5. Conclusion

Today's engineers use a wide range of modeling techniques to design new hydraulic structures, diagnose problems or characterize the functioning of watercourses.

While the fundamental principles of modeling have remained the same for decades, techniques and tools are constantly evolving, thanks in particular to the development of new measurement and calculation technologies.

Good modeling is based on a pertinent physical analysis of the problem and on the judicious choice of model(s) and their implementation. Physical and numerical modeling requires specific know-how and solid experience, because even poorly constructed or poorly exploited models are capable of producing results, thus becoming sources of error. Interpretation of results and analysis must therefore always be carried out with a critical eye.

While a...