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Map-based surface and subsurface flow simulation models: An object-oriented and GIS approach

By Zichuan Ye , David R. Maidment and Daene C. McKinney

ABSTRACT

A hydrology simulation model is composed of three elements, which are (1) equations that govern the hydrologic processes, (2) maps that define the study area and (3) database tables that numerically describe the study area and model parameters. When a model is constructed with its three elements separated, its portability and user-friendliness are usually limited because any modification of one component will not be reflected in the others. The purpose of this research is to develop a map-based flow simulation model with all three model-components integrated. The model is constructed under a geographic information system (GIS) and based on the concepts of object-oriented programming. As its name suggests, a map-based model is map-centric and it allows all the regular model procedures such as construction, simulations, modifications, and result-processing to be activated directly from the model maps. Based on this 'map-centric' and object-oriented concept, a map-based surface/subsurface water flow simulation model is developed and successfully applied to simulate surface and subsurface flow on the Niger River Basin in West Africa. In the process of constructing this map-based model, techniques are also developed to address and solve some GIS related problems such as treatment of spatially-referenced time-series data, feature-oriented map operations, dynamic segmentation of an arc, and integration of flows along a line.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRONT PAGES (61KB)
Title Page
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

1. INTRODUCTION...(20 KB)

2. SIMULATING SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE WATER FLOWS ...(123KB)
2.1. Concept of Object-Oriented Programming
2.2. Conceptual Design of An Integrated Hydrologic Model
2.3. Relationships Between Maps, Databases and Programs
2.4. Governing Equations for Surface and Subsurface Water Flows
2.5. Chapter Summary

3. A MAP-BASED SURFACE WATER FLOW SIMULATION MODEL...(320 KB)
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Model Construction Procedure
3.3. Database Design for Spatially-Referenced Time-Series Data
3.4. Construction of The Surface Flow Simulation Program
3.5. Other Simulation Model Objects
3.6. Utility Programs and Post-Processors
3.7. Chapter Summary

4. A MAP-BASED GROUNDWATER SIMULATION MODEL...(101 KB)
4.1. Introduction 4.2. The Construction of Model Base Maps 4.3. The Simulation Model Formulation 4.4. Treatment of Modeling Conditions 4.5. The Map-Based Post-Processors and Utilities 4.6. Model Verification 4.7.Chapter Summary

5. INTEGRATING SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE FLOW SIMULATION MODELS...(102KB)
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Construction of Surface and Subsurface Simulation Objects
5.3. Connections Between Surface and Groundwater Models
5.4. Simulating Through The Space and Time
5.5. Integration of Surface & Subsurface Water Flow Simulation Models
5.6. An Application Example of The Integrated Model
5.7. Model Integration - Confined vs. Phreatic Aquifers
>5.8. Chapter Summary

6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS...(15KB)

APPENDIX...(146 KB)
Appendix 1 : The Map-Based Surface Water and Subsurface Water Flow Simulation Models
Appendix 2 : The Spatially Referenced Time-Series Data Tables

BIBLIOGRAPHY...(14 KB)

VITA...(4 KB)

These materials may be used for study, research, and education, but please credit the authors and the Center for Research in Water Resources, The University of Texas at Austin. All commercial rights reserved. Copyright 1997 Center for Research in Water Resources.