Practical aspects of integrated 1D2D flood modelling of urban floodplains using LiDAR topography data
Abstract
Flood risk, a major risk facing mankind today, is projected to aggravate in view of the
future predictions pertaining to the assessment of climate change scenarios.
Traditionally, flood risk assessment exercises of urban floodplains have been carried out
using 1D model as well as 1D model with storage cells. In view of the recent
availability of high quality Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) topography data,
availability of higher computing capacities, developments in the numerical computing
techniques and the merits of an integrated 1D2D computing modelling method,
integrated 1D2D modelling has gained a momentum for strategic flood risk
management (SFRM) and detailed urban flood risk analysis.
The research discussed in this thesis evaluates this modelling method using high quality
LiDAR data in light of the results from the traditionally used 1D model with storage
cells modelling method.
The research study was carried out using laboratory experimental observation data,
hypothetical urban floodplain data and data for a section of the River Clyde and
adjoining urban floodplain in Glasgow, a major city in Scotland, UK.
It concludes that, while integrated 1D2D models are of much benefit for a detailed flood
risk analysis, specific attention needs to be paid towards the lateral extents of 1D model
and the source of the river bank elevations while integrating it with a 2D model,
particularly so when such a study is carried out for urban floodplains; and that the high
quality LiDAR data significantly facilitates Strategic Flood Risk Modelling (SRFM) of
urban floodplains.