101-0269-00L  River Morphodynamic Modelling

SemesterSpring Semester 2021
LecturersD. F. Vetsch, D. Vanzo
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe course teaches the basics of morphodynamic modelling, relevant for civil and environmental engineers. The governing equations for sediment transport in open channels and corresponding numerical solution strategies are introduced. The theoretical parts are discussed by examples.
ObjectiveThe goal of the course is twofold. First, the students develop a throughout understanding of the basics of river morphodynamic processes. Second, they get familiar with numerical tools for the simulations in one- and two-dimensions of morphodynamics.
Content- fundamentals of river morphodynamics (Exner equation, bed-load, suspended-load)
- aggradation and degradation processes
- river bars
- non-uniform sediment morphodynamics: the Hirano model
- short and long term response of gravel bed rivers to change in sediment supply
Lecture notesLecture notes, slides shown in the lecture and software can be downloaded
LiteratureCitations will be given in lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeExercises are based on the simulation software BASEMENT (Link), the open-source GIS Qgis (Link) and code examples written in MATLAB and Python. The applications comprise one- and two-dimensional approaches for the modelling of flow and sediment transport.

Requirements: Numerical Hydraulics, River Engineering, MATLAB and/or Python programming skills would be an advantage.