MIKE by DHI UK and Ireland Blog

Foundation course in the numerical modelling of waves and tides (Understanding the Coastal Ocean)

We have received a lot of interest in the forthcoming ‘Foundation course in the numerical modelling of waves and tides (Understanding the Coastal Ocean)’ training course. Feedback from interested parties - including those who have already signed up for the course - suggests that the course was originally scheduled too early in the new year. As such, we have taken the difficult decision to reschedule the course for later in the year (we would tentatively propose a date in June 2015).

We will take this additional time to review the course content to ensure that it best serves those registered (particularly those participants from UK and Ireland Consultants) - the course has been designed to teach participants numerical modelling in the marine environment using MIKE 21; reinforcing hands on exercises with robust theory.

In the meantime, if you are interested in attending the course, please e-mail sjf@dhigroup.com. For those participants who have already registered, we will take your interest forward and keep you informed.

How to create and run a MIKE 21 FMHD model in 10 minutes and 52 seconds



Work in progress...

Teaching and research with MIKE by DHI - Dr Björn Elsäßer (Queen’s University Belfast)



Presented at the 2014 MIKE by DHI UK Symposium on 13th to 14th May 2014.

2014 MIKE by DHI UK Symposium
Date: 13th to 14th May 2014
Venue: Coombe Abbey Hotel, Warwickshire, UK
Cost: Free event (excepting accommodation costs - see below)
Registration: http://www.mikebydhi.com/GlobalEvents/UKUGM2014.aspx

We are now very close to finalising the agenda for the 2014 MIKE by DHI UK Symposium (see below). This event hosts our annual User Group Meeting as well as a free-of-charge Training Day. For the latter, we are aiming to provide discussion led, seminar style training sessions in a diverse range of subjects including: -

• Wave transformation, overtopping of coastal defences and flooding (MIKE 21 BW 1D & MIKE 21 FMHD)
• Fully integrated riverine, urban pipe & overland flow flood modelling (MIKE FLOOD 3-way Coupling & Flexible Mesh)
• Introduction to FEFLOW

Discharge calculator for MIKE Zero 2014 64-bit

A simple extension to the standard MIKE 21 Discharge Calculation tool that adds support for multiple cross sections. The points defining the cross sections must be given as j,k (grid) coordinates, and written in a text file as follows: -

Example

! j1,k1 j2,k2 Name
50,50 55,55 firstCRS
50,75 55,80 secondCRS
55,80 60,85 thirdCRS
60,85 65,90 forthCRS
65,90 70,95 fifthCRS

For installation, you need to have MIKE Zero 2014 64-bit on your PC. It does not need to be located in any specific place, simply copy and unzip to any folder. We have also attached a template text file with j,k coordinates.


Notes: -

1. Care should be taken when using the tool with MIKE 11 Maps output (h,p,q) to calculate combined discharges for rivers and floodplains. If a 1D river channel is very nearly sub-grid (i.e. the MIKE 11 channel occupies only one MIKE 21 cell), the 2D resolution across the river may not be sufficiently fine to accurately calculate the topographic properties (e.g. local water depth), and hence the discharge component, of the river channel. In such cases you should run the tool on the MIKE 21 results (e.g. floodplain flows only) and add the calculated discharges to 1D discharges exported from MIKE 11 (e.g. from within MIKE View).
2. Generally, there is a high degree of uncertainty in providing combined discharges at river nodes; for example, the orientation of the cross section will vary the calculated discharge (flows will be different if the ‘cross sections’ are normal to either the river channel or valley itself), similarly integrating discrete points within the main river bed in 2D may deviate from the 1D discharge results at the same location, some floodplain configurations are not conducive to calculating a single combined flow rate, etc. As such, we would require that you undertake to verify the derived outputs to satisfy your own quality assurance procedures (as you would with any numerical modelling exercise).
3. Please be aware that this tool is non-commercial and is provided ‘as is’ without warranty. The tool has not been subjected to the same rigorous validation and improvement / update programme as our commercial software and, as such, is to be used at your own risk. The functionality and accuracy of the tool must be checked and verified prior to use.

