Delft3D TIDE User Manual TIDE_User_Manual

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3D/2D modelling suite for integral water solutions

DR
AF

T

Delft3D

TIDE

User Manual

DR
AF
T

T

DR
AF

Delft3D-TIDE

Analysis and prediction of tides

User Manual

Hydro-Morphodynamics

Version: 5.00
SVN Revision: 52614
April 18, 2018

DR
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Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

Published and printed by:
Deltares
Boussinesqweg 1
2629 HV Delft
P.O. 177
2600 MH Delft
The Netherlands

For sales contact:
telephone: +31 88 335 81 88
fax:
+31 88 335 81 11
e-mail:
software@deltares.nl
www:
https://www.deltares.nl/software

telephone:
fax:
e-mail:
www:

+31 88 335 82 73
+31 88 335 85 82
info@deltares.nl
https://www.deltares.nl

For support contact:
telephone: +31 88 335 81 00
fax:
+31 88 335 81 11
e-mail:
software.support@deltares.nl
www:
https://www.deltares.nl/software

Copyright © 2018 Deltares
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form by print, photo
print, photo copy, microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the publisher:
Deltares.

Contents

Contents
List of Figures

vii

1 Guide to this manual
1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Manual version . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Typographical conventions . . . . . . . .
1.4 Changes with respect to previous versions

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2 Introduction to Delft3D-TIDE
2.1 Global description of the sub-systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 How to install the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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3 Getting started
3.1 Delft3D-TIDE as Delft3D module . . . . . .
3.2 Getting into Delft3D-FLOW and Delft3D-TIDE
3.3 Exiting Delft3D-TIDE . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Exiting Delft3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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5 General operation of the Delft3D-TIDE subsystems
5.1 ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.1 Running the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.2 Input files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.2.1 Input data file (<∗.ina>) . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.2.2 File containing the observations (<∗.obs>)
5.1.3 Output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.3.1 Print file (<∗.pra>) . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.3.2 Component file (<∗.cmp>) . . . . . . . .
5.1.3.3 Hindcast file (<∗.hdc>) . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.3.4 Residue file (<∗.res>) . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.3.5 Graphics data file (<∗.tka>) . . . . . . . .
5.1.4 Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2 PREDICT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.1 Running the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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4 Menu options
4.1 File menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1.1 Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1.2 Quit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 Subsystem menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.1 Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.2 Prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.2.1 Prediction GUI . . . . . . .
4.2.2.2 Prediction Calculation . . .
4.2.3 High/Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.3.1 High/Low GUI . . . . . . .
4.2.3.2 High/Low Calculation . . . .
4.2.4 Ascon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.5 Fourier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.5.1 Standard Fourier Transform
4.2.5.2 Fast Fourier Transform . . .
4.3 Help menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.1 User Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.2 About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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iii

Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

5.4

5.5

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5.3

Input files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.3.1 Print file (<∗.prp>) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.3.2 Predict file (<∗.prd>) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.3.3 TEKAL file (<∗.tkp>) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.4 Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HILOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.1 Running the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.1.1 Automatic input processing . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.1.2 HILOW from available input file . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.2 Input files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.2.1 Time-series files <∗.obs>, <∗.prd> or <∗.hdc>
5.3.2.2 Input data file (<∗.inh>) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.3 Output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.3.1 Print file (<∗.prh>) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.3.2 Tide table file (<∗.hlw>) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3.4 Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ASCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4.1 Running the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4.2 Input files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4.3 Output file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4.4 Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOURIER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5.1 Standard Fourier Transform (SFT) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5.2 Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5.3 Running the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5.4 Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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5.2.3

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6 Graphics

7 Tutorial
7.1 ANALYSIS . . . .
7.1.1 Example 1
7.1.2 Example 2
7.1.3 Example 3
7.1.4 Example 4
7.2 PREDICT . . . . .
7.2.1 Example 1
7.2.2 Example 2
7.3 HILOW . . . . . .
7.3.1 Example 1
7.3.2 Example 2
7.3.3 Example 3
7.4 ASCON . . . . . .
7.4.1 Example 1
7.4.2 Example 2
7.5 FOURIER . . . . .
7.5.1 Example 1
7.5.2 Example 2
7.5.3 Example 3

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8 Conceptual description
49
8.1 Mathematical representation of the tide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.2 Tidal current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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8.4

8.5
8.6

Tidal analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3.1 Mathematical model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3.2 Nyquist condition (measurement interval) . . . . . . .
8.3.3 Rayleigh criterion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3.4 Astronomical coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3.5 Least squares solution technique . . . . . . . . . . .
Special features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4.1 Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4.2 Astronomically coupled constituents . . . . . . . . .
8.4.3 Registration gaps or unreliable data parts (sub-series)
8.4.4 Multiple instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4.5 Accuracy analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tidal prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tide tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References

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DR
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A Input file formats
A.1 ANALYSIS
A.2 PREDICT
A.3 HILOW . .
A.4 ASCON . .
A.5 FOURIER .

