Proceedings of The International Conference on Numerical Analysis and Optimization (ICeMATH 2011)

Numerical solution of flood routing model using finite volume method

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NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF FLOOD ROUTING
MODEL USING FINITE VOLUME METHODS
M.Siing
1
, Basuki Widodo
2


Abstract. Flood routing is a mathematical procedure to determine and predict
changing in flow rate and depth of water due to flooding on one or more points on a
segment channel/river. Model of flood routing is based on partial differential equations
that allowed to compute the flow rate and water depth as a function of space and time. In
this paper, we consider about mathematical model of flood routing and numerical
solution using finite volume method. We applied discretization technique i.e. Quadratic
Upwind Interpolation for Convective kinematics (QUICK) and we further perform the
simulation using computer simulation by implementing Matlab 7.8 sofware. We obtain
that the numerical solution using QUICK discretization technique stable and achieve
accurately up to third order. Simulation result can be obtain that the hydraulics
parameter plays important role in the flood routing process i.e. the greater of the
average flow velocity the greater of the flow rate.
Keywords: flood routing, numerical solution, finite volume method, QUICK Scheme.
1. INTRODUCTION
The variation of flow rate (discharge) at a point a stream channel may be determined by
consideration of similar data from a point upstream. In this process, called flood routing, as the
flood moved downstream through river reaches its shape is changed by storage in the reach
between any two points.
For flood routing problems, Saint-Venant equations describe the ood mechanics. In order
to obtain a solution to flood routing in a channel section, various approximations to the Saint-
Venants equations have been proposed, because of difculties in analytical solution of the
complete model, such as kinematic wave routing, diffusion approximation and dynamic model
[3].
Common techniques using simplications to the full momentum are kinematic wave
routing and diffusion approximation [7]. The accuracy of these approximations to the
momentum effects in flood routing are discussed in detail in many studies, including (Sinha,
et.all [8]). On the other hand, the Saint-Venants equations, without any simplication, have
been solved by many numerical methods for cylindrical and irregular cross-sections and these
solutions are currently used (Keskin and Agiralioglu [3]). Gosiorowski and Szymkiewicz [5]
in their study discuses the analysis of mass and momentum equation flood routing model.
Widodo, et.all [9,10] in their research, the application of boundary element methods on the
free surface fluid flow in an arbitary shaped in a channel. Chagas and Nayfeh [2] reviewed of
mathematical model of flood waves in natural channels using finite difference method and
solution of the system nonlinear algebraic equation solving the with iterative Newton Raphson
algorithm and a computer program QUARIGUA (Riks Quantitative Analysis of Flooding in
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Urban Rivers) is used to perform the simulations. Mathematical modeling and numerical
solution of iron corrosion problem based on condensation chemical properties is solved using
finite element methods [11].
In this paper, the form of the continuity equation and the simplification the momentum
equation with diffusion approximation are derived, and then obtained mathematical model of
flood routing. This model is called a convection diffusion equation and numerical solution of
mathematical model using the finite volume method with QUICK discretization technique and
then simulation accomplished with the aid of a computer program Matlab 7.8.
2. GOVERNING EQUATION
Mathematical equations of the flood routing problems is governed base on natural
phenomena in accordance with the laws of physics problems in this research. Mathematical
model of this problem satisfy the law of conservation of mass and momentum are developed
on the Scalar Transport Equation [1].
Flood routing can be modeled base on the open channel flow, flood propagation wave in
open channels flow can be expressed by governing equation obtained by applying the
conservation equations of mass and momentum in the control volume. Mathematical model of
flood routing can be described by using the control volume of in the illustrate Figure 1 below:






Figure 1. Sketch control volume flood routing elevation view from the side [4]
2.1. Massa (Continuity) Equation
In this paper, mass conservation is explained that using continuum principle is:The rate
of change of mass within an arbitrary control volume is determined by the net rate of mass
across its bounding surface (flux) and the rate of production within that control volume
(source). And with the Physical principle (mass conservation) is: mass is neither created
nor destroyed, then source to mass conservation is zero. For any control volume [1]:
( ) 0
d
mass net outward mass flux
dt
+ =
Because
massa m
volume
= =

then mass of fluid m = yields the integral Scalar Transport (or

advection-diffusion) equation:
( ) ( ) 0
face
VA
t

c
+ =
c

(1)
From Equation (1) to flood routing problems in this paper is modeled in one dimension so that

