TUFLOW Benchmarking

University Thesis Studies

Syme (1991)

TUFLOW was first developed as a result of this PhD study. This thesis summarises the mathematical theory that underpins TUFLOW. It presents a discussion on the process of selecting TUFLOW's 1D and 2D schemes. It also details:

• The methodology used for coding the 2D scheme;
• The wetting and drying method; the dynamic 2D/1D link; and
• The stabilisation of oblique water level boundaries.
  
  

• Click Here To Open Thesis (Syme, 1991)

Barton (2001)

This thesis study investigated the ability of 2D hydrodynamic models to adequately predict energy losses through an abrupt constriction. In particular, the investigation focuses on the impact that model spatial resolution has on the ability of the model to predict expansion and contraction losses due to the abrupt constriction. Principal outcomes of the study were:

• An improved understanding of different numerical solution schemes;
• An improved understanding of the nature of contracting and expanding flow;
• The confirmation that the spatial resolution of 2D models does have an impact on the ability of these models to predict energy losses due to turbulent effects;
• An understanding of the importance of the eddy viscosity formulation technique on the predictive ability of 2D models; and
• A preliminary assessment of the impact of varying the eddy viscosity formulation technique.

• Click Here To Open Thesis (Barton, 2001)

Huxley (2004)

This thesis validates TUFLOW against independent analytical calculations. The study used over 300 benchmark models to verify the accuracy of TUFLOW for a range of flow conditions (super critical, critical and subcritical). The specific test cases included:

• 1D culvert flow;
• 1D weir flow;
• 2D weir flow;
• 2D channel flow;
• 2D floodplain flow; and
• 2D channel/floodplain flow.

The TUFLOW results were found to be within a 2% accuracy of the analytical estimates in 97% of the benchmark models.

• Click Here To Open Thesis (Huxley, 2004)

Boyte (2014)

This thesis investigated incorporating hydrology into direct rainfall models, with consideration given to hydraulic resistance mechanisms at shallow flow. The direct rainfall methodology was implemented into a two dimensional shallow water model, TUFLOW GPU; which was compared against an industry standard hydrologic model, XP RAFTS.

The primary objectives were to determine whether TUFLOW GPU was a suitable software package to use in industry applications, whether the direct rainfall model was able to reproduce the hydrology of a real storm event in a gauged catchment more accurately than the hydrologic model; and to understand hydraulic resistance mechanisms at shallow flow and at different roughness scales. These objectives were met through numerical modelling with real data produced from experiments, stream gauges, or analytical solutions. Dressler’s sloping dam break analytical model was used to validate TUFLOW GPU, a gauged catchment in New South Wales was used to compare hydrology representation in the direct rainfall model and hydrologic model, and experimental data from an open channel at shallow flow was analysed to analyse hydraulic resistance mechanisms. Monte Carlo testing by simulating non uniformity in bed roughness was undertaken on an ungauged catchment in New South Wales to determine the practical impacts of secondary flows, which arose after analysis of the experimental data.

• Click Here To Open Thesis (Boyte, 2014)

Other Benchmark Studies

TUFLOW has been benchmarked against other software, physical models and analytical equations on many occasions:

1. Wood Rodgers compared TUFLOW results against recorded flume data and standard engineering equations. The assessment results were presented at the 2015 Floodplain Management Association Conference in Rancho Mirage, California. The TUFLOW results are summarized in the following link:
   • Wood Rodgers Model Benchmark Testing (FMA Conference, 2015)
2. Bill Syme presented model validation/benchmark results for bends, structures and obstructions at the 2011 Australian TUFLOW Workshop and 2011 Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Conference
   • 1D and 2D Modelling of Bends, Structures and Obstructions (TUFLOW Workshop, 2011)
   • Modelling Structures (ASFPM Conference, 2011)
3. The United Kingdom Environment Agency have documented independent testing of most 2D modeling packages. This is a good resource for comparing TUFLOW to other available software:
   
   • Benchmarking of 2D Hydraulic Modelling Packages (United Kingdom Environment Agency, 2010)
4. Bill Syme presented model validation results for a case study in the Eudlo Creek Catchment, Australia at the 2006 Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Conference. TUFLOW was benchmarked against a physical model and FESWMS.
   • Bruce Highway Eudlo Creek Hydraulic Investigations (ASFPM Conference, 2006)
5. Additional TUFLOW benchmark articles are available from the "Library" section of the TUFLOW website:
   • http://www.tuflow.com/Library.aspx

Real World Calibration/Validation

TUFLOW has been used on thousands of flood studies worldwide. Model calibration to historic events is a critical element of any flood study. Here are some links to public domain documents which have included TUFLOW model calibration/validation to historic flood events.

• Lower Clarence Flood Model Update
• Kyogle Flood Risk Management Study
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council Flood Study - Part 1
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council Flood Study - Part 2
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council Flood Study - Drawing Addendum
• Johnston River Flood Study - Volume 1
• Tweed Valley Flood Study
• Coastal Creeks Flood Study
• Gayndah Flood Study
• Richmond River Flood Mapping Study

Hardware Benchmark Testing

The link below summarises computer specifications and model simulation times for a benchmark model that is run using TUFLOW Classic (CPU) and TUFLOW GPU. The results are a useful resource for people who are upgrading hardware for the specific purpose of modelling.

• Hardware Benchmarking