Advection Dispersion Modelling

Introduction

TUFLOW’s Advection Dispersion (AD) Module is an extension of the TUFLOW Classic/HPC engines. It is a computer program for simulating depth-averaged, two and one-dimensional constituent fate and transport. An example of such a constituent might include salinity. Both dissolved and particulate constituents can be simulated. TUFLOW AD takes depth and velocity fields computed by the TUFLOW Classic and HPC solvers and uses this information, together with initial and boundary conditions, to simulate the advection and dispersion of constituents.

TUFLOW AD is specifically oriented towards such analyses in systems including coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, floodplains and urban areas. The AD module is discussed in the TUFLOW Advection Dispersion Manual.

Model Development

Setting Up a New Model

The steps below describe the process for setting up a TUFLOW AD model. It is assumed that the user is familiar with TUFLOW and that the folder structure for TUFLOW has been setup with all required files. The user should run the TUFLOW model without the AD module first to make sure that it is appropriately configured and stable.

1. Create a TUFLOW AD control file (.adcf)
   1. Use a text editor to create an empty .adcf file and save it to the “runs” folder.
2. Set up AD global database (.csv file)
   1. Set up TUFLOW AD global database in the “bc_dbase” folder.
   2. In the .adcf file use the "AD Global Database" command to set the location of the global database as follows.
      AD Global Database == ..\bc dbase\my_ad_global_dbase.csv
3. Setup up the boundary condition tables (.csv file(s))
   1. Setup the boundary condition table(s) in the “bc_dbase” folder.
4. Setup up the boundary condition database (.csv file)
   1. Setup the boundary condition database in the “bc_dbase” folder that references the tables set up in the previous step.
   2. In the .adcf file use the "AD BC Database" command to set the location of the bc database as follows.
      AD BC Database == ..\bc dbase\my_ad_bc_dbase.csv
5. Setup up TUFLOW to activate the AD module (.tcf file)
   1. In the .tcf file use the command "AD Control File" to set the location of the adcf and activate execution of the AD module as follows.
      AD Control File == ad_run.adcf
6. Run the model
   1. Run TUFLOW as normal. The AD module will be called and results files written.

Example Models

Example TUFLOW AD models, including settling and decay, are available via the TUFLOW Example Model Dataset.