Our Hydraulic Engineering Profession

摘要

This 2015 Hunter Rouse Hydraulic Engineering Lecture reflects on the synergy between facts/knowledge and imagination/creativity. Our hydraulic engineering profession deals primarily with hard facts, and the complementarity between theory and practice is emphasized. We nevertheless have to face an increasing number of soft facts introduced by the stochastic variability of field observations linked to turbulence and climate change. A triangular relationship between observations, physics, and mathematics is highlighted to guide future research initiatives. In recent decades, tremendous developments in computer modeling of surface runoff from watersheds have been achieved. Physically based computer models should replace the remaining black boxes of our field. Experimental research should be pursued to continue to gain physical understanding. Answers to questions from the audience lead to a promising outlook for the future challenges in hydraulic engineering. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.