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B List of tidal components (internal component base)
C Filename conventions
C.1 ANALYSIS . . .
C.2 PREDICT-GUI .
C.3 PREDICT . . . .
C.4 HILOW-GUI . . .
C.5 HILOW . . . . .
C.6 ASCON . . . . .
C.7 FOURIER . . . .

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D Messages from Delft3D-TIDE
D.1 ANALYSIS . . . . . . .
D.1.1 Error messages
D.1.2 Warnings . . . .
D.2 PREDICT . . . . . . . .
D.3 HILOW . . . . . . . . .
D.3.1 Error messages
D.3.2 Info messages .
D.4 ASCON . . . . . . . . .
D.5 FOURIER . . . . . . . .

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E Content of the TIDE tutorial cases
E.1 ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . .
E.2 PREDICT . . . . . . . . . . .
E.3 HILOW . . . . . . . . . . . .
E.4 ASCON . . . . . . . . . . . .
E.5 FOURIER . . . . . . . . . . .

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Deltares

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List of Figures

List of Figures
Splash window of Delft3D . . . . . . . . . .
Main window Delft3D-MENU . . . . . . . .
Selection window for Hydrodynamics . . . .
Select working directory window . . . . .
Select specific working directory . . . . . .
Current working directory . . . . . . . . . .
Additional tools for the Delft3D-FLOW module
Main window of Delft3D-TIDE . . . . . . .
Menu toolbar, option File → Quit . . . . . .

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. 7
. 8
. 8
. 9
. 9
. 9
. 10
. 11
. 11

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15

Delft3D-TIDE menu options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
File menu options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subsystem menu options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIDE - Analysis subsystem window . . . . . . . . . .
Subsystem Predict menu options . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIDE - Prediction GUI subsystem window . . . . . . .
TIDE - Prediction subsystem window . . . . . . . . . .
Subsystem High/Low menu options . . . . . . . . . . .
TIDE - High/Low water GUI subsystem window . . . .
TIDE - High/Low water subsystem window . . . . . . .
TIDE - Ascon subsystem window . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subsystem Fourier menu options . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIDE - Standard Fourier Transform subsystem window
TIDE - Fast Fourier Transform subsystem window . . .
Subsystem menu options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13

Menu option Subsystem → Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of input and output files for sub-system Analysis
Progress Monitor window for sub-system ANALYSIS . . .
Menu option Subsystem → Predict → GUI . . . . . . .
Overview of input and output files for sub-system PREDICT
Progress Monitor window for sub-system PREDICT . . . .
Menu option Subsystem → High/Low → GUI . . . . . .
Overview of input and output files for sub-system HILOW .
Progress Monitor window for sub-system HILOW . . . . .
Subsytem→ Ascon selected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of input and output files for subsystem ASCON .
Progress Monitor window for sub-system ASCON . . . . .
Menu Subsystem → Fourier → Fourier SFT . . . . . . .

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3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9

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1 Guide to this manual
Introduction
This User Manual concerns the tidal analysis module, Delft3D-TIDE, of the Delft3D software
suite.
The Delft3D-TIDE software package consists of the following sub-systems:
Harmonic analysis of tidal observation registrations.
Prediction of tidal water levels or tidal currents.
Preparation of tide tables.
Computation of tidal frequencies.
Fourier analysis of time-series.

T

ANALYSIS
PREDICT
HILOW
ASCON
FOURIER

To make this manual more accessible we will briefly describe the contents of each chapter
and appendix.
If this is your first time to start working with Delft3D-TIDE we suggest you to read and practice
the getting started of chapter 3 and the tutorial of chapter 7. These chapters explain the user
interface options and guide you through the definition of your first calculation.

DR
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1.1

Chapter 2: Introduction to Delft3D-TIDE, provides specifications of Delft3D-TIDE.
Chapter 3: Getting started, explains the use of the overall menu program, which gives
access to the Delft3D-TIDE module.
Chapter 4: Menu options, provides the description of the different menu options on the main
menu of Delft3D-TIDE.
Chapter 5: General operation of the Delft3D-TIDE subsystems, describes the operation
of the several subsystems of Delft3D-TIDE.
Chapter 6: Graphics, list the post-processing tools from the Delft3D suite which can be used
in relation with Delft3D-TIDE.
Chapter 7: Tutorial, emphasis at giving you some first hands-on experience in using the
several modules of Delft3D-TIDE.
Chapter 8: Conceptual description, describes the theory behind Delft3D-TIDE.
References, provides a list of publications and related material on the Delft3D-TIDE module.
Appendix A: Input file formats, gives a description of the input file formats of the subsystems
ANALYSIS, PREDICT, HILOW and ASCON.
Appendix B: List of tidal components (internal component base), gives a description
of all the tidal components use in Delft3D-TIDE (234); component name, frequency [◦ /h],
amplitude in equilibrium tide and amplitude coupling relations.
Appendix C: Filename conventions, the required file name convention for each subsystem
of Delft3D-TIDE is given.
Appendix D: Messages from Delft3D-TIDE, the error, warning and informative messages

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of Delft3D-TIDE are given in this appendix.
Appendix E: Content of the TIDE tutorial cases, the content of the tutorials for Delft3DTIDE is given in this appendix.
1.2

Manual version
A manual applies to a certain release of the related numerical program. This manual applies
to Delft3D-TIDE version 5.00.
Typographical conventions

T

Throughout this manual, the following conventions in text formats help you to distinguish between different types of text elements.
Example

Description

Module
Project

Title of a window or a sub-window are in given in bold.
Sub-windows are displayed in the Module window and
cannot be moved.
Windows can be moved independently from the Module window, such as the Visualisation Area window.

