Evaluation of numerical models of flood and tide propagation in channels

An analysis of the predictive capabilities of cross-section-integrated mode ls of gradually varied, unsteady flow in channels initially highlights the physical characteristics of the conservation equations, with particular emp hasis on those aspects that are operationally crucial or potentially challe nged in numerical implementation. A sequence of benchmark test problems are introduced with the express purpose of evaluating all potentially importan t features of expected response patterns. This sequence of problems is desi gned to exercise the physically and numerically significant response patter ns that are expected to be within the predictive capability of numerical mo dels of flood and tide propagation in channels. An extensive and independen t review of this nature should be a routine and automatic part of any numer ical model study.