The influence of post-spacing density of DEMs derived from LIDAR on flood modeling

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dc.contributor.advisorMaidment, David R.
dc.creatorGueudet, Pierre
dc.date.accessioned2019-09-18T22:34:21Z
dc.date.available2019-09-18T22:34:21Z
dc.date.issued2004-05-22
dc.description.abstractThe primary objective of the research is to determine the optimal post-spacing for LIDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) that is required to achieve different levels of accuracy in the prediction of flood risk using hydraulic models. For the study, high spatial resolution LIDAR data were collected by the University of Texas Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping System and decimated to generate a variety of DEMs with different resolutions for test and evaluation. The data were entered as input to FEMA-approved hydraulic models at varying resolutions to determine the sensitivity of the models to the changes in the densities of the LIDAR ground elevation points. Data were collected in Brownsville, Texas, in the area of the North Main Drain. A flood model was developed using HEC-RAS to delineate the 2-year, 5-year and 25-year floodplains of this drain. For each of the floodplains, 70 simulations were run using different densities of LIDAR-derived ground elevation points. These varying datasets density were also used to delineate watersheds. The work flow sequence needed to produce the flood maps was automated using the ESRI ArcGIS 9 Model Builder. Concerning floodplain delineation, results reveal that below a certain density (5 ground points per 100m² which corresponds to a 4.34 meter post-spacing), the LIDAR data become problematical for use in the creation of accurate flood hazard maps. At lower ground point densities, flow obstructions appear on the 3D cross-sections derived from LIDAR, and the inundation polygons expand to unrealistic proportions. With densities greater than 5 ground points per 100m², the influence of increasing LIDAR point density is weak, and the accuracy of the floodplain resulting from a simulation depends upon the initial conditions of the model run. Concerning watershed delineation, no trend was observed as the density of LIDAR points decreases. This result could be explained by the fact that the area of study is extremely flat.en_US
dc.description.departmentCivil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineeringen_US
dc.format.mediumelectronicen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/75905
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26153/tsw/3005
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.relation.ispartofUT Electronic Theses and Dissertationsen_US
dc.rightsCopyright © is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en_US
dc.rights.restrictionRestricteden_US
dc.subjectDigital mappingen_US
dc.subjectTexas floodplainsen_US
dc.subjectHydraulic modelsen_US
dc.titleThe influence of post-spacing density of DEMs derived from LIDAR on flood modelingen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.genreThesisen_US
thesis.degree.departmentCivil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineCivil Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Texas at Austinen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science in Engineering.en_US

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