5 ECTS credits
135 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4017578DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.
The first part of the course provides the basics of the surface water part of the hydrological cycle and the rainfall-runoff processes, and methods to compute them.
- The hydrologic cycle, runoff mechanisms and water balances
- Rainfall data for hydrologic design
- Rainfall losses (interception, storage, infiltration)
- The runoff concentration (unit hydrograph, reservoir models)
- Flood routing (hydraulic and hydrologic methods)
- The future of water (climate change)
The second part of the course provides an introduction to the different modeling techniques used in hydrology. Starting from a classification of models, the principles underlying the different model types are discussed and the link is made towards the application field of the model type. Characteristic models are explicited for the sake of illustration.
- Modelling, hypothesis and scale, conceptualisation and types
- Rules of good modelling
- Calibration, sensitivity analysis & uncertainty analysis
- Scenario analysis
- Water quality modelling
The exercises consist of a series of applications that focus on the first part of the course: determination of rainfall losses through different methods, unit hydrograph applications, hydrologic river routing.
A second part consists of the application of a hydrologic simulator.
A third part consists of an analysis of a peer reviewed paper on hydrological (catchment) modelling and linking it to the theoretical principles.
Self-learning material will be available for parts of the exercises and the students are expected to use this material to familiarise themselves with the concepts provided by this material. A Q&A session will be organized to tackle potential issues.
Presence is compulsary for all practical sessions.
The course contributes to the following learning outcomes, as defined by the Faculty of Engineering Sciences of the VUB (Civil Engineering):
The student has in-depth knowledge and understanding of advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes (LO3)
The student can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity) (LO4)
The student has
· consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects (LO14)
· the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context (LO15)
The student can
· quantify the hydrologic processes, select appropriate hydrologic simulation tools and integrate them into hydrologic design procedures (LO21)
· develop, calibrate, validate and use numerical tools used for the simulation of water systems (river basins) in the in the framework of water management problems (LO24)
Specific aims and objectives
During the exercises, the students are also being trained on the development of their reasoning ability and critical reflection and on the writing of reports. Students are also trained in the use of up-to-date simulation models. The exercises encourage to develop the students' skills with respect to self-study.
Examination requirements
The student knows and understands
· the basic principles and equations used in hydrology
· the main characteristics and applications of the different types of hydrologic simulators
The students can
· quantify the hydrologic processes and integrate them into hydrologic design procedures
· select an appropriate simulator, based on the characteristics of the given problem
· assess the applicability of any new simulator, to understand its functioning and to learn how to use it through self-learning, based on what was learned in this course
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The score of the practical report on modelling is the same for the first and second term.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Geography: Standard track
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (BRUFACE)