Real-time urban flood modeling: exploring the sub-grid approach for accurate simulation and hazard analysis

R. Reshma (), N. Nithila Devi () and Soumendra Nath Kuiry ()
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R. Reshma: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
N. Nithila Devi: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Soumendra Nath Kuiry: Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2024, vol. 120, issue 11, No 10, 9609-9647

Abstract: Abstract The increasing magnitude of monetary and life losses caused by urban floods worldwide has sparked a deeper interest among researchers in comprehending these phenomena. Accurate modeling and forecasting of floods play a pivotal role in developing effective strategies for flood damage mitigation and management, thereby reducing associated hazards. A critical concern in this endeavor is optimizing the trade-off between computation time and accuracy when simulating real-time flood events. This paper aims to establish the superiority of the sub-grid approach in achieving accurate simulation results of real-time flood events within minimal computational time. By conducting simulations of one experimental test and two real-world flood events using the HEC-RAS flow simulation model, we demonstrate that the sub-grid approach significantly reduces computation time by approximately 90% while faithfully capturing the dynamics of urban flood. In contrast, the non-sub-grid approach often over-predicts flow dynamics in urban areas and fails to effectively trace building footprints, resulting in unrealistic flow patterns and under or overstating the hazard maps. In a nutshell, the sub-grid hydraulic modeling approach enables better hazard analysis and mapping. The outcomes of this research provide valuable guidance to modelers and authorities, suggesting the adoption of the sub-grid approach for accurate and reliable real-time urban flood modeling, inundation forecasting, and hazard zoning in the context of urban flood hazard analysis.

Keywords: Urban flood; Urban flood modeling; Sub-grid approach; Hazard analysis; Flood risk; Hazard map (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-024-06579-0

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