Representation of vegetation growth in channels and floodplains

MIKE 11 has long been able to manipulate channel roughness (Manning's n) with a time series file. This can be very useful in modelling the effect of long term vegetation growth in unmaintained river channels, and to optimise river maintenance regimes. In fact, there are a number of ways to vary roughness during a MIKE 11 simulation: -

1) Resistance factor varies by time

Set as a boundary condition.

• Boundary description: Global or Distributed Source
• Boundary Type: Resistance factor

The time series file contains a multiplication factor which is applied to the defined channel roughness during the simulation (e.g. at each time step).

2) Resistance factor varies by a function of depth, velocity, both, etc

Set as a hydrodynamic parameter.

• Bed Resist. Toolbox
• Bed resistance equation: Not active, function of ln(velocity*Hydraulic Radius), function of depth, function of velocity or Table (Velocity, Resistance value)

All features (equations and table) can be defined both globally and locally, and for uniform or triple zone approaches.

Additionally, time varying roughness is also possible in MIKE 21 (e.g. for 2D flow on floodplains when using MIKE FLOOD). Please see the example below: -

Local Flash Flood warning System

Read more >>>

Our Local Flash Flood Warning System uses a combination of data processing, modelling and communication tools to give you the timely and accurate forecasts required to aid in proper decision making. It considers the catchment area as a whole – including flood plain and tributaries – thereby providing a more integrated, flexible and holistic approach to forecasting flash floods.

Conventional flood warning systems mainly focus on discharge predictions in the main rivers. However, local floods in smaller streams and tributaries (not generally covered by conventional warning systems) may cause a large amount of damage – particularly in urban areas.

Our Local Flash Flood Warning System overcomes this challenge by considering the entire catchment area as a whole. The system is based on existing and newly developed components of our MIKE CUSTOMISED by DHI framework. It effectively utilises a large variety of input data, sophisticated mathematical models, and advanced hydrological analysis processes.

Some of the key benefits of the system: -

• Ability to effectively forecast local flash floods by covering the entire catchment area
• Frequent forecast updates appropriate for local dynamic rainfall events and storms
• Flexibility in terms of connecting to data sources

Predicting long-term shoreline movements

Read more >>>

Detailed sediment transport description from our two-dimensional (2D) coastal model, combined with a shoreline evolution model can help to effectively predict long-term shoreline movements. Our solution can thereby enable long-term forecasts of impacts of coastal structures on coastal processes and thereby help maintain integrity of the coastline.

Valid predictions of long-term shoreline movements are vital to mitigate or prepare for erosion and changes in coastal stability. Our new shoreline model introduces the concept of a 1-line model for shoreline evolution within the MIKE 21 FM framework. The model can be applied to problems over a longer time scale. This is due to the simplifications imposed on the morphologic evolution of the coastal profile, when compared with the existing two-dimensional (2D) morphological model MIKE 21 Coupled FM.

Some of the key benefits of the new shoreline model: -

• Ability to calculate stable shoreline and shoreline envelopes and compare shoreline movements for different scenarios
• Inherent inclusion of the effects of coastal structures in the shoreline model
• Ability to make long-term predictions of coastal structure interactions and their impact on coastal processes
• Maintenance of coastal profile integrity

Helping you select the best aquaculture sites for optimal production

Read more >>>

At DHI, our advanced modelling techniques and environmental and hydrodynamic expertise can help you identify optimal sites for aquaculture production. Our innovative solution combines our knowledge of chemical and biological conditions with the three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic modelling of our MIKE by DHI software.

The selection of suitable sites for marine aquaculture is essential for economically viable production. Different environmental requirements, such as light, nutrients, oxygen and water column stratification, must be taken into account, during such site selections.

With our 3D MIKE model and extensive knowledge, we can help you identify the best areas for optimal aquaculture production throughout the year. We can also calculate and quantify potential disease dispersal, helping you identify more safe places for future aquacultures location. Moreover our site selection tools can aid you in selecting sites with high dilution capacities to ensure that medical products and copper do not exceed the maximum allowable concentration.

Marine application


3D model (MIKE 3 FMHD with MIKE 3 FMPT)

Two simultaneous releases both made at 3.0m below the water surface. The square markers are the neutrally buoyant particles (e.g. bacteriological effluent), and these are permanently deposited (i.e. not re-suspended) upon contact with the bed. The triangular markers are negatively buoyant particles that have a positive fall velocity (e.g. sand), these are allowed to re-suspend upon contact with the bed. The reduced flow speeds near the bed (from the 3D model) can be clearly seen by the movement of the sand particles. Marker colour changes to represent the vertical position of the particle.