Save

DR
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1.3

Item from a menu, title of a push button or the name of
a user interface input field.
Upon selecting this item (click or in some cases double
click with the left mouse button on it) a related action
will be executed; in most cases it will result in displaying
some other (sub-)window.
In case of an input field you are supposed to enter input
data of the required format and in the required domain.

<\tutorial\wave\swan-curvi>


Directory names, filenames, and path names are expressed between angle brackets, <>. For the Linux
and UNIX environment a forward slash (/) is used instead of the backward slash (\) for PCs.

“27 08 1999”

Data to be typed by you into the input fields are displayed between double quotes.
Selections of menu items, option boxes etc. are described as such: for instance ‘select Save and go to
the next window’.

delft3d-menu

Commands to be typed by you are given in the font
Courier New, 10 points.
In this User manual, user actions are indicated with this
arrow.

[m s−1 ] [−]

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Units are given between square brackets when used
next to the formulae. Leaving them out might result in
misinterpretation.

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Guide to this manual

Changes with respect to previous versions
Version

Description

1.0

5 header lines were expected in all input files, without any restriction to the first
character of each header line.

2.01

a ’+’ is inserted as first character in each header line.

5.00

New overall GUI to support spaces in directories and filenames.
Memory of PREDICT increased to 550 000, a prediction of one year with a time
interval of one minue is now possible (550 000 > 531 360 = 369 × 24 × 60).
Maximum memory allocation for dynamic storage increased to 550 000.

T

Number of time-series for Standard Fourier Transform and Fast Fourier transform is increased to 550 000 to support the synodic period of 369.0 days.

DR
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2 Introduction to Delft3D-TIDE
In most continental shelf seas, coastal seas and estuarine areas the astronomical tide is the
main driving force of the water motion. At times equally important is the motion induced by
meteorological phenomena like wind and storms. Consequently, for almost all activities along
the coast and offshore, a sound knowledge and understanding of the behaviour of water level
and current is required. Tidal analysis and tidal prediction are of great help in this.
Local water level or current registrations of at least one month can be analysed to separate the
astronomical part from the meteorologically induced part of the observation. The so obtained
tidal constants fully determine the local tide, and can be used to predict the astronomical water
level or current, respectively, for any period in the past or future.

T

Deltares program system Delft3D-TIDE has been especially designed to perform tidal analysis and tidal prediction for various complicated situations. It has been used extensively in
numerous studies at more than 400 locations world-wide.
The following sections give an extensive description of the various sub-systems.
ANALYSIS
PREDICT
HILOW
ASCON
FOURIER

Chapter 6,

Graphics

Tidal analysis of observed series.
Tidal prediction.
Preparation of tide tables.
Calculation of astronomical factors.
Fourier analysis of time-series (standard and fast Fourier transform).
Graphical presentation of time-series or spectral series using
Delft3D-QUICKPLOT and GPP.

DR
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Section 5.1,
Section 5.2,
Section 5.3,
Section 5.4,
Section 5.5,

It includes a general introduction on how to run the system, a step by step description of
the input file(s), how to interpret the output files and remedies, a list of error messages and
warnings including explanations is given in Appendix D.
2.1

Global description of the sub-systems
Analysis Harmonic analysis of tidal observation registrations. Options: astronomical coupling, multiple instruments, sub-series to account for data gaps, linear trend,
accuracy analysis.
Predict
Prediction of tidal water levels or tidal currents for given periods on the basis of
a set of tidal constants.
Hilow
Preparation of tide tables (tables with times and heights of high and low water)
for the period of the supplied time-series. The latter may be an observation, a
hindcast or a prediction.
Ascon
Computation of tidal frequencies, astronomical arguments and nodal factors for
any tidal component and any date time group.
Fourier
Fourier analysis of time-series.
For plotting relevant output files (time-series as well as spectral series) we refer to the graphical programs GPP (GPP UM, 2013) and Delft3D-QUICKPLOT (QUICKPLOT UM, 2013).

2.2

How to install the software
See Delft3D Installation Manual (Delft3D IM, 2013).

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3 Getting started
3.1

Delft3D-TIDE as Delft3D module
To start Delft3D:

 On an MS Windows platform:
Select Delft3D in the Applications menu or click on the Delft3D icon on the desktop.

 On Linux:
Type delft3d-menu on the command line.

