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Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering
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Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "New Sensors, New Technologies and Machine Learning in Water Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 3654

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dongfang Liang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Interests: hydrodynamics; water engineering; hydro-environment; sediment transport; water/soil/structure interactions; flood risk management
Prof. Dr. Hao Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute, Kaifeng 475000, China
Interests: hydraulic engineering; fluid mechanics; flood disaster prevention; water Resources management; model experiment and numerical caculation
Prof. Dr. Yizi Shang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, China
Interests: hydrodynamics; hydrology and water resources; mathematical modelling; river network
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mathematical models have played increasingly important roles in investigating complex water resources and water environmental problems over the past 100 years. As early as the beginning of the last century, researchers began to analyze the practical hydrological phenomena and hydro-environmental processes using approximate scientific models, applying these mathematical models to predict the hydrological processes and pollutant distributions in catchments and water bodies based on the physical principles of various degrees of complexities. These efforts not only avoided the high cost of physical model experiments, but also significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of quantitative research. In the 1970s and 1980s, high-level computer programming languages were widely adopted. Specifically, the rise of Fortran further promoted the application of mathematical modeling techniques in the fields of water resources and water environment. Numerical models were developed for watershed runoff calculations, rainfall runoff simulations, complex river network hydrodynamic simulations, water resource evaluation calculations, and so on. In the 21st century, the integration of artificial intelligence technology, especially deep learning models, has offered an alternative paradigm for handling complex systems with increased accuracy and efficiency. With the rapid development of big data technology, scientific computing is now evolving from the traditional physical-based calculations to the increasingly popular data-driven models based on artificial neural networks. The active research topics include the model selection, algorithm output judgment, visualization of results, useful information extraction, and the integration of physical-based and machine learning approaches.

This Special Issue focuses on mathematical modeling and numerical simulations in the fields of environmental hydraulics and water resource engineering, aiming to share the latest research endeavors, technological progress, and case studies from around the world. We look forward to the integration and application of artificial intelligence technologies into the conventional computational modeling exercises, addressing the difficulties of small datasets, interconnected systems, and extreme environmental changes. We look forward to your contributions. We believe that this Special Issue will bring new perspectives and solutions to the environmental and hydraulic engineering analyses, thus promoting scientific development and technological innovation in this field.

