73265 - Hydrological Modelling M

Learning outcomes

The course aims at dealing with concepts that underlie the development of mathematical models for simulating the hydrological processes that control the formation and routing of river streamflows. The main objective of the course is providing the tools for choosing the most suitable model relative to the water problem at hand.

Course contents

The course focuses on the following general issues:

1. basic definitions and objectives of modelling and classification of hydrological models (recall of fundamental concepts);
2. hydrological GIS-tools for a geo-morphologic characterization of river basins;
3. hydrological processes that control the formation and routing of river streamflows and their mathematical representation;
4. statistical models for design-flood estimation and associated uncertainty.

Hands-on experiments will enable students to deepen their understanding of theoretical concepts.

Readings/Bibliography

- Moisello, Idrologia Tecnica, La Goliardica Pavese
- Greppi, Idrologia, Hoepli editore
- Brutsaert, Hydrology An introduction, Cambridge University Press
- Material supplied by the professor

Teaching methods

Lectures and PC exercises designed to prepare students to the utilization of: common GIS-tools for performing hydrological analysis on digital elevation models; rainfall-runoff models; flood-wave routing models.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment aims at verifying the achievement of learning objectives, i.e. to know the basic concepts required for

• carrying out the main hydrological analysis in a GIS environment for the characterization of river basins;
• identifying the most suitable model in relation to the water problem to be solved;
• developing mathematical models for simulating the main hydrological processes that control the rainfall-runoff transformation.

The final exam consists of an oral examination focusing on the theoretical topics covered during classes and practical exercises carried out at the computer (registration to the test at https://almaesami.unibo.it).

Teaching tools

The theory illustrated during classes is supported by practical activities (i.e. computer programming and use of specific software) to be set up in the PC-lab under the supervision of Professor and completed independently. All applications will use cross-platform Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), that can be installed on all major operating systems.

Handouts on the topics covered in the course, exercises and their draft solutions in R scripts (The R Project for Statistical Computing) are published in the collection AMS Campus - AlmaDL University of Bologna only for registered students and during the classes.

Links to further information

https://twitter.com/AttiCastellarin

Office hours

See the website of Attilio Castellarin