Numerical–experimental interaction in hydrodynamics: an integrated approach for the optimal management of hydraulic structures and hydrographic basins

The present paper presents studies and tools devoted to the reduction of uncertainties in the scientific knowledge of various unsteady flows, including solid transport effects, in the perspective of applications such as restoration, rehabilitation and enhancement of riverbeds, rivers and waterways. This global approach will be tested and fitted in a dynamic and integrated experimental model of reference flows in the laboratory. The relevance of using of physical experimental scale models will be highlighted for the identification of constitutive laws used in numerical modelling. Practical applications prove that the integration of powerful hydrodynamic software for water management is realistic and will lead to compute transient flooding, sedimentation and erosion events in natural compound channels, as well as to design and simulate the behaviour of hydraulic regulation works or locks. It will also help in working out new projects or reconstructions of hydraulic infrastructures, as well as ecological rehabilitations. Even if the sole quantitative plan will be taken into account, this optimisation project will also lead to highlight favourable solutions, from a qualitative point of view.