DR
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Next the title window of Delft3D is displayed, Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1: Splash window of Delft3D

After a short while the main window of the Delft3D-MENU appears, Figure 3.2.

 Whether or not you may have support on Delft3D modules, depends on the support contract you have.

For now, only concentrate on exiting Delft3D-MENU, hence:
Press the Exit button.

The window will be closed and you are back in the Windows Desk Top screen for PCs or on
the command line for Linux.
Remark:
 In this and the following chapters several windows are shown to illustrate the presentation of Delft3D-MENU and Delft3D-TIDE. These windows are grabbed from the PCplatform. For Linux workstations the content of the windows is the same, but the colours
may be different.
3.2

Getting into Delft3D-FLOW and Delft3D-TIDE
To continue restart the Delft3D-MENU program as indicated above.
Click on button Flow.

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Figure 3.2: Main window Delft3D-MENU

Next the selection window for Hydrodynamics (including morphology) is displayed for
preparing a flow or flow/wave input, to execute a computation in foreground or in batch, to
inspect the report files with information on the execution and to visualise the results: Figure 3.2. Delft3D-TIDE is part of the additional tools.

Figure 3.3: Selection window for Hydrodynamics

Before continuing with any of the selections of this Hydrodynamics (including morphology)
window, you must select the directory in which you are going to prepare scenarios and execute
computations:
Click the Select working directory button.
Next the Select working directory window, Figure 3.4, is displayed (your current directory
may differ, depending on the location of your Delft3D installation).

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Getting started

DR
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Figure 3.4: Select working directory window

Figure 3.5: Select working directory window to set the working directory to


Browse to the  sub-directory.
Enter the  directory, and next the  directory.
Enter the  sub-directory and close the Select working directory window
by clicking OK, see Figure 3.5.
Next the Hydrodynamics (including morphology) window is re-displayed, but now the
changed current working directory is displayed in the title bar, see Figure 3.6.
Remark:
 In case you want to start a new project for which no directory exists yet, you can select
in the Select working directory window to create a new directory.

Figure 3.6: Current working directory

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Figure 3.7: Additional tools for the Delft3D-FLOW module

In this guided tour through Delft3D-TIDE we limit ourselves to the point where you start
Delft3D-TIDE. Hence:
Select Tools in the Hydrodynamics (including morphology) window.
The Additional Tools window is displayed, see Figure 3.7.

The additional tools for Delft3D-FLOW are verifying the input file, nesting (Delft3D-NESTHD
1 and Delft3D-NESTHD 2), tidal analysis of Delft3D-FLOW time-series (Delft3D-TRIANA),
tidal analysis and prediction of tides (Delft3D-TIDE), data selection from NEFIS file, linear
integration and volume integration, see Figure 3.7.
To start Delft3D-TIDE:
Select TIDE.

Next the opening window of Delft3D-TIDE is shown, see Figure 3.8.

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Getting started

Figure 3.8: Main window of Delft3D-TIDE

3.3

Exiting Delft3D-TIDE

Before running Delft3D-TIDE you have to prepare the input files, see section 5.1.2, 5.2.2,
5.3.2 and 5.4.2.
Click File → Quit to exit Delft3D-TIDE, see Figure 3.9.

Figure 3.9: Menu toolbar, option File → Quit

You will be back in the Additional tools window of the Delft3D-MENU program, Figure 3.7.
3.4

Exiting Delft3D

To return to the main Hydrodynamics (including morphology) selection window:
Click Return
You will be back in the Hydrodynamics (including morphology) window of the Delft3DMENU program, Figure 3.3.
Ignore all other options:
Click Return to return to the main window of Delft3D-MENU, Figure 3.2.
Click Exit.
The window is closed and the control is returned to the desk top or the command line.

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In this Getting Started session you have learned to access the Delft3D-TIDE module as part
of the Delft3D-FLOW module.

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We encourage users next to read chapter 5 and practice with the tutorial examples given in
chapter 7.

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4 Menu options
The menu bar contains the items File, Subsystem and Help, see Figure 4.1, each item is
discussed in a separate section.

Figure 4.1: Delft3D-TIDE menu options

4.1

File menu

T

On the File menu the options Open and Quit are available see Figure 4.2.

4.1.1

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Figure 4.2: File menu options

Open

Upon selecting File → Open, you can open the input files of a subsystem of Delft3D-TIDE.
The file selection filters are dependent on the chosen subsystem.
4.1.2

Quit

Upon selecting File → Quit the Delft3D-TIDE program will close.
4.2

Subsystem menu

On the Subsystem menu, the subsystems of Delft3D-TIDE can be selected, see Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3: Subsystem menu options

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4.2.1

Analysis

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When selecting Subsystem → Analysis the program to analyse time-series is selected, but
first (if needed) the file open window will appear to select the appropriated input files. To start
the time series analysis, press the button Start Analysis, see Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4: TIDE - Analysis subsystem window

4.2.2

Prediction

The subsystem Prediction, to compute the astronomic predictions, consist of two systems,
1 a Graphical User Interface, and
2 a computational core to perform the calculation,
see Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5: Subsystem Predict menu options

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4.2.2.1

Prediction GUI

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When selecting Subsystem → Predict → GUI the user interface program to calculate the
predictions is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to select the appropriated input files. To start the prediction user interface, press the button Start Predict GUI,
see Figure 4.6.

