defined parts of a model by marked nodes and labels.

A free lite-version of MicroFEM is available for downloading. For more details the reader is referred to the short guide (24 pages) and the MicroFEM tutorial (53 pages), which can also be downloaded from this web site as zip-files. To Download Table

Excellent customer e-mail support is an essential part of a MicroFEM license, and an integral part of its development. Many of the MicroFEM enhancements are the result of customer suggestions.

MicroFEM is updated several times per year. Recent modifications are described in the update.txt file. Free e-mail updates of any full version of MicroFEM are available from the developers anytime.