A hybrid reasoning system for supporting the modelling of estuaries

Estuaries are complex natural water systems. Their behaviour depends on many factors, which are possible to analyse only adopting different study approaches. The physical processes within estuaries are generally investigated through computer modelling. However, models are not easily accessible. Their employment is only possible within restricted conditions and assumptions. Furthermore, in depth knowledge is required to interpret the information related to different disciplines and sources for the selection of a correct modelling approach. Therefore, the usability of computational estuarine models appears lower than their actual capability. This thesis describes the application of case-based reasoning methodology to support the design of estuarine models. The system (CBEM—Case-Based reasoning for Estuarine Modelling) aims to provide a general user with the necessary guidance for selecting the model that better matches to his/her goal and the nature of the problem to be solved. The system is based on the co-operative action of three modules: a case-based reasoning scheme and a genetic algorithm and a library of numerical estuarine models. [Continues.]