Newcastle University

Modelling of Floods

[ Book online ]

This course introduces different frameworks for flood estimation and modelling from statistical to simulation, from data driven to physically based modelling, and puts them in the wider context of flood risk management. Delegates will be taught how to use industry standard flood estimation and modelling techniques. They will also learn how catchments and rivers are modelled for flooding and other purposes. Delegates will gain hands on practice with industry standard software.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, delegates will have:

• an understanding and practical familiarity with current modelling and statistical approaches to flood risk estimation and modelling;
• an understanding of the range of different approaches used in flood modelling;
• an understanding of the benefits and limitations of the use of numerical models.

Delegates will be able to:

• competently apply current methods for flood risk estimation in basic cases;
• choose, build and run catchment models;
• build a 1D river model: schematise, parameterise, calibrate and validate it and use it to assess 'what-if' scenarios.

Course Outline

• Background and motivation: frameworks for flood estimation and modelling, statistical versus simulation, data based versus physically based, catchment-river-urban-flood plain;
• FEH Statistical Method I: frequency analysis at a site, L-moments;
• FEH Statistical Method II: regional frequency analysis, Index flood, Qmed, pooling
• FEH Practical 1: site and regional frequency analysis;
• FEH Rainfall-runoff method: unit hydrograph, estimation from PCDs, applications, revitalised version
• FEH Practical 2: use of FEH rainfall-runoff method;
• Catchment Modelling I: lumped Models - Top model, ARNO model, VIC, G2G/PDM;
• Catchment Modelling II: distributed Models - SHETRAN;
• Continuous simulation and Rainfall modelling: use of catchment models for flood estimation - Newcastle and CEH work, climate change
• Catchment modelling practical: comparison of two models (SHETRAN and ADM);
• River Modelling I: 1d river modelling: schematisation of a river system, cross-sections, boundary conditions, numerical methods and parameters;
• River Modelling practical: building up of a simple river model using synthetic data and advanced software package (NOAH 1D and/or ISIS);
• River Modelling II: more advanced schematisations, troubleshooting, floodplain mapping and 2d river modelling
• River Modelling Practical 2: building a real model using real data, calibration and verification; xchermatisation and modelling of different flood defences;
• Integrated urban drainage modelling, sewer modelling, pollution;
• Overview and synthesis: MDSF and CFMP, flood risk management.

Presenters

School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

• Dr Vedrana Kutija (Course Leader)
• Prof Chris Kilsby
• Dr Paul Quinn

[ Book online ]

[ Back to top of page ]