Definition of core model parameters

The attributive data along the profile describe the type of underground. There are aspects such as the damping behaviour, which depends on the depth of the soil or the cover of loose material as well as the type of use of the underground, or the aspect of roughness, which is mainly defined by obstacles such as those found in block scree piles or torrents.

These attributive data are collected by means of site inspections or aerial photographs. For rough overview modelling, information that can be read directly from the map bases is usually sufficient.

During the terrain inspection, uniformly designed terrain sections are separated and documented (notes, photos). A homogeneous terrain section has the following constant characteristics: Underground structure, surface roughness, vegetation cover and average slope inclination.

Any number of homogeneous terrain sections are defined on the terrain profile. The three actual model parameters for these terrain sections are determined in RODMOD:

1.the damping of the subsurface

2.the roughness of the terrain surface

3.the forest parameterization

The influence of the three model parameters on the modelling results is shown below.