Do You Want Your Pipes Cleaned? The Value of ‘Real World Modelling ’

Based on the author’s experience in forensic flood assessment, hydraulic modelling, stormwater design and real world observations, this paper will discuss the importance and potential value of key decisions when undertaking a model build project.

Using recent project examples, this paper will assess the impacts of simplifying the real world, whether modelling an urban river separate from the Stormwater networks that feed it, excluding network assets like sumps, or not accounting for an asset’s operational condition. This paper will also explore the potential value of whole system modelling.