Delft3D-FM

Criterion

Explanation

General Description

Delft3D Flexible Mesh (FM) allows the modeler to simulate the interaction of water, sediment, ecology, and water quality in time and space.  Delft3D-FM is the successor model to the structured Delft3D model. The suite is mostly used for the modeling of natural environments like coastal, estuarine, lakes and river areas, but it is equally suitable for more artificial environments like harbours, locks, and urban areas. Delft3D FM consists of several validated modules, which are linked to and integrated with each other.  The model website is at:  https://www.deltares.nl/en/software/delft3d-flexible-mesh-suite/

Model Domain

The model domain is flexible and can be specified by the user, and can include coastal, estuarine, lakes and river areas.

Developer

Developed by Deltares, based in the Netherlands

Hardware computing requirements

Delft3D FM is supported on both Microsoft Windows and Linux.
The advised requirements: (Minimal, Preferred)
Processor: 1 GHz, 2 GHz
Memory: 1 GB, 4 GB
Disk space: 1 GB

Code language

FORTRAN (technical code), C++ (GUI)

Original application

The original focus and application of the model was to the marine environment of the Netherlands.

Public/proprietary and cost

Deltares offers service packages (including the full model download) at varying costs. The model is available as open source code.  

Physically or empirically based

Physically based

Mathematical methods used

Combined curvilinear and unstructured grid discretization approach along with finite volume numerical schemes to compute estuarine flows, salinity, and temperature dynamics

Input data requirements

Input data for the Delta is well-parameterized and readily available from public sources. Input data includes:

• Domain (grid parameters, bathymetry)
• Initial conditions (water level, salinity, water temperature, pollutant and sediment concentrations)
• Boundary conditions (inflows, outflows, water level, salinity, water temperature, pollutant and sediment concentrations)
• Physical parameters (describing constants, viscosity, heat flux, sediment, tidal forces)
• Environmental parameters (precipitation, evaporation, wind speed and direction)

Outputs

Water level, flow volume and direction, salinity, water temperature, water quality (pollutant, sediment) concentrations; Model output is written to binary files for use by the model GUI, however observation points can be specified for ASCII time series files to be written for post-processing.

Pre-processing and post-processing tools

The technical code is built in to a comprehensive Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Representation of uncertainty

Uncertainty is not represented.

Prevalence

The model has been applied to marine environments in the Netherlands, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and Venice.

Ease of use for public entities

Model training is available. Computational requirements can be large; parallel computing was used for Delta model.

Ease of obtaining information and availability of technical support

User meetings, online forum, training courses. Deltares offers service packages at varying costs.

Source code availability

The model is freely available as open source code.  

Status of model development

The model has an active user and developer community. 

Challenges in integration