Author(s): Behnam Balouchi; Mohammad Javad Abedini; Ayda Mirzaahmadi
Linked Author(s): Behnam Balouchi
Keywords: Discharge estimation Non-velocity-based methods Channel roughness Water surface profiles Simulation-optimization model
Abstract: Estimating discharge and roughness in open channels is crucial for designing hydraulic structures, optimizing reservoir operations, and managing water resources effectively. Traditional methods often rely on direct velocity measurements, which can be costly and impractical under certain conditions. This study employs a non-velocity-based technique that estimates discharge and roughness simultaneously in steady flows using only water level data, eliminating the need for velocity measurements. A simulation-optimization method was utilized to estimate discharge and roughness parameters for synthetic M2 and M1 water surface profiles near hydraulic structures such as drops and ogee weirs. The effects of iteration number and population size were also evaluated, along with the variations in the objective function. Key findings indicate that optimal settings of 100 iterations and a population size of 50–100 enhance accuracy and stability. Although local optima presents challenges, repeated runs and population adjustments effectively guide the model toward the global optimum, demonstrating its reliability in estimating discharge and roughness values.
Year: 2025