Finite Element Modeling of Flow in Wetlands

by Ian P. King, Univ of California, Davis, United States,
Lisa C. Roig, Univ of California, Davis, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Requirements for developing a mathematical model of unsteady flow in wetlands are suggested. An equivalent continuum approximation is appropriate to avoid problems of describing the turbulence behavior between stems of vegetation, which cannot be properly resolved in densely packed vegetation. Vertically integrated models are practical for most types of studies, but care must be taken to account for variation of the marsh resistance characteristics with water depth. The model should be applicable over a range of spatial resolutions, so that the degree of resolution can be adjusted to fit the modeling problem. The finite element method offers several advantages over other numerical methods for applying a wetland flow model to real systems.

Subject Headings: Finite element method | Mathematical models | Fluid flow | Wetlands (coastal) | Vegetation | Unsteady flow | Numerical methods

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