Incorporating Effect of Roughness Uncertainties into Design of Ice-Covered Channels

Abstract

AbstractStudies have shown that the roughness coefficient of the ice cover changes over time and space. Such a variation can substantially affect the design of channel dimensions to handle the design discharge. This paper presents an optimization model that incorporates the uncertainties of the roughness coefficients of both ice cover and channel bed. The model determines the best hydraulic section by minimizing the cross-section area subject to the design discharge. The nonlinear discharge equation is linearized using a Taylor series expansion. The linearity and normality assumptions of the discharge constraint are verified, and the results show that the assumptions are very accurate. The proposed chance-constrained model represents a novel step toward incorporating uncertainty in ice-covered channel design.