Author(s)

V. E. M. G. Diniz, V. O. C. Pereira, L. P. Bispo & P. A. Souza

Abstract

This paper uses the maximum entropy model to calculate the discharge in open channels. Rivers and an artificial rectangular channel are considered in this paper. The maximum entropy model needs to gauge the flow velocity only in three points to calculate the discharge of any given open channel. The flow velocity needs to be gauged on the river thalweg. A genetic algorithm was used to determine the three parameters of the maximum entropy equation. The discharge calculation results obtained by the maximum entropy model aided by the genetic algorithm were compared to the discharge calculation results obtained by the traditional (using a rotor current meter) and acoustic methods (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler or ADCP). It was concluded that the maximum entropy model is reliable because it yields results very close to the results obtained by the traditional and acoustic methods. It was also concluded that it makes the discharge measurement easier in any given open channel. Keywords: maximum entropy, discharge calculation, genetic algorithm, open channel, flow velocity.

Keywords

Keywords: maximum entropy, discharge calculation, genetic algorithm, open channel, flow velocity.