On the development and analysis of coupled surface–subsurface models of catchments. Part 1. Analysis of dimensions and parameters for UK catchments

Piotr Morawiecki, Philippe H. Trinh

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Abstract

The objective of this three-part work is the formulation and rigorous analysis of a number of reduced mathematical models that are nevertheless capable of describing the hydrology at the scale of a river basin (i.e. catchment). Coupled effects of surface and subsurface flows are considered. In this first part, we identify and analyse the key physical parameters that appear in governing formulations used within hydrodynamic rainfall-runoff models. Such parameters include those related to the catchment dimensions, topography, soil and rock properties, rainfall intensities, Manning's coefficients, and river channel dimensions. Despite the abundance of research that has produced data sets describing properties of specific river basins, there have been few studies that have investigated the ensemble of typical scaling of key physical properties; these are needed in order to perform a proper dimensional analysis of rainfall-runoff models. Therefore, in this work, we perform an extensive analysis of the parameters; our results form a benchmark and provide guidance to practitioners of the typical parameter sizes and interdependencies. Crucially, the analysis is presented in a fashion that can be reproduced and extended by other researchers, and wherever possible, uses publicly available data sets for catchments in the United Kingdom.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberA28
Number of pages37
JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics
Volume982
Early online date11 Mar 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Mar 2024

Funding

P.M. is supported by a scholarship from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics at Bath (SAMBa), under the project EP/S022945/1.

FundersFunder number
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa)EP/S022945/1

    Keywords

    • river dynamics
    • shallow water flows

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Applied Mathematics

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