Integrating Drone-Captured Sub-Catchment Topography with Multiphase CFD Modelling to Enhance Urban Stormwater Management

In this study, a drone-captured spatial data point cloud is used as input for creating a high-resolution modelling domain that accurately represents urban stormwater sub-catchments’ topography. The objective is to map possibilities, showcase the potential, and establish an in-house workflow that is as efficient as possible for the high-resolution modelling of stormwater runoff in urban sub-catchments, to provide input for improving urban stormwater management. The computational fluid dynamics model simulation results are compared to geographic information system-based analysis data and field observations, illustrating the benefits and limitations of the approach.