Figure 4.6: TIDE - Prediction GUI subsystem window

4.2.2.2

Prediction Calculation

When selecting Subsystem → Predict → Calculation the program to calculate the predictions is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to select the appropriated
input files. To start the calculation of the predictions, press the button Start Prediction, see
Figure 4.7.

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Figure 4.7: TIDE - Prediction subsystem window

4.2.3

High/Low

The subsystem High/Low, to compute the high and low water time tables consist of two systems,
1 a Graphical User Interface, and
2 a computational core to perform the calculation,
see Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.8: Subsystem High/Low menu options

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4.2.3.1

High/Low GUI

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When selecting Subsystem → High/Low → GUI the user interface program to calculate the
high and low water level tables is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to
select the appropriated input files. To start the user interface, press the button Start High/Low
GUI, see Figure 4.9.

Figure 4.9: TIDE - High/Low water GUI subsystem window

4.2.3.2

High/Low Calculation

When selecting Subsystem → High/Low → Calculation the program to calculate the high and
low water level tables is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to select
the appropriated input files. To start the calculation of the tide tables, press the button Start
High/Low, see Figure 4.10.

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Figure 4.10: TIDE - High/Low water subsystem window

4.2.4

Ascon

When selecting Subsystem → Ascon the program to analyse time-series is selected, but first
(if needed) the file open window appear to select the appropriated input files. To start the
calculation of the astronomic constants, press the button Start Ascon, see Figure 4.11.

Figure 4.11: TIDE - Ascon subsystem window

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4.2.5

Fourier

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Two Fourier methods are available to analyse series, you can choose between a Standard
Fourier Transform (SFT) or a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method, see Figure 4.12.

Figure 4.12: Subsystem Fourier menu options

Standard Fourier Transform

When selecting Subsystem → Fourier → Fourier SFT the program for Standard Fourier
Transform is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to select the appropriated input files. To start the standard fourier transform, press the button Start SFT, see
Figure 4.13.

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4.2.5.1

Figure 4.13: TIDE - Standard Fourier Transform subsystem window

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4.2.5.2

Fast Fourier Transform

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When selecting Subsystem → Fourier → Fourier FFT the program for Fast Fourier Transform
is selected, but first (if needed) the file open window appear to select the appropriated input
files. To start the fast fourier transform, press the button Start FFT, see Figure 4.14.

Figure 4.14: TIDE - Fast Fourier Transform subsystem window

4.3

Help menu

On the Help menu, you can choose to read the user manual or list the version number of
Delft3D-TIDE, see Figure 4.15.

Figure 4.15: Subsystem menu options

4.3.1

User Manual

When clicking on the Help → User Manual, the user manual of Delft3D-TIDE will be displayed.
4.3.2

About
When clicking on the Help → About, a window will display the current version number of
Delft3D-TIDE.

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5.1

ANALYSIS
A rather extensive theoretical background of tidal analysis is given in section 8.3. Special
features are discussed in section 8.4. It is advised to refresh your knowledge — if needed —
by reading these sections.
Running the system
Start Delft3D-TIDE, see Chapter 3,

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ANALYSIS operates in a file oriented way. That means that you have to prepare your input files
before you can start the system successfully. From the data on the input files the computational process starts, resulting in a number of output files. The print file with a complete report
of the computation provides you with an impression of the results. For file name conventions,
see Appendix C.
ANALYSIS needs input data from two files, the input data file (with the required extension
) and the file with observations (with the required extension ), the file descriptions are given in section A.1. Here we expect both input files to be ready for use.

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5.1.1

Select Subsystem → Analysis, see Figure 5.1.

Figure 5.1: Menu option Subsystem → Analysis.

If the input files are not yet selected the open file dialog is opened, with the appropriate file
filters for the input and observation data, otherwise select the menu option File → Open. The
actual sub-system is shown in the window title, see Figure 5.2.

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Figure 5.2: Overview of input and output files for sub-system Analysis

Below follows a summary of the ANALYSIS output files:
Print file
Component file




Hindcast file
Residue file
TEKAL file





output print file
output file with specific information about tidal
components
output file with hindcast time-series
output file with residual time-series
output file for graphical presentations

where name is the filename of the input file <∗.ina>.

Note: Be aware that the input files must satisfy the default extensions as defined for Analysis
input files. When this is not the case, please rename the files.
At any time the filenames of the selected input files and the names of the output files are
shown, as derived from the name of the input file <∗.ina>. See section 5.1.3 and Figure 5.2.
Press the button Start Analysis.

