GMS:HydroGeoSphere

HydroGeoSphere (HGS) is a three-dimensional control-volume finite element simulator created by Aquanty. HGS can be used to model the entire terrestrial portion of the hydrologic cycle. It uses a globally-implicit approach to simultaneously solve the 2D diffusive-wave equation for overland/surface water flow and the 3D form of Richards’ equation for variably saturated groundwater flow.

Graphical Interface

The GMS interface for HydroGeoSphere contains multiple components. These components include:

• An unstructured grid (UGrid)
• HGS coverages
• HGS simulation, including the Simulation Control

Working with Simulations

A simulation can be created by right-clicking on a blank portion of the Project Explorer and choosing the New Simulation submenu. The New Simulation menu will have commands to create a new model simulation. Selecting a model will cause a simulation folder for the chosen model to appear in the Project Explorer.

After a simulation has been created, components may be added to the simulation. Components are often created as map coverages, meshes, grids, or scatter sets. The individual map coverages, grids, or scatter sets can be linked to the simulation by clicking on the item in the Project Explorer and dragging it under the simulation item in the Project Explorer. Each simulation in the Project Explorer will show a list of all linked components . This allows multiple simulations to make use of the same datasets.

Components can also be added to a simulation using the right-click Apply To submenus.

Once a simulation exists, future simulations are often similar to one already created. Often it is easier to make a copy of the simulation and make changes where appropriate. A simulation can be copied by right-clicking on the simulation and choosing Duplicate. All simulations for a model will be listed under the simulation for that model. Under the simulation data item all simulations for all models will be listed—SMS supports using more than one model for a project.

Note: When naming simulations, apostrophes are not allowed in the simulation name. Using an apostrophe in any simulation name may cause an error.

The right-click menu for a simulation includes menu commands specific to each model.

Simulation Right-Click Menu Commands

Right-clicking on any simulation object in the Project Explorer will bring up a menu for that simulation. Some of the commands are specific for the simulation model type. The simulation right-click menu has the following commands that are used by all simulations.

• Rename – Allows changing the simulation name.
• Duplicate – Creates a copy of the selected simulation. All components linked to selected simulation will be linked to the duplicate simulation. Adding, or removing the components in the duplicate simulation will not change the original simulation.
• Delete – Removes the selected simulation. This command does not delete or modify components linked to the simulation.
• Properties – Brings up a Properties dialog that shows which model the simulation is using and what components have been applied.

Right-clicking on the simulation folder always includes the following commands:

• New Simulation – This command will create a new simulation of the same model type as the simulation folder.
• Simulation Run Queue – Opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog.

Additional commands appear in the simulation right-click menu depend on the settings in the Simulation Menu Preferences dialog as described above. If any of the Multiple simulation commands are invoked, a dialog appears listing the simulations in this folder with toggle box next to each as shown. The user may then select which simulations should be included in this command.

The Simulations dialog for multiple simulations

These optional commands should be self explanatory based on their name. In general, their function can be described as:

• A command that says Save Simulation generates the files for the numeric model simulation run, but does not save the project files.
• A command that says Save Project saves the project such as mesh and map data, but doesn't generate the files needed for the simulation run. This command is typically used with the Save Simulation command.
• A command that says Run Simulation runs the simulation. It is necessary to save the simulation files as part of or before using a run command.

All of the above applies equally to multiple simulations commands and single simulations commands.

Modeling Notes

• GMS allows multiple HGS simulations to exist in a single GMS project.

External Links

• HydroGeoSphere website
• HydroGeoSphere Theory
• HydroGeoSphere Reference Manual