Riverine application


2D model (MIKE 21 FMHD with MIKE 21 FMPT)

Neutrally buoyant particles released at bed level in a river with a varying flow. The trails show the previous location of the particles (for the last 3 time steps).

Development of new modelling tools for national marine water planning based on ECO Lab

Our ecological modelling software, ECO Lab, will be used in a new project with the aim to develop an advanced set of dynamic modelling tools, which will be the official tools for marine water planning in Denmark in the coming years.

The project is initiated as a collaboration between DHI and Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE). The project will develop and apply ecosystem models by using our MIKE by DHI software, ECO Lab, and addressing the governing coastal processes and ecosystem services such as sediment processes, sea grass, algal growth and oxygen depletion.

For more information, click here or contact Anders Erichsen, DHI.

You can also read more about ecological modelling by clicking the links below:

• Applying ECO Lab for solving ecosystem challenges
• Modelling the behaviour of organisms with ABM Lab in response to the environment

Read the full November 2013 Edition of the MIKE by DHI NetWork newsletter here.

Enabling optimised construction of the London Array offshore wind farm

Our real-time system provided accurate forecasts of Metocean conditions on a detailed spatial and temporal scale for the world’s largest wind farm – London Array. This enabled London Array Ltd. – the consortium behind the wind farm – to optimise the construction of the offshore wind farm. The result: minimised delays and ensured safety for those working on the project.

Situated in the outer Thames Estuary, is the world’s largest offshore wind farm: the 1 GW London Array. Weather conditions in this area are often challenging, which made construction and installation of the wind farm difficult. As such, high-quality and reliable Metocean data was vital for the successful planning and installation of London Array’s foundations and turbines.

London Array Ltd. needed to be able to predict available weather windows. We used our 30 years of experience in Metocean forecasting for this purpose. This ensured that the London Array project benefitted from the most up-to-date and advanced technologies, combined with local experience of forecasting techniques and equipment.

By assisting London Array Ltd. with forecasting Metocean conditions, our system helped keep delays to a minimum during the construction phase. In addition, our system also enabled London Array Ltd. to efficiently plan maintenance work during the operations phase.

Read more.

CARM wins Australia’s national Environmental Engineering Excellence Award

On 20 November 2013, the Institution of Engineers Australia awarded the Computer Aided River Management (CARM) project the Environmental Engineering Excellence Award. This prestigious award honours the top achievements in environmental engineering and the sustainable use of natural resources. The award was received by our client State Water Corporation of New South Wales.

Our software is the backbone of CARM – a Decision Support System (DSS) based on MIKE CUSTOMISED by DHI components. CARM gives State Water Corporation an insight into the current and forecasted state of the Murrumbidgee River. It utilises a suite of MIKE by DHI models to reproduce key catchment and river processes for the entire 1,600 km river system, and combines them with real-time measurements. This allows river operators to combine dam releases with natural tributary inflows to deliver the right amount of water when and where it is needed.

For more information on the CARM project, click here

Read the October 2013 Edition of the DHI Group newsletter here.

Previews of MIKE by DHI Release 2014

Approximately once a year, we release a new version of our MIKE by DHI software - and this year is no exception. We would like to reveal herewith a preview of some of the new and exciting features to be released later this year. We hope these new features will improve your experience with our software products, regarding usability, productivity as well as enhanced applications.

MIKE Zero 2014 – beyond memory limitations
 
Unleash the full potential of your hardware with MIKE Zero release 2014.

MIKE Zero is the overall graphical user interface (GUI) framework for most of the MIKE by DHI products and the coming release will introduce the entire MIKE Zero framework to our users as a true 64-bit application. This completes the transition process of MIKE Zero based products from 32-bit applications with Windows operating system limitations on memory usage to unlimited and true 64-bit applications.

It includes all MIKE Zero user interface components, toolboxes and utilities as well as our computational engines.

Memory usage is now only limited by your hardware. Common, memory demanding operations such as high resolution mesh generation, results analysis and processing are now possible without any risk of limitations from built-in limitations within your PC’s operating system. Enjoy the unlimited capabilities of MIKE Zero with Release 2014 of MIKE by DHI!