After starting the sub-system the progress will be displayed by the Progress Monitor, see
Figure 5.3. At the end of the run a report of the number of warnings and/or fatal errors is
shown. For an explanation of these warnings/errors, please browse your print file.

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5.1.2

Input files

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Figure 5.3: Progress Monitor window for sub-system ANALYSIS

ANALYSIS needs input data from two files, the input data file and the file with observations.

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As a result of a ANALYSIS computation the processed output files will contain the major
characteristics of the performed tidal analysis as well as the tidal station and tidal series itself.
The header lines are directly followed by the data. As the data are read free-formatted there
are no conditions with respect to the lay out of the data part of the file. The number of
observations per line (a line is a record) is free.
5.1.2.1

Input data file (<∗.ina>)

The input file format is described in section A.1 It is noted that this input data file is also used
to prepare a PREDICT input file by using the GUI of the prediction sub-system.
Remark:
 The input file <∗.ina> must have at east one line with the ’+’-sign.
5.1.2.2

File containing the observations (<∗.obs>)

The <∗.obs> file contains the observations that will be processed in ANALYSIS.
The unit of the observations (meter, centimetre, inches) is free. We advise to choose centimetres as the unit for observations, since the number of printed decimal digits for the results
is fixed. So, for centimetres the printed results are actually more accurate.
Remark:
 Never use a ’+’ sign to indicate positive values. It is possible that the record containing
this value is identified as a header line. A value without a sign is identified as a positive
value.
ANALYSIS enables you to define sub-series for the tidal series on this file. This is important
if the series contains gaps or sections with unreliable data, see the description of the input
data file in section A.1. The parts between the sub-series, the so-called gaps, are excluded
from the computation. Be aware that there is no guarantee that your input specification automatically agrees with the sub-series itself. If start and end time for sub-series are specified
incorrectly, it may happen that the input specification for the sub-series is inconsistent with the

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sub-series of the data on the observations file. As a consequence of this, parts of the (unreliable) gaps will be involved in the harmonic analysis. In order to prevent this we strongly advise
to fill the gaps with unrealistic values, e.g. 99999, enabling the system to check whether parts
of gaps are involved in the harmonic analysis. (actually each value bigger than 1000 will satisfy) Detection of these unrealistic values will cause the system to abort with an error-message
ERROR 21. See the list of messages, section D.1.
5.1.3

Output files
A harmonic analysis produces the following result files:

Print file (<∗.pra>)

The print file <∗.pra> starts with an exact echo of the input data file <∗.ina>. Depending
on the option chosen by you (see section 5.1.1), this is followed by an extensive Input Interpretation Report. This part of the print file may contain error and/or warning messages. A
number of constraints, limits and relations are checked immediately after interpretation. The
warnings and errors may interrupt the print output. We strongly advise to scan the print file for
messages immediately after the computation has ended.

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5.1.3.1

output print file
output file with specific information about tidal components
output file with hindcast time-series
output file with residual time-series
output file for graphical presentations

T

<∗.pra>
<∗.cmp>
<∗.hdc>
<∗.res>
<∗.tka>

You may also find some error and/or warning messages as a result of a thorough checks on
the consistency of the set of input parameters, see section D.1.
Next, the print file continues with a printout of the date-time (from the input file) for the tidal
series H(1 : N ), read from the observation file <∗.obs>, plus an echo of the number of
observations.
This is followed by the results. These are printed per instrument and sub-series. For each
instrument and sub-series a table is given with, for each tidal component, the astronomical
arguments V0 + u and F for the middle time point of the instrument or sub-series, as computed by the system. This table (or these tables) is followed by a table of the computed tidal
amplitudes and phases for the selected set of components.
Notice that there may be a slight difference between the input date-time groups for instruments
and sub-series and the printed results. This results from the fact that the computational process requires that the number of observations per instrument or sub-series is odd, which may
lead to disappearance of the last observation.
After the table with computed amplitudes and phases you find the computed parameters V V 1
and V V 2. They are a measure for the standard deviation of the analysis and are computed
in fully independent ways. These two parameters should be (almost) equal for all the printed
digits. That is a guarantee for an accurate numerical solution of the amplitudes and phases.
A difference in the last printed digit is allowed. When there is a significant difference between
V V 1 and V V 2 the matrix of normal equations will be added automatically to the print file
for a some insight in the numerical process. For most applications the numerical process is
sufficiently stable in that it will result in an accurate solution with V V 1 = V V 2. If there
is a significant difference between these two parameters, first check your input. There may
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between V V 1 and V V 2.
The standard deviation represents an estimate for the standard deviation of the residues, that
is, the difference of observation and hindcast over the period of analysis. It gives an indication
how well the hindcast fits the observed data.
Recapitulating, from V V 1 and V V 2 conclusions can be drawn about the numerical accuracy
of the solution in terms of the numerical solution method used. The standard deviation indicates how well the mathematical model with the selected set of components fits the provided
data (observations).

