Calibration to recorded information (if available).
Crosschecked using desktop calculations based on theory and/or standard publications (eg. Hydraulics of Bridge Waterways, US FHA 1973).
Crosschecked with results using other hydraulic software.
To validate structure flows and energy losses:
Specify time-series output (PO) lines of flow (Q_) and flow area (QA) across the structure (see Section 3.15). Upstream and downstream water levels may also be specified or taken from the map (SMS) output.
Using the upstream and downstream water levels, determine whether flow is upstream or downstream controlled and estimate the flow using theoretical equations or other method.
Using publications such as Hydraulics of Bridge Waterways (US FHA 1973), determine the energy loss coefficient and compare this with the total energy loss calculated in the model. The total energy loss () is the upstream head minus the downstream head divided by the dynamic head based on the depth and width averaged velocity () (ie. Q_/QA) as given below. Clearly, any energy losses associated with bed resistance (eg. Manning’s equation) need to be allowed for by taking this amount out of the term.
Using other software (eg. HEC-RAS), create a check model using the flow and downstream water level as boundaries and compare the calculated upstream water levels.