Including overtopping in MIKE 21 and MIKE 3
 
In the last few years, there has been a growing focus on the phenomenon of overtopping of coastal structures like sea walls and other defence structures. This increased interest is due to more frequent loss of human life and economic losses.

In release 2014 of MIKE 21 HD and MIKE 3 HD (FM versions), we are introducing a new feature that gives you the possibility of including overtopping in your hydrodynamic simulations.

In release 2012, a new dike structure was introduced that made it possible to use this type of structures in a flexible manner. This dike structure has now been enhanced allowing you to choose either to directly specify the overtopping discharge or to have the overtopping discharge calculated by specifying a table that expresses the overflow as a function of the freeboard, wave height and period. The direct specification of overtopping can be constant or varying – both in time and along the dike.

When you choose to have the overtopping calculated, the dynamic variation of the simulation results is taken into account. We expect to introduce more developments of these aspects in upcoming versions.

Restore and recreate views in FEFLOW with the new scene library panel

The new FEFLOW 6.2 will feature a very convenient tool to store different views in your FEFLOW model or results files. Supermesh, slice, 3D and cross-section view settings can be stored in a Scene Library panel, which will allow you to easily restore or recreate views from stored scenes. The library will provide different filters and an option to create folders and lists in order to organise the stored scenes according to your preferences.

As an additional benefit, the provided import and export functionality will facilitate the creation of a large number of identical views in different model scenarios – all with just a few mouse clicks.

With this new feature, view windows no longer need to remain open in order not to lose the chosen view settings but can be stored in the Scene Library. This will require less memory usage and CPU time.

Link to ICFR 2013 Website

International Conference on Flood Resilience:
Experiences in Asia and Europe

5-7 September 2013
Exeter, United Kingdom

A belated thank you to the team at the University of Exeter (David Butler, Albert Chen, Slobodan Djordjević, Michael Hammond, their colleagues and students), and their CORFU partners, for the exceptional ICFR 2013 conference held in September 2013. It was great to see so many fantastic presentations of projects featuring innovative use of MIKE by DHI software (particularly MIKE URBAN and MIKE FLOOD) and new MIKE CUSTOMISED solutions.

DHI's Ole Mark speaks at ICFR 2013

There were many favourite papers over the course of the three day event (featuring, for example, the use of social media for flood calibration and transport of contaminated flood waters) but here are just two that caught our eye: -

• Flood damage assessment for urban growth scenarios - A. S. Chen (presenter), M. J. Hammond, S. Djordjević, D. Butler
• Getting started with urban flood modelling for real-time pluvial flood forecasting - Jeanne-Rose René (presenter), Slobodan Djordjević, David Butler, Henrik Madsen, Ole Mark

Many ICFR authors have agreed to share their presentation and poster files. You may visit the ICFR website and download the files that you are interested in here. The ICFR proceedings book with extended summaries and the CD with full papers are now available from the ICFR website here.

The University of Exeter have also developed a CORFU Flood Damage Assessment Tool (compatible with the Multi-Coloured Manual) for MIKE 21, MIKE FLOOD and MIKE URBAN results files (i.e. dfs2 and dfsu). We hope to have more information on this tool very soon.

Previews of MIKE by DHI Release 2014

Approximately once a year, we release a new version of our MIKE by DHI software - and this year is no exception. We would like to reveal herewith a preview of some of the new and exciting features to be released later this year. We hope these new features will improve your experience with our software products, regarding usability, productivity as well as enhanced applications.

Introducing MIKE 21 GPU

If you are using MIKE 21 FM HD or Flexible Mesh solver with MIKE FLOOD, you are getting a pleasant surprise with Release 2014! With the new release, your update package will automatically include a brand new version of the MIKE 21 FM HD module. The new version, MIKE 21 GPU (Graphical Processor Units), is “GPU-card enabled”. This means that it is able to use the graphics card on your PC to speed up simulations significantly.

Speed up you models
Depending on the model setup and the type of GPU, the speed-up can be a factor 100 or more compared to running the same simulation on a single processor CPU.

For some model setups and GPUs, this also means that MIKE 21 FM is now faster than MIKE 21 “Classic” - the single grid version of MIKE 21 HD - when using exactly the same rectangular mesh.