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If you choose the option that provides an accuracy analysis for the computed results a table of
estimated mean errors per tidal component (in terms of cosines and sines, see section 8.4.5)
will be printed. Ideally the mean errors should have roughly equal magnitude. Components
with strongly differing mean errors normally appear in pairs, indicating that the Rayleigh criterion is violated so they could not be resolved independently. You should either apply astronomical coupling of the two, or remove one of them, if coupling is not possible.

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Depending on the options chosen, a table with results on the auto-correlation of the residues
is next. Ideally, the time-series of the residue will behave like white noise. From the statistical
parameters in this table conclusions can be drawn how well the frequency spectrum of the
residue corresponds to the ideal white noise.
The print file concludes with a report giving the dynamic memory usage, an error report and a
file-report. From the report on memory usage you can derive the memory words for dynamic
storage that were unused. This may be useful information when you are considering a rerun
with more components and/or more observations.
5.1.3.2

Component file (<∗.cmp>)

The component file <∗.cmp> starts with a copy of the "plus" header lines from the input data
file <∗.ina> and the observation file <∗.obs>, which serve as an identification of this file.
The component file <∗.cmp> consists of two blocks of results, one block with results per
instrument and the second block with information per sub-series. In the instruments block you
will find the time step and the mean level of the observations, which are computed for each
instrument separately. If computed (IN F O(4) = 1), the linear trend for the instrument will
be added to this block. The block for sub-series contains one or more tables with the computed
amplitudes and phases as well as the applied astronomical arguments V0 + u and F . These
arguments hold for the middle time point of the series and consequently vary per sub-series.
Note that one single set of tidal amplitudes and phases is determined, independent of the
number of instruments or sub-series. For an explanation of these parameters we refer to the
general introduction in section 8.1.
Remark:
 The component file with extension CMP can also be used to prepare input files for the
Prediction sub-system by making use of the FileSelector (see section 5.1.1).

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5.1.3.3

Hindcast file (<∗.hdc>)
The hindcast file <∗.hdc> starts with a copy of the "plus" header lines from the input data file
<∗.ina> and the observation file <∗.obs>, which serve as an identification of this file.
Next, you will find the time-series of the computed hindcast. The hindcast is the time-series
computed on the basis of the tidal amplitudes and phases that have just been determined.
The time-series for the hindcast is computed for the same time period as the tidal series on
the <∗.obs> file is defined, so from date-time begin (TB) until date-time end (TE).

5.1.3.4

Residue file (<∗.res>)

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The residue file <∗.res> starts with a copy of the "plus" header lines from the input data file
<∗.ina> and the observation file <∗.obs>, which serve as an identification of this file.
This header is followed by the time-series of the computed residues. The residues are defined
as observations minus hindcasts. The time period for the residues is the same as for the tidal
series from the <∗.obs> file, so from date-time begin (TB) until date-time end (TE).
Graphics data file (<∗.tka>)

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5.1.3.5

The graphics file <∗.tka> starts with a copy of the "plus" header lines from the input data file
<∗.ina> and the observation file <∗.obs>, which serve as an identification of this file.
This file contains the time-series of time, hindcast, observation and residue in the format that
is needed for presentation using Delft3D-QUICKPLOT or GPP. The time-series on this file are
in original form or corrected for mean, depending on the choice for input parameter INFO(1).
You do not need any knowledge about the contents of this file: the formats are set according
to the requirements of the Delft3D-QUICKPLOT or GPP systems. Keep in mind that you need
this file if you want to do graphics.
5.1.4

Restrictions

In this section we give a complete list of the restrictions of ANALYSIS.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
5.2

The period for harmonic analysis is restricted to 1950-2049.
Maximum number of instruments equals 10.
Maximum number of sub-series (for whole tidal series) equals 100.
Maximum number of components equals 234.
Maximum number of groups of coupled components equals 10.
Maximum number of sub-components per coupled group equals 10.
Minimum number of data per sub-series equals 3.
Minimum number of data per instrument equals 3.
Maximum memory allocation for dynamic storage equals 550 000 memory words.

PREDICT
The formula for astronomical tide prediction is:

H(t) = A0 +

k
X

Ai Fi cos (ωi t + (V0 + u)i − Gi )

(5.1)

i=1

in which:

H(t)

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A0
k
i
Ai
Fi
ωi
(V0 + u)i
Gi

mean water level
number of relevant constituents
index of a constituent
local tidal amplitude of a constituent
nodal amplitude factor
angular velocity
astronomical argument
improved kappa number (= local phase lag).

The values for A0 , Ai and Gi for the selected constituents are input variables. The system
computes V0 + u and F for each constituent (for the period of prediction). Output is a timeseries H(t).

Running the system
Start Delft3D-TIDE, see chapter 3.

The User Interface will pop up. To set the sub-system to PREDICT:

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For a more detailed introduction, see section 8.1 and 8.5.

Select Subsystem → Predict → GUI, see Figure 5.7.

Figure 5.4: Menu option Subsystem → Predict → GUI

The actual sub-system is shown as window title.

