How Important Is the Physical Interpretation and the Role of the Model User in Urban Flooding Simulation?

Abstract

Computational models for flood simulation were consolidated in recent years as a design tool. Due to technological evolution, the use of 2D mathematical models has become more frequent. However, the choice of 2D models is not always accompanied by an actual physical based demand that justifies this process, and often the problem that is solved does not need a 2D approximation or even does not actually configure a 2D solution surface. This study aims to present an alternative modelling in order to bring back the physical interpretation and highlight the modeller role as key elements in the interpretation and representation of the real systems. We used a Quasi-2D flow-cell model that solves 1D equations, constructed in a conceptual and interpretive way, as an alternative to the use of 2D models, showing the possibility of maintaining the same degree of representativeness. The Quasi-2D model was subjected to a test proposed by the British Environmental Agency. The results have demonstrated the importance of the modeller, emphasizing that the knowledge of the physical reality, of the hypotheses and simplifications adopted in the model construction, guarantees an optimized simulation and the quality of the results.