The technology behind MIKE 21 GPU: How does it work?
The computational engine of MIKE 21 FM HD has been reprogrammed to make use of the latest graphical processor units - hardware that is otherwise typically used for speeding up computer games.

How will I get MIKE 21 GPU?
MIKE 21 GPU will become available, at no extra cost, to all owners of corporate licences of MIKE 21 or MIKE FLOOD with valid SMA. This means that there will be no licence fee and no increase in SMA costs. If you do not have a valid SMA or if you own a personal licence, you will be able to purchase it as an upgrade to your existing software.

Where can I read more about MIKE 21 GPU?
We have produced a detailed performance report, including comparisons of the performance of MIKE 21 GPU with the non-GPU enabled MIKE 21 FM HD. Click here to read the report.

For more information about MIKE 21 GPU, check out future issues of this new newsletter or contact our software support team.

Introducing exciting new possibilities in MIKE Animator Plus

Version 2012 of MIKE by DHI included a completely re-engineered version of MIKE Animator, designed to be a very flexible tool for producing high quality video animations of modelling results. The most prominent new features in version 2012 were the support of MIKE 3 files (including the ability to slice and take out transects and iso-surfaces) and also improved picture draping functionality.

We have continued the development of MIKE Animator Plus and version 2014 will contain three new and interesting possibilities:

Visualisation of solids: Enhancing realism and recognition of locations
The inclusion of solids can improve the animations significantly through enhancing realism and recognition of locations, for example by including fixed elements like buildings or dams or moving elements like ships. Version 2014 will support the placement of solids inside the model domain. These elements have to be created in 3DS format and then loaded into MIKE Animator Plus. Moreover, they can move inside the animation, which means that a ship can be sailing as part of the animation.

Visualisation of particles: Enhancing result communication
Output files with particle trajectories from the Particle Tracking (PT) modules (MIKE 21 PT and MIKE 3 PT) and from the Agent Based Modelling (ABM) modules (ABM for MIKE 21 and MIKE 3) will now be supported in MIKE Animator Plus. This will enhance the possibilities for result communication from these modules significantly. Click here to view an example.

Support of MIKE SHE files: High quality animations of MIKE SHE results
Also, output from MIKE SHE will now be supported in MIKE Animator Plus in order to allow for high quality animations of MIKE SHE results. This will include animation of overland flow as well as 3D groundwater flow.

New water quality option in MIKE HYDRO Basin

MIKE HYDRO Basin is our new generation of integrated river basin analysis software for water recourses planning and management.

MIKE HYDRO Basin was initially introduced with the current release 2012 containing a large number of features relevant for integrated river basin management applications. Developments continue for MIKE HYDRO Basin and one of the new exiting features being introduced in release 2014 is the option of applying water quality simulations within your river basin management applications.

Water quality options in the basin management software package have traditionally been limited to a few hard-coded water quality formulations. However, the new release will include a major upgrade in that respect, as water quality modelling in MIKE HYDRO Basin will be using the open and very flexible ECO Lab modelling framework. This will allow you to alter existing water quality templates or create your own model templates from scratch. Therefore, the ECO Lab option will greatly enhance the options for applying tailored water quality modelling for your particular water resources management or planning project.

UK Hazard Mapping with MIKE FLOOD and ECO Lab: Solving the Debris Factor Problem in 2D Flood Modelling

MIKE by DHI Release 2012 introduced an option for generating Flood Hazard Maps in MIKE 21 / MIKE FLOOD using ECO Lab (without the need for customers to have an ECO Lab module in their licence!).

Depending upon the approach adopted (e.g. the ‘Flood Risks to People’ guidance from Defra / EA) MIKE FLOOD can utilise the flood water depths, velocities, and land use data to seamlessly calculate both the correct debris factor and appropriate flood hazard rating in each grid cell / element and at each time step in a simulation.

For the UK, the templates are based upon the Environment Agency document 'SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE ON FLOOD HAZARD RATINGS AND THRESHOLDS FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND CONTROL PURPOSE – Clarification of the Table 13.1 of FD2320/TR2 and Figure 3.2 of FD2321/TR1'.

