Using the liquid framework to build an agricultural subsurface tile-drainage model
Utilisation de la plate-forme LIQUID pour la construction d'un modèle de drainage agricole par tuyaux enterrés
Résumé
The LIQUID modelling framework was used to design and implement a field-scale model for subsurface tile-drainage, surface runoff and pollutant transport calculation. Three separate modules were developed to simulate the soil water dynamics in both the saturated (SIDRA) and unsaturated (SIRUP) zones as well as the solute transport into drainage and runoff water (SILASOL). Each module was built using the LIQUID template library. The modules are interconnected within the framework, using a slot-and-signal communication system allowing SIDRA, SIRUP and SILASOL to interact and interplay synchronously. The resulting model was compared with a non-modular version of the same code working with a fixed time step and experimental field data as well. The agreement between the LIQUID-based model results and field observations is more accurate, mainly because climatic forcing dynamics are better taken into account. This shows that the application of the LIQUID concepts can easily lead to an operational tool for decision makers.