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A study of cell models: 1. A manifold cell model for distributed surface runoff systems
Author(s) -
Pegram G. G. S.,
Diskin M. H.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr023i004p00646
Subject(s) - cascade , discretization , impulse response , manifold (fluid mechanics) , hydrograph , mathematics , distributed element model , mathematical analysis , mathematical optimization , topology (electrical circuits) , surface runoff , physics , engineering , ecology , combinatorics , mechanical engineering , biology , quantum mechanics , chemical engineering
As a means of examining the behavior of distributed linear models of catchments (and in particular the cell model) a series of investigations were carried out on the modeling of a long, narrow, rectangular hypothetical catchment. Impulse response functions of three models were studied: the conventional cascade; a modified cascade which can be modeled in series or in parallel; and a new model called the manifold cell model which is characterized by its exclusively parallel nature. The response function of the cascade model converges to a rectangular pulse, and that of the modified cascade model converges to a modified pulse. The impulse response function for the manifold cell model converges to a family of shapes that “look like” hydrographs, i.e., that are intuitively acceptable. The manifold cell model approaches its asymptotic response with a modest number of cell divisions of the same order as the typical discretization along the longest watercourse of a natural watershed.