Numerical modelling of flow processes in mountain areas
Course Description:
This hands-on course focuses on numerical modelling of (free surface) flow processes in mountain areas using the Iber software, which is a freely available two-dimensional numerical model for simulating free surface flows in rivers (more information https://www.iberaula.es/). Participants will learn to simulate and analyze complex hydrological, hydraulic, and morphodynamic phenomena through practical exercises and real-world case studies. The course covers a broad range of topics, including rainfall-runoff processes, hydrodynamics, and sediment transport, both suspended load and bed load. Advanced modules explore the modelling of wood transport and non-Newtonian flows (such as snow avalanches, debris flows, and mudflows).
Emphasis is placed on understanding physical processes, configuring Iber simulations, interpreting results, and applying model results for hazard assessment and environmental management in mountainous catchments.
Course Details and Registration information
- Speakers:
- Dr. Virginia Ruiz-Villanueva (UNIBE, GIUB and OCCR)
- Dr. Ernest Bladé (Flumen Institute, UPC-CIMNE)
- Dr. Marcos Sanz-Ramos (Flumen Institute, UPC-CIMNE)
- Date: April 28-30, 2026 (3 full days, 9:00-17:00)
- Location: University of Bern, Seminarraum 205, Hallerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern
- Cost:
- WES PhD School members: no fee
- Others (please contact School.Earth-Water@unine.ch for confirmation):
- Academic participants: 100 CHF per day
- Industrial, government, etc.: 250 CHF per day
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Note: Lunch and coffee breaks are included for all participants.
- Registration:
- Please fill in the REGISTRATION FORM before April 14th, 2026
- Participants will be selected based on the information provided during registration to ensure a well-balanced group with appropriate modelling background.
General Program
Day 1: Hydrological and hydraulic modelling
- What is Iber?
- Theory and applications: hydrodynamics
- Case studies
- Theory and applications: hydrological processes
- Hydrological processes. Case studies
- UNIBE & Flumen Institute experiences
Day 2: Morphodynamics and sediment transport
- Theory and applications: sediment transport
- Suspended load. Case studies
- Bedload. Case studies
- UNIBE & Flumen Institute experiences
Day 3: Wood transport and non-Newtonian shallow flows
- Theory and applications: wood transport
- Wood transport. Case studies
- UNIBE experiences
- Theory and applications: non-Newtonian flows
- Non-Newtonian flows. Case studies
- Flumen Institute experiences
How to Get There
From Bern train station, it’s a 5-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can take Bus Line 20 (direction Länggasse) and get off at Universität or Mittelstrasse.