6.2-A finite element model for river flow simulation

Abstract

A finite element model with options of simulating the kinematics, diffusive, and complete hydrodynamic behaviours of river flow has been developed. The computer program is written in FORTRAN 77 and the program is portable and can be run on both microcomputers and mainframe computers. The model performance with all the three options has been presented for channels of irregular cross-sections. A test application of the finite element hydrodynamic model to the river Jamuna in Bangladesh has been made. The results of test application, in terms of water level and discharge have been compared with the results of a well calibrated modelling system, the MIKE 11 and found very close and satisfactory.