Complex 2D Modelling Of Urban Flooding, Dubai
- Alastair Sheppard
- Nov 17, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 13
What our customers say:
“A 2D hydraulic model was essential for this project to accurately analyse the complex flow patterns in the urban environment. Given the tight timeframe for completing the modelling, Flood Modeller was chosen for its rapid simulation runtimes, ensuring timely and efficient execution of the study.”
Patrick Gervais, Water Engineer, Jacobs
The Emirate of Dubai hosted EXPO 2020, an international showcase of emerging technology and innovative ideas from around the world. In addition to constructing the EXPO facilities, the Emirate extended their existing rapid transit rail system to transport visitors to the EXPO. This project, known as EXPOlink 2020, was entrusted to Jacobs for delivery and commissioning.
Dubai is a dry desert country, with mean annual rainfall totalling approximately 10 mm per year. It is also one of the fastest urbanising countries in the world, a trend expected to continue well into the future. Due to the dry environment, little attention has historically been paid to drainage infrastructure master planning.
The combination of rapid development and a lack of drainage infrastructure has led to widespread urban flooding during heavy rainfall in recent years. The Dubai Municipality requested that all design efforts for the EXPO facilities and EXPOlink 2020 incorporate projected flood levels to reduce the risk of damage to infrastructure assets and loss of human life.
A 2D hydraulic model was essential for this project to accurately analyse the complex flow patterns in the urban environment. Given the tight timeframe for completing the modelling, Flood Modeller was chosen for its rapid simulation runtimes, ensuring timely and efficient execution of the study.
Flood Modeller offers three advanced 2D solvers, extensively tested on projects worldwide for hydraulic and environmental studies. For this particular project, the 2D ADI solver was chosen for its combination of features necessary to deliver the project successfully.
Key Facts
Dubai's annual rainfall totals approximately 10mm.
Flood Modeller was chosen for its 2D ADI solver, which quickly and accurately models complex urban flows.
Historically, little attention has been paid to drainage infrastructure master planning.
A 2D hydraulic model was essential for this project to analyse the complex flow patterns in the urban environment.
The modelling included four hydrologic events and worst-case flooding scenarios from pipe bursts.
A detailed topographic surface for the project was created using a topographical 3m grid derived from laser scanning survey data. Runoff calculations were performed using a combination of direct 2D runoff calculations on the surface and 1D hydrology to calculate runoff from lateral drainage areas onto the surface. This approach compressed the modelling timeframe while optimising the use of available data.
The modelling included four hydrologic events (50-year and 100-year events, with 6-hour and 24-hour durations) as well as worst-case scenarios for flooding resulting from pipe bursts (potable water, irrigation, cooling water, and sanitary force main).
To quickly obtain the final 2D depth and water surface elevation grids and meet the challenging project schedule, model simulations were run using Flood Platform.
Following a review of the results by the Municipality, the findings were used in the design of the stations along the proposed EXPOlink 2020 route.