Download the templates and supporting documentation here: -

• ECO Lab templates for the calculation of Flood Hazard Rating using MIKE FLOOD or MIKE 21
• Stamped (License free) Hazard-Templates (.zip file*)
• Background information

* The four templates included in the .zip file are all ‘signed’ by DHI such that ECO Lab can be activated in a combined MIKE 21 / MIKE FLOOD + ECO Lab simulation and Hazard Maps are produced as an ‘on-the-fly’ result from the 2D simulation – without the need for the user to have an ECO Lab module in their license. The templates can be used for both MIKE 21 'Classic' and MIKE 21 FM!

The templates are provided ‘As is’ without warranty, so please check the results carefully if you use them.

For more information, and to request changes or updates to the templates, please e-mail mikebydhi.uk@dhigroup.com

Simulation of Coastal Inundation by Waves Using MIKE 21

Inundation by storm surges and tsunamis, as well as smaller storm waves, is a considerable risk faced by coastal communities. Over the past few years, flood events on the eastern coast of the USA, as well as in Japan and the Indian Ocean, for example, have highlighted the need for an understanding of potential impacts. The instructional document here presents a summary of methods (as previously used by DHI) for investigating large wave inundation using MIKE by DHI software: -



This document is for information only and does not constitute consultancy advice (No liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the advice provided is accepted).

Simulation of extreme water levels around the coast of Australia

MIKE 21 FMHD was used to simulate extreme water levels around the coast of Australia in order to determine exceedence probabilities due to combined tide and tropical storm events. Ivan Haigh of Southampton University and a number of his colleagues working on the project have produced two very interesting papers detailing the model construction, validation and post-processing undertaken to derive the spatially varying data set. Ivan has kindly made the papers available to 2013 User Group Meeting participants: -

• Estimating present day extreme water level exceedance probabilities around the coastline of Australia: tides, extra-tropical storm surges and mean sea level
• Estimating present day extreme water level exceedance probabilities around the coastline of Australia: tropical cyclone-induced storm surges

Dr Ivan Haigh's personal home page can be found here.

Sediment Modelling to Support the Design of New River Structures Using MIKE 21 FM

The complexities of mesh optimisation and sediment transport in a river are brought together in the presentation of Mark Cramman from MWH. Quadrangular elements have been used to define flow control structures in the complex river flow field and the performance of new structure designs have been assessed by considering the impact on sediment transport processes.

Sharing Experiences of Flood Modelling Using MIKE 21

Although unfortunately unable to attend in person this year, Lei Yang of Arup prepared two case studies of flood modelling using MIKE 21 FMHD detailing the typical issues raised and addressed by Flood Risk Assessments. Case 1 includes comments on the use of a one-dimensional weir structure in a coastal flooding scenario. Case 2 includes the use of buried culverts in an inland site with three brooks and a recorded history of flooding.

Photos from the first day (21st March 2013)!


Thanks to everyone who participated!

Photos from the second day (20th March 2013)!


Thanks to everyone who participated in the training sessions!

Metocean Modelling for Marine Renewables (Thematic Course)

On the 21st and 22nd March 2013 we will be holding a public training course on ‘Metocean Modelling for Marine Renewables’ in Shropshire, UK.

This two-day, thematic hands-on course introduces modelling and analyses of relevance for marine renewable energy projects. It enables the practitioner to understand the benefits and limitations of metocean design data and provides guidelines on how to develop these. The course is focused on our ‘Best Practices’ for coastal and offshore projects for wind turbines wave and tidal power and marine infrastructure projects.

The course will cover the following topics: -

• Metocean data sources and quality assessment
• Recognised standards and guidelines
• Introduction to wave modelling using MIKE 21 models
• Introduction to flow modelling using MIKE 21 models
• Metocean modelling
• Model calibration and skill assessment
• Hindcast and forecast simulations
• Analysis and presentation of metocean data
• Yield estimation for wave and tidal power plants

The course is directed towards project engineers, who need an introduction to off-shore metocean modelling and analysis, or project managers with a need to understand the advantages and limitations of best practice methods in the establishment of normal and extreme environmental parameters.

For more information please download the course flyer here. Alternatively, please telephone the UK Team on +44 (0) 1189 000745 or e-mail mikebydhi.uk@dhigroup.com.

The above training course is placed in continuation of the UK User Group Meeting at the same venue. Course participants are welcome to join the User Group Meeting free of charge!