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Glossary

Term Meaning
Boundary condition A prescribed value that forces the model, such as inflow or water depth at a node.
Conduit A hydraulic connection between two nodes. In OpenPNM this is a throat.
Courant number Stability-related control for time-step selection.
Flow rate Volumetric discharge through a conduit, usually in m^3/s.
Hydraulic head Elevation plus water depth.
Inflow node Node where water enters the model through a prescribed boundary.
Manning coefficient Roughness coefficient often used for open-channel flow.
Node A point in the network. In OpenPNM this is a pore.
Observation point A node where selected time series are recorded during simulation.
Observation recorder A configured group of observation points, variables, and recording interval. A simulation can use multiple recorders.
Outlet node Node where a water-depth or other outlet condition is prescribed.
Picard iteration Iterative nonlinear solve used within a time step.
Pore OpenPNM term for a network node.
Stationary simulation Simulation that advances until a steady hydraulic state is reached rather than stopping at a prescribed final time.
Throat OpenPNM term for a connection between two pores; openKARST treats this as a conduit.
Transient simulation Simulation that evolves through time until t_max.
Water depth Depth of water at a node, measured from the local conduit or channel base.