Hydrologic and Water Quality Model Development Using Simulink

Abstract

A stormwater runoff model based on the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) method and a finite-volume based water quality model have been developed to investigate the use of Simulink for use in teaching and research. Simulink, a MATLAB extension, is a graphically based model development environment for system modeling and simulation. Widely used for mechanical and electrical systems, Simulink has had less use for modeling of hydrologic systems. The watershed model is being considered for use in teaching graduate-level courses in hydrology and/or stormwater modeling. Simulink's block (data process) and arrow (data transfer) object model, the copy and paste user interface, the large number of existing blocks, and the absence of computer code allows students to become model developers almost immediately. The visual depiction of systems, their component subsystems, and the flow of data through the systems are ideal attributes for hands-on teaching of hydrologic and mass balance processes to today's computer-savvy visual learners. Model development with Simulink for research purposes is also investigated. A finite volume, multi-layer pond model using the water quality kinetics present in CE-QUAL-W2 has been developed using Simulink. The model is one of the first uses of Simulink for modeling eutrophication dynamics in stratified natural systems. The model structure and a test case are presented. OPEN ACCESSOne use of the model for teaching a graduate-level water quality modeling class is also described.

Oscillating body wave energy conversion efficiency based on Simulink simulation training

“…According to Equations ( 15) and ( 16), in the simulation training of oscillator and float in Simulink software, the simulation of oscillator and float under the action of wave excitation force and wave excitation moment fcosω, Lcosω respectively in the first 40 wave cycles. Based on the above mathematical model, the S-Function module of MATLAB is used to calculate the vertical wave excitation moment and the longitudinal wave excitation force of the float and the vibrator based on Equations ( 15) and (16). Using the modules in the Simulink toolbox, after setting the corresponding parameters, then according to the internal transmission…”

“…The Simulink block library is vast and includes tools for control systems, neural networks, fuzzy logic, DSP, signal creation and processing, visualization, and many more specialized toolboxes. 16 It is reported that Simulink as a modeling method has been widely used in many engineering fields, but its application in WEC modeling is still very limited. In this article, a new model of an oscillating body WEC device consisting of a floater, vibrator, and PTO system was established based on the Simulink simulation.…”

“…Simulink is an extension of MATLAB and is one of the most effective simulation tools. The Simulink block library is vast and includes tools for control systems, neural networks, fuzzy logic, DSP, signal creation and processing, visualization, and many more specialized toolboxes 16 . It is reported that Simulink as a modeling method has been widely used in many engineering fields, but its application in WEC modeling is still very limited.…”