S
0
h Q
e
x
y
x
t
t+t
Datum
Q
w
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the value V = Ax and control surfaces composed into two parts, the control surface where the
flow into the control volume and flow out of the control volume. So Equation (1) can be
written as:
. . 0
CV inlet outlet
d
d V dA V dA
dt
+ =
}}} }} }}
(2)
Equation (2) is derived, so that obtained equation for flow rate in open channels
follows:
0
A Q
t x
c c
+ =
c c
(3)
2.2. Momentum Equations
Momentum conservation equation can be formulated using continuum principles, is: The
total rate of change of momentum is made up of the rate of change of momentum inside the
control volume plus the difference between momentum flux leaving and entering. And then is
used Physical principle (Newtons second law): rate of change of momentum is force [1].
Hence:
( )
total rateof changeof momentum
d
momentum net outward momentum flux force
dt
+ =

For a cell with Volume V and area A momentum in cell = mass x velocity = xV = V and
momentum fluks = mass fluks x velocity = (VA).V, Hence [1]:
( ) ( )
face
V VA V F
t

c
+ =
c

(4)
where is volume of fluids (m
3
), is the time (s), A is the cross section area of the flow (m
2
),
V is the velocity of flow (m.s
-1
), F is the eksternal force .
From Equation (4) above can be written in integral form as follows:
. .
CV inlet outlet
d
d V dA V dA F
dt
+ =

}}} }} }}
(5)
To external forces F are as follows:
g p w
F F F F = + +

(6)
Where:
0 g
F ghS x = A

(Weight Force)


P
h
F gh x
x

c
= A
c

(Pressure force)


f f
F gAS =

(Friction force)
(7)

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Substituting Equation (7) into Equation (5) and (6) So that obtained by the following
equation:
2
0 f
Q
A Q h
gA gAS gAS
t x x
| |
c
|
c c
\ .
+ + =
c c c
(8)
where x is the longitudinal distance along the channel (m), t is the time (s), A is the cross
section area of the flow (m
2
), y is the surface level of the water in the channel (m), S
0
is the
slope of bottom of the channel, S
f
is the slope of energy grade line, B is the width of the
channel (m), and g is the acceleration of the gravity (m.s
-2
).
In the case of many river channels, the second and third terms in Equatin (8) are of and order
of magnitude smaller than the other three terms in the equation [7]. If these two smaller terms
are neglected so that Equatin (8) becomes
0 f
h
S S
x
c
=
c
(9)
And Q(x, t) is now eliminated between Equation (3) and Equation (9) we obtain,
2
2
0
Q Q Q
D
t x x

c c c
+ =
c c c

(10)
With,
3
2
V =


2 3
2
C bh
D
Q
=

Equation (10) is the convection-diffusion equation obtained from solving simultaneous
governing equations conservative form.
3. NUMERICAL SOLUTION
Numerical solution of the flood routing model is applied by solving governing equation
using Finite Volume Method with QUICK discretisation technique. Solved the model of flood
routing is conducted to obtain the value of flow rate (discharge). In this paper, physical model
of flood routing in control volume is made in 5 space with the number of nodes in each control
volume in 5 node as illustrate in Figure 2 below. Value at each node is to be referred as a
variation of flow rate on segment of river.



Figure 2. Sketch discretization control volume

node 1 node 2 node 3 node 4 node 5
x
W P E EE WW w e
A B
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3.1 Finite Volume Methods
The finite-volume method is popular in fluid mechanics (aerodynamics, hydraulics).
Discretisation of the integral form of the governing equations is the basis of the finite-volume
method. Procedur of the finite-volume method is [1]:
1. A flow geometry is defined.
2. The flow domain is decomposed into a computational mesh or grida set of non-
overlapping control volumes or cellsover which the integral equations are to be
discretised.
3. The integral equations are discretised i.e. approximated in terms of values at a set of
nodes.
4. The discretised equations are solved numerically.
3.2 Quadratic Upwind Interpolation Convective Kinematics (QUICK) Scheme
The Quadratic Upwind Interpolation Convective Kinematics (QUICK) Scheme of Leonard
(1979) uses a three-point upstream-weighted quadratic interpolation for cell face value. The face
value of |

is obtained from a quadratic function passing through two bracketing node (on each
side of the face) and a node on the upstream side. It can be show that for a uniform grid the value
of |

at the cell face between two bracketing node i and i-1 and upstream node i-2 is given by the
following formula [7]:
2 1
6 3
8
i i i
face
| | |
|

