Numerical Simulation: River Modelling
Case Study River Rhine Section: Ruhrort - Mehrum - Wesel

Mike11 Tutorial 1: set-up and analysis of a simple channel model

This page describes the main steps to set-up a first simple model with MIKE11 to gain first experiences.

Set-up of a simple 1st MIKE11 model

Please set up a complete new MIKE 11 model. The new model should contain a straight channel of about 5000 m with a regular rectangle cross section of about 50 m width and 10 m depth.
The boundary condition are given by the discharge q(t)=0 (closed channel) at one side and by the water level h(t) at the other side. Please specify the water level time series by a constant water level h0 plus a peak of h0 + Δh at the second time series to generate a 'wave' in the system.
Please simulate the system with different h0 values such as 2m, 4m, 6m, 8m and compare the results with the theory in respect to the wave speed. Consider a suitable time and space approximation (Δt and Δx).
Please use the standard properties of the MIKE11 hydrodynamic model for all other parameters.

step action remark screenshot
1. start MikeZero on your computer
2. create a new project take the blank template, a new project name and choose a suitable folder on your computer. new project form:
3. create a new simulation file File menu of MikeZero -> choose Mike11 files and then .sim11 suffix new file - suffixes:
4. save the file File menu: save as -> choose your model folder -> choose a name save the file to project folder:
5. create other model files click on Input in your simulation file
create a network file as in 3. with the suffix .nwk11
save the network file as in 4. in your folder
link it to your simulation file (... button)

create a cross section file as in 3. with the suffix .xns11
save the cross section file as in 4. in your folder
link it to your simulation file (... button)

create a boundary data file as in 3. with the suffix .bnd11
save the boundary data file as in 4. in your folder
link it to your simulation file (... button)

create a hydrodynamic data (HD) file as in 3. with the suffix .hd11
save the hydrodynamic data file as in 4. in your folder
link it to your simulation file (... button)
 file links in the .sim11 file:
6. create a river branch click on edit network file
change to "Tabular View" (item under menu View)
open Network and Points
create two points with a distance of 5000
maybe update the workspace area (item under Network)
open graphical view
create a branch by "Define Branch" pencil
change the TopoID and maximum dx value (250m) in the tabular view
don't forget to save your network file 		two points:

workspace area:

graphical editor: branch:

branch form:
7. add cross sections click on edit cross section in the simulation input form
insert two cross sections at your river branch with the TopoID at chainage 0 or 5000
this can be also done with the graphical editor of the network
edit the cross section geometry to a rectangular shape of 50 m and 10 m depth
insert cross section:

cross section editor:
8. add boundary conditions click on edit boundary data in the simulation input form
insert two boundary to your river branch with the TopoID at chainage 0 or 5000
choose at chainage 5000 the boundary type on "Inflow"
and TS Tyoe "Const" with q=0 (s kind of vertical wall)
choose at chainage 0 the boundary type on "Water Level"
create a new time series file (Product Type MikeZERO) with suffix .dsf0
choose blank time series time
change the time step to 1 min
and the number of time steps to 50
Item information: choose a name (H) and as "Type" "water level"
edit the table with the values of the water level - such as 4 m for all
to generate a kind of "wave", change the 2nd value to 6m
save the time series file in your folder
select the time series file and the item H in the boundary file for the water level boundary condition
save the boundary file
two boundaries:

time series file:

time series data:

link to boundary:
9. simulation time window click on "Simulation" in the simulation file form
click on "Apply Default" to update the possible time window for our simulation
change the Time step to 10 or 30 sec
save the simulation file
 simulation period::
10. start the simulation click on "Start" in the simulation file form
hopefully you see no warnings or error
you can start the simulation
otherwise you have to check the messages and edit your model
 model validation:
11. results the post-processing is done by the tool MikeView
start MikeView from the Program Menu
(Mike by DHI -> MIKE View -> MIKEView)
open the result file default: change the suffix selection to *.res11
the default name for the results is HD.res11
for the next form - just agree by okay
you will get a graphical view of your branch
click in the Menu on Plot -> Longitudal Profile (or the same small icon)
click on your branch (green selection colour) and close the selection by another mouse #click
you will see the profile with the results
use the animation buttons
 file selection:

data selection:

branch selection:

profile result view:
12. check of results you can check your results by basics from hydraulics
the speed of a wave is sqrt(g*h)
the time to run 5000 m is 5000 / sqrt(g*h)
for 4 m this is 5000 / sqrt(9.81*4) = 798 sec = 13,3 min

Variation of Model Parameter

Please adapdt your model with a variation of parameters.

Please analyse the different models in respect to the physical equations.

Additional Information

Mike11 File Structure

file type

suffix

simulation file

*.sim11

network file

*.nwk11

crossection file

*.xns11

boundary file

*.bnd11

hydrodynamics parameter file

*.hd11

time series file

*.dfs0

simulation result file (MikeView)

*.res11