Informed Use and Potential Pitfalls of Canal Models

Numerical models of unsteady flow in canals are used in the design, analysis, and operation of irrigation-canal systems. Their informed use requires knowledge of the potential pitfalls and sources of error. There are three model parameters that influence errors in the model output: the distance step...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of irrigation and drainage engineering 1993-07, Vol.119 (4), p.663-672
Main Authors: Contractor, Dinshaw N, Schuurmans, Wytze
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGUA
AGUA DE RIEGO
CANAL
CANALES
CANALS
DEBIT
EAU
EAU D'IRRIGATION
FLOW RATE
GASTO
IRRIGATION CHANNELS
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
IRRIGATION WATER
MODELE DE SIMULATION
MODELOS DE SIMULACION
RESEAU D'IRRIGATION
SIMULATION MODELS
SISTEMAS DE RIEGO
Technical Papers
unsteady flow
WATER
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Summary:Numerical models of unsteady flow in canals are used in the design, analysis, and operation of irrigation-canal systems. Their informed use requires knowledge of the potential pitfalls and sources of error. There are three model parameters that influence errors in the model output: the distance step Δx, the time step Δt, and a weighting factor θ. The influence of the Courant number on the accuracy of the results is studied. Calibration of topographical and hydraulic parameters and verification of the model are important steps in the successful implementation of canal models. Two tests are presented that can be used to check the accuracy and stability of the programs. The first is a mass-conservation test, and the second is a ramp-discharge test. The results of these tests on several commercially available programs are presented. The intricacies of model calibration, model interpretation, and performance parameters are also discussed.
ISSN:0733-9437
1943-4774
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(1993)119:4(663)