+ +
=
Discretisation QUICK was depending on the direction of the flow. when V > 0, the
bracketing nodes for the west w are W and P, the upstream node is WW and the bracketing
nodes for the west e are P and E, the upstream node is W so
6 3
8
WW W P
w
| | |
|
+ +
=

dan
6 3
8
W P E
e
| | |
|
+ +
=

To determine the value of the flow rate Equation (10) be integrated to volume control and
the time between t and t + t is
2
2
t t t t t t
VK t VK t VK t
Q Q Q
dt d dt d D dt d
t x x

+A +A + A
c c c
+ =
c c c
} } } } } }

To obtain the following equation:
( ) ( )
0 P e w
e w
x Q Q
Q Q Q Q D
t x x

( A c c | | | |
+ =
( | |
A c c
\ . \ .

(11)
QUICK discretization is then performed for V> 0 with a substitute:

1 6 3
8 8 8
w WW W P
Q Q Q Q = + +

1 6 3
8 8 8
e W P E
Q Q Q Q = + +

E P
e
Q Q Q
x x
c | |
=
|
c A
\ .

P W
w
Q Q Q
x x
c | |
=
|
c A
\ .

Into Equation (11) and by applying initial conditions and boundary conditions become:

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0
7 4 3 4
8 8 3
10 8
8 3
P E
A
x D D
Q Q
t x x
D x
Q Q
x t

A | | | |
+ + +
| |
A A A
\ . \ .
A | |
= +
|
A A
\ .

: node 1
0
2
8 8
2
8
P W E
A
x D D D
Q Q Q
t x x x
x
Q Q
t

A | | | |
+ +
| |
A A A A
\ . \ .
A
= +
A
: node 2
0
3 2 7
8 8 8
3
8
P WW W
E
x D D
Q Q Q
t x x
D x
Q Q
x t

A | | | |
+ + + +
| |
A A A
\ . \ .
A | |
+ =
|
A A
\ .
: node 3,4
0
6 4 3 4
8 8 3 8
WW W P
B
D x D
Q Q Q
x t x
x
Q Q
t

A | | | |
+ + +
| |
A A A
\ . \ .
A
=
A

: node 5 (12)
Equation (12) is a solution governing equation to determine the flow rate with QUICK
discretization technique for V > 0. Furthermore, by replacing each face WW, W, P, and E to node i
- 2, i - 1, i, i + 1 so that one obtains a discretization equation in the form of matrix equation. Then
the equations are solved numerically with used of computer program Matlab 7.8
4. SIMULATION RESULTS
4.1. Effect of velocity Changes on the Flow rate (discharge) of the flood routing.
To determine the effect of flow velocity changes along the channel we give an input to
channel length (L) to be 15 000 meters, width of the channel (b) = 50 m, Chezy coefficient (C)
= 50.2 and base depth water (h) = 2 meters. The initial flow rate (Q0) to be 125 m
3
/s, the
upstream boundary condition flow rate (Qa) to be 125 m
3
/s and downstream boundary (Qb) to
be 20 m
3
/s and base depth water (h) = 2 meters. the simulation is conducted by taking grid
along the channel in several sections, we take same 5 segments, i.e.: x = 3000 m and the time
interval t = 60 minutes by providing input at different velocity. In this case, we give the
variation of velocity produces a different flow rate values along the channel segment. The
Figure 3 depicts the behavior of the flow rate for the different velocity, in which the wave
propagation occurs along the channel





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Figure. 3. Comparison flow rate along the channel segments with different velocity.
4.2. The Effect of the different channel depth on the flow rate (discharge) of the flood routing.
To determine the effect of channel depth change on the flow rate (discharge) along the
channel segments we give an input to channel length (L) to be 15 000 meters, width of the
channel (b) = 50 m, Chezy coefficient (C) = 50.2 and base depth water (h) = 2 meters. The
initial flow rate (Q0) to be 70 m
3
/s, the upstream boundary condition flow rate (Qa) to be 70
m
3
/s and downstream boundary (Qb) to be 15 m
3
/s. the simulation is conducted by taking grid
along the channel in several sections, we take same 5 segments, i.e.: x = 3000 m and the time
interval t = 60 minutes by providing input at variation of depth. In this case, we give the
variation of depth produces a different flow rate values along the channel segment. The Figure
4 depicts the behavior of the flow, for variation of depth in which the wave propagation occurs
along the channel.

