5. Model verification

Numerical simulations have many advantages such as providing results in the entire domain and the ability to make changes to the geometry, boundary, or initial conditions, but numerical models always require validation of the simulations with reliable and appropriate experimental data [22]. The following section describes the measurements for obtaining data necessary for validation of the numerical simulations.

• Tresta (4)—located in the lower part of the artificial lake, where the depth is about 7–8 m. The place is closest to the dam of the reservoir, characterized by, in addition to great

Three-Dimensional CFD Simulations of Hydrodynamics for the Lowland Dam Reservoir

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.80377

55

A reasonable agreement between the flow pattern predicted by the model and those deduced from the field data was found (Figure 16). To quantify the comparison, relative error was calculated by taking the difference between numerical and measured values and then dividing the results by the measured values. The measured velocity profiles were provided with a

The possible reasons for the discrepancies are (1) inaccuracies in location of measuring points, (2) point velocity measurement errors, (3) errors in modeling the flow, and (4) errors in

The first category is related to the field velocity measurements taken from a boat. Considering the fact that a boat cannot maintain an absolute fixed position due to the waving and wind, errors are introduced in velocity measurements. A deviation of 20 cm from the fixed position can cause large errors if there is a steep velocity change in the plane of measurements. The magnitude of this error could not be estimated accurately; however, rough estimate of the nearby velocities within a distance of 20 cm at the measuring point resulted in an error in the

Figure 15. Hydrological and morphological differentiation of the Sulejow reservoir along the longitudinal axis.

depths, the largest cross-sectional width of approximately 2000 m.

5.2. Results of model validation

modeling the geometry.

range 3–5%.

relative accuracy within the range 1–10%.