Prof. Dr. Dongfang Liang
Prof. Dr. Hao Hu
Prof. Dr. Yizi Shang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mathematical model
  • water resource
  • water environment
  • numerical simulations
  • artificial intelligence technology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3177 KiB  
Article
Ecological Well-Being Model for Water-Saving Planning in Irrigation Areas of Arid Northwest China
by Hao Hu, Ziwen Wu and Lei Li
Water 2025, 17(8), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081193 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 228
Abstract
Agriculture consumes a large amount of water. Water-saving initiatives can alter the water cycles in irrigation areas, thereby influencing the ecological and environmental processes associated with water circulation. The greater the intensity, scale, and extent of these efforts, the more significant their impact [...] Read more.
Agriculture consumes a large amount of water. Water-saving initiatives can alter the water cycles in irrigation areas, thereby influencing the ecological and environmental processes associated with water circulation. The greater the intensity, scale, and extent of these efforts, the more significant their impact on ecological and environmental systems. Therefore, it is essential for water-saving initiatives to ensure regional ecological well-being. This paper examines the balance between water saving and ecological well-being in northwest China, which is characterized by severe water scarcity, fragile ecological environments, significant water waste in agriculture and ecological usage, and substantial potential for water savings. By integrating deep water-saving controls with ecological protection, this paper proposes an ecological development model for implementing deep water-saving strategies in irrigation areas. This approach is crucial for mitigating water scarcity in the arid regions of northwest China. The Hetao Irrigation District is used as a case study to calculate the maximum water-saving potential while considering ecological conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering)
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18 pages, 7051 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen in Cold Region Rivers Through Numerical Modelling
by Yifan Wu, Julia Blackburn, Yuntong She and Wenming Zhang
Water 2025, 17(8), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081135 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the most critical water quality constituents in cold region rivers. Harsh winter conditions pose significant challenges for DO sampling, making numerical modeling a valuable tool for gaining insights into DO concentrations during winter. Sensitivity analysis is essential [...] Read more.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the most critical water quality constituents in cold region rivers. Harsh winter conditions pose significant challenges for DO sampling, making numerical modeling a valuable tool for gaining insights into DO concentrations during winter. Sensitivity analysis is essential for understanding the relative importance of the model parameters to the DO concentrations; however, such studies are rare. This study conducted a DO sensitivity analysis in the Lower Athabasca River, Canada, using a water quality model with ice effects in the MIKE HYDRO River. The simulated flow, water level, water temperature and DO concentrations closely matched observed values along the study reach. A bidirectional perturbation analysis was conducted to assess the sensitivity of DO concentrations to 14 model parameters. The results indicate that photosynthesis and respiration are the two most influential processes affecting river DO under winter conditions despite lower biomass activity compared to open-water conditions. A distinct seasonal pattern was observed for most parameters, with DO sensitivity during winter ice-covered periods being significantly higher than in summer open-water conditions. The study provides valuable insights for the development of integrated water quality and ice models for cold region rivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering)
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18 pages, 5709 KiB  
Article
Hydrodynamic Optimization of Non-Pressurized Tunnel Intersection of Pumped Storage Power Station
by Jing Tian, Peng Xu, Hao Hu, Dongfang Liang, Yu Wang and Yizi Shang
Water 2025, 17(4), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17040471 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 619
Abstract
The geometry of non-pressurized tunnel intersections governs the hydraulic behavior of the confluence flows, which are critical to the safe operation of pumped storage power stations. To address the issue of water surface levels exceeding the permissible height of the vertical walls at [...] Read more.
The geometry of non-pressurized tunnel intersections governs the hydraulic behavior of the confluence flows, which are critical to the safe operation of pumped storage power stations. To address the issue of water surface levels exceeding the permissible height of the vertical walls at the intersection of the sediment discharge and emptying tunnels close to the lower reservoir of a pumped storage power station, a hydraulic model with a scale of 1:45 was constructed to optimize the intersection design. The optimization process included replacing the straight connection with an arc connection, incorporating an energy dissipation basin into the emptying tunnel, reducing the intersection angle, and increasing the arc radius. During the optimization, the hydraulic behavior of the confluence flow was thoroughly analyzed. This study determined that an arc connection with a 21° intersection angle represented the optimal design. Using the RNG k-ε turbulence model and the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method, a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model was developed to further evaluate the flow patterns, velocity fields, and bottom pressure distributions under both the optimized-design and model-verification conditions. The numerical simulation results, validated against experimental data, exhibited close agreement. The findings demonstrate that the optimized design ensures compliance with specifications, as the maximum water depth no longer exceeds the height of the straight walls. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing tunnel intersections of high-elevation-difference non-pressurized tunnels in pumped storage power stations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering)
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16 pages, 12816 KiB  
Article
Influence of Nutrient Desorbed from Sediments and Density Variations Driven by Organic Matter on Flow Patterns in Closed Water Bodies
by Jinichi Koue
Water 2025, 17(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010100 - 2 Jan 2025
Viewed by 831
Abstract
In enclosed water bodies, water quality deterioration has emerged as a critical environmental issue. Eutrophication contributes to phenomena such as red tides and blue tides, raising concerns about foul odors and adverse impacts on surrounding aquatic ecosystems. Despite efforts to reduce nutrient loading [...] Read more.
In enclosed water bodies, water quality deterioration has emerged as a critical environmental issue. Eutrophication contributes to phenomena such as red tides and blue tides, raising concerns about foul odors and adverse impacts on surrounding aquatic ecosystems. Despite efforts to reduce nutrient loading through water quality management measures, reports of stagnant or a worsening water quality persist. One key factor is the accumulation of nutrients in deep layers. Nutrient-rich fluids form density currents along the lakebed, transporting nutrients and organic matter to deeper regions. This study investigates the hydrodynamic properties of a nutrient release from the lakebed in Lake Biwa using hydrodynamic and ecosystem models. The results reveal that a nutrient release triggers plume formation along sloping lakebed surfaces, facilitating the transport of nutrients and dissolved organic matter. Additionally, water circulation driven by density currents and nutrient concentrations along the slopes generate compensatory flows, leading to dynamic variability in Lake Biwa’s hydrodynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering)
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15 pages, 3480 KiB  
Article
Variation Characteristics of Actual Evapotranspiration and Uncertainty Analysis of Its Response to Local Climate Change in Arid Inland Region of China
by Hui Liu, Xu Zhang, Rongrong Wang, Zhengyan Cui and Xiaoyu Song
Water 2024, 16(21), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213091 - 29 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1075
Abstract
Exploring the variation characteristics of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and its response to climate change in the arid inland region of China is of great significance for strengthening regional water resources management and maintaining ecological environment security and stability. Taking the Dulan River Basin [...] Read more.
Exploring the variation characteristics of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and its response to climate change in the arid inland region of China is of great significance for strengthening regional water resources management and maintaining ecological environment security and stability. Taking the Dulan River Basin as the research area, based on the meteorological data from the Wulan Station and hydrological data from the Shanggaba Station from 1981 to 2020, the variation characteristics of ETa at the annual scale were analyzed. The ETa estimation model and joint distribution model of P and potential evapotranspiration (ET0) was constructed based on climate factors, and the uncertainty of ETa response to climate change was explored with the water balance method, multiple linear regression, marginal distribution function, Copula function, and Monte Carlo algorithm. The results showed that the multi-year mean value of ETa in the study area was 261.6 mm, and the interannual process showed an insignificant upward trend, and had no abrupt change during the period. There were two obvious main cycles, which were 19-year periodic changes on the 30-year time scale and 6-year periodic changes on the 9-year time scale. The ETa estimation model based on precipitation (P) and ET0 had good simulation accuracy. The optimal marginal distributions of P and ET0 were Pearson-III (P-III) distribution and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution, respectively. The Copula joint distribution probability density of P and ET0 was a symmetric saddle-shaped distribution. ETa showed an inverted ‘S’ distribution with the change in joint guarantee rate of P and ET0, ranging from 116.9 mm to 498.6 mm. ETa was an interval range under a certain joint guarantee rate. The research results can provide support for the assessment of ETa, and help to further understand the driving mechanism of climate change on ETa in the arid inland region of China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Modelling Techniques in Environmental Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering)
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