Figure. 4. Comparison of flow rate along the channel for variation of channel depth
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4.3. The effect of the flow rate in the changes time of the flood routing.
To determine changing in flow rate along the segment of the channel every time, it is
given input a variation time. As similiar in the first case, the simulation is conducted by taking
grid along the channel in several sections, we take same 5 segments, i.e.: x = 3000 m. In this
case, we obtain that this grid produces different flow rate for variation of time along the
channel segment. The Figure 5 depicts the behavior of the flow, for variation of time in which
the wave propagation occurs along the channel

Figure. 5. The comparison of flow rate (discharge) along the channel for variation of time
5. CONCLUSIONS
From the results of the simulation model that have been applied in this paper, it can be
concluded that the hydraulics parameter plays important role in the flood routing process i.e.:
The greater of the average flow velocity in the river/channel the greater flow rate along the
segment of the river/channel and the greater of the channel depth in the river/channel the
greater of the flow rate (discharge).
6. REFERENCES
[1] APSLEY, D., Computational Fluids Dynamic, Lecture Handout, University of Manchester,
Manchester, 2007.
[2] CHAGAS, P. F., AND NAYFEH, A. H., Application of Mathematical Modeling to Study Flood Wave
Behavior in Natural Rivers as Function of Hydraulic and Hydrological Parameters of the Basin,
Hydrology Day, 2010.
[3] KESKIN, M.E., AGIRALIOGLU, N., A Simplied Dynamic Model for Flood Routing in Rectangular
Channels, Journal of Hydrology, v.202, p. 302-314, 1997.
[4] CHOW, T.V., MAIDMENT, D.R., MAYS, L.M., Applied Hydrology, McGraw-Hill International
Edition, New York, 1988.
[5] GOSIOROWSKI, D., SZYMKIEWICZ, R., Mass and Momentum Conservation in The Simplified Flood
Routing Models, Journal of Hydrology, v. 346, p.51-58, 2007.
[6] VERSTEEG, H.K.AND MALALASEKERA, M., An Introduction Computational Fluid Dynamics,
Longman Scientific & Technical, Harlow, England, 1995.
M. Siing and Basuki Widodo
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[7] GONWA, W.S. AND KAVVAS, M.L, A Modified Diffusion Equation For Flood Propagation
Trapezoidal Channel, Journal of Hydrology, v.83, p.119-136, 1986.
[8] SINHA, J., ESWARAN,J.S., BALLAMUDI, S.M, Comparison of Spectral and Finite Difference
Methods For Flood Routing, Journal of Hydraul.Eng.ASCE, 121(2) p.119-136, 1986.
[9] WIDODO, B., WEN, X., INGHAM, D.B, The Free Surface Fluid Flow in an Arbitary Shaped in a
Channel, Journal of Engineering Analysis with Boundary Element, Vol. 19, PP.299-308, 1997.
[10] WIDODO, B., The Application of The Boundary Element Methods on Some Free Surface Fluids
Flow, Leeds University Press, UK.2000
[11] WIDODO, B., FATAHILLAH, A., RAHAYUNINGSIH, T., Mathematical Modeling and Numerical
Solution of Iron Corrosion Problem Based on Condensation Chemical Properties, Australian Journal of
Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(1), PP.79-86, 2011.
M.Siing
1
: Post Graduate Student, Department of Mathematics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November,
Surabaya. Teacher, SMA/MA Rahmatul Asri Maroangin, Enrekang, South Sulawesi.
Email : msiingrama@gmail.com
Basuki Widodo
2
: Professor of Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, Institut Teknologi
Sepuluh November, Surabaya.
Email : b_widodo@matematika.its.ac.id