Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

8-1-2014

Abstract

Open-channel hydraulics’ (OCH) research traditionally links empirical formulas to observational data. One of the most common equations in OCH is Manning’s formula for open channel flow (Q) driven by gravity (also known as the Gauckler-Manning-Strickler formula). The formula relates the cross-sectional average velocity (V=Q/A), the hydraulic radius (R), and the slope of the water surface (S) with a friction coefficient n, characteristic of the channel’s surface. Here we show a practical example where Genetic Programming (GP), a technique derived from Bioinformatics, can be used to derive an empirical relationship based on different synthetic datasets of the aforementioned parameters. Specifically, we evaluated if Manning’s formula could be retrieved from datasets with 300 pentads of A, n, R, S, and Q (from Manning’s equation) using GP. The cross-validated results show success retrieving the functional form from the synthetic data and encourage the application of GP on problems where traditional empirical relationships show high biases, like sediment transport. The results also show alternative flow equations that can be used in the absence of one of the predictors and approximate Manning’s equation.

Comments

Session R22, Development and Application of River Flows

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.