This study investigates the influence of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) accuracy and mesh resolution on flood inundation modeling using a two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic approach. The assessment of mesh independence and DEM sensitivity was carried out by examining key parameters, including computational time, extent of inundated area, maximum water depth, and average flow velocity across the floodplain domain. The findings indicate that enhancing DEM resolution not only improves the spatial accuracy of topographic representation but also contributes to reduced computational time through optimized mesh generation, fewer numerical corrections, and greater numerical stability. Conversely, while a reduction in mesh size leads to more detailed hydraulic results and improved accuracy in representing flow patterns, it simultaneously imposes a substantial increase in computation time. A mesh size of 25 meters was identified as an effective compromise between numerical precision and computational efficiency. Overall, selecting an appropriate combination of DEM resolution and mesh size plays a crucial role in ensuring both the reliability and practicality of flood inundation simulations.
Mozafariniapour, Z. , Yazdi, J. , Aghayari, J. and Behifar, M. H (2025). Evaluation of DEM Accuracy and Mesh Resolution in 2D Hydraulic Flood Modeling. Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering, 1(3), 207-219. doi: 10.48308/ijce.2025.241410.1014
MLA
Mozafariniapour, Z. , , Yazdi, J. , , Aghayari, J. , and Behifar, M. H. "Evaluation of DEM Accuracy and Mesh Resolution in 2D Hydraulic Flood Modeling", Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering, 1, 3, 2025, 207-219. doi: 10.48308/ijce.2025.241410.1014
HARVARD
Mozafariniapour, Z., Yazdi, J., Aghayari, J., Behifar, M. H (2025). 'Evaluation of DEM Accuracy and Mesh Resolution in 2D Hydraulic Flood Modeling', Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering, 1(3), pp. 207-219. doi: 10.48308/ijce.2025.241410.1014
CHICAGO
Z. Mozafariniapour , J. Yazdi , J. Aghayari and M. H Behifar, "Evaluation of DEM Accuracy and Mesh Resolution in 2D Hydraulic Flood Modeling," Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering, 1 3 (2025): 207-219, doi: 10.48308/ijce.2025.241410.1014
VANCOUVER
Mozafariniapour, Z., Yazdi, J., Aghayari, J., Behifar, M. H Evaluation of DEM Accuracy and Mesh Resolution in 2D Hydraulic Flood Modeling. Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering, 2025; 1(3): 207-219. doi: 10.48308/ijce.2025.241410.1014
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