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Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle (UAV) image velocimetry for validation of two-dimensional hydraulic model simulations
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Non-intrusive image-based techniques for measuring surface river velocities have rapidly evolved as a cost-effective and safe means for quantifying flow patterns. Large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) can provide instantaneous surface velocities over a large spatial footprint rapidly and with little pre-calibration as compared to traditional techniques. Assessment of the spatial distribution of flow velocities in hydraulic models has been comparatively harder to achieve than assessment of depth due to logistical challenges but would be aided using large observational datasets that represent the variability and distribution of flow hydraulics. Additionally, the efficacy of image velocimetry in assessing the accuracy of outputs from 2D hydraulic models has not been addressed. Here, we demonstrate how LSPIV can be used to calibrate and validate 2D model predictions in a gravel bed river reach. LSPIV velocities are depth-averaged using standard velocity coefficients ( α ) and then using the Probability Concept (PC) - a probabilistic formulation of velocity distributions that accounts for non-standard velocity profiles, typical in field settings. UAV surveys were used to acquire video for LSPIV and imagery for Structure from Motion (SfM) topographic modelling. We use spatially dense acoustic doppler current profiler (aDcp) velocity data for benchmark assessment of the velocity outputs of HEC-RAS 2D model simulations. 2D model prediction error, based on seeded LSPIV velocities, was within range (4.2%) of the aDcp parametrised model, with improvements in modelled versus predicted velocity correlations (up to 7.7%) when using PC to depth average LSPIV velocities. Validation bias reduced significantly (11%) with tighter error distributions when compared to the aDcp based model. Although additional hydraulic measurements are required to parametrise the Probability Concept algorithm, the performance of 2D hydraulic models calibrated/validated with LSPIV velocities is on par with traditional techniques, demonstrating the potential of this non-intrusive, low-cost approach.
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“Additionally, hydrodynamic validation was constrained to a single monitoring point over a short temporal window with a chronological offset between the 2023 UAV acquisition and 2025 velocity record (Fig. 3) 41 .”
From AI-driven digital twinning quantifies the trade-off between flood conveyance and riparian stability under climate extremes (2026) · cites this paper as [41]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Shin, J. H., Go, S. H., & Park, J. H. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-63704-8
Metadata
- Authors
- Masafu, C., Williams, R., Shi, X., Yuan, Q., & Trigg, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Glasgow (GB)
- Wuhan University (CN)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Masafu, Christopher
- Shi, Xiaogang
- Venue
- Journal of Hydrology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-09
- Volume
- 612
- Pages
- 128217
- ISSN
- 0022-1694 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4285809653
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 2.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Hydrology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Natural Environment Research Council
- University of Glasgow
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Hydraulic flow and structures
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Keywords
- large-scale particle image velocimetry, model calibration, river surface velocity, gravel-bed rivers, depth-averaged velocity, probability concepts, velocity distribution, HEC-RAS, acoustic Doppler current profiler, non-invasive flow measurement
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