PREDICT operates in a file oriented way. That means that input files have to be prepared
before you can start the system successfully. You can prepare an input file either by editing
an already existing PREDICT input file ’by hand’ or — in the case predictions have to be
prepared with sets of tidal constants resulting from a former ANALYSIS run — by making
use of the built-in PREDICT GUI. On the basis of the data on the input file with required mask
<∗.inp> the computational process proceeds. After completion of the computation, a number
of output files have been produced. The print file <∗.prp> contains a complete report of the
computation and provides you with a good impression of the results. The PREDICT GUI may
be very useful while preparing a PREDICT input file on the basis of results of a former tidal
analysis with ANALYSIS.
Below follows a summary of the PREDICT output files:

 output print file
 output file with time-series of predicted values
 output file for graphical presentations
where  is the basename for the input file .

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Automatic input processing
In order to run PREDICT GUI first make this sub-system the active sub-system by selecting
option Predict from the Subsyst menu in the Main Menu.
The PREDICT GUI extracts necessary information from the pertaining <∗.ina> file and
<∗.cmp> file from ANALYSIS in order to create an input file for PREDICT. This sub-system
starts an interactive dialogue and is highly self-explanatory. You are led step by step through
the system; many pages of useful help texts will be shown on the screen.
For the preparation of an input file for PREDICT, some extra data are needed. The interactive
dialogue proceeds as follows:

 Specification of period for prediction

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The time period for prediction can not be derived from a former analysis. You will be
prompted to enter this information.
 A set of tidal components (with local amplitudes and phases)
The block of tidal constituents from the <∗.cmp> file in ANALYSIS will be moved in the
correct format to the correct place in the input file for PREDICT.
 Determination of mean levels per sub-series
In PREDICT you have to split up the time-series for prediction in a number of sub-series,
each with its own mean level. From the individual mean levels as computed during tidal
analysis, one overall (average) mean level is computed for the whole time-series. For the
mean level in the prediction you may agree with the overall mean level as computed in
the GUI and shown on the screen. Reply to the prompt by RETURN if you agree with the
computed average; otherwise type in the desired mean level.
 Definition (start/end time) of sub-series
The system takes care of computing the correct length of the sub-series, taking into account that sub-series do not exceed the length of 1 month duration.
In the PREDICT GUI you can define a new unit for prediction. For example, the tidal analysis
was done in centimetres, but you prefer tidal prediction in meters. For the new unit, the subsystem automatically computes the correct scaling for the tidal constituents. Available units
for water levels are centimetres, meters, inches and decimal feet (e.g. 4.1 feet). For velocities
corresponding units are available.
Prediction from available input file

In order to run PREDICT first make this sub-system the active sub-system by selecting option
Predict from the Subsyst menu in the Main Menu.
Note: Be aware that the input file should satisfy the default extension as defined for PREDICT
input files. If not, please rename the files.
At any time the filenames for the selected input files, can be read as displayed on the main
window. In addition the names of the output files are shown, as derived from the name of
the input file <∗.inp>, applying the default extensions for result files. See section 5.2.3 and
Figure 5.5.
After starting the sub-system the progress will be displayed by the Progress Monitor, see
Figure 5.6. At the end of the run a report of the number of warnings and/or fatal errors is
shown. For an explanation of these warnings/errors, please browse your print file.

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Figure 5.5: Overview of input and output files for sub-system PREDICT

Figure 5.6: Progress Monitor window for sub-system PREDICT

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5.2.2

Input files
In the cases that a prediction will be performed starting from the results of a former analysis
with ANALYSIS, the PREDICT GUI will take care of the format of the <∗.inp> file for PREDICT. If you have to prepare an input file for PREDICT by yourself, it is necessary to know the
exact format of the <∗.inp> file, see section A.2 for the format description.

5.2.3

Output files
Computations with PREDICT result in three output files:

5.2.3.1

Print file (<∗.prp>)

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 output print file
 output file with predictions
 output for graphical presentations

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The print file starts with an exact copy of the input from the input data file, described in the
previous section. Depending on the option chosen by you (see section 5.2.1), this is followed
by an Input Interpretation Report. This contains an interpretation of the parameters from
the input file <∗.inp>. Some times this print-out may be interrupted by error messages,
for example, when built-in restrictions of the software are violated or when the set of input
parameters is internally inconsistent.
The print file will continue with the computed time frames for the sub-series. This is followed
by the presentation of the results per sub-series. For each sub-series a table of the computed
astronomical arguments V0 + u and the nodal factor Fi for the given set of components is
printed, all relative to the middle time point of the sub-series. This is followed by the computed
time-series for the prediction for that sub-series. The print file ends with a table of computed
minima and maxima per sub-series.
5.2.3.2

Predict file (<∗.prd>)

The PREDICT output file <∗.prd> starts with an exact copy of the "plus" header lines from
your input data file to identify the data set. This is followed by the predicted values, 6 values
per record line, without any interruption. The transition points of sub-series are not recognisable.
5.2.3.3

TEKAL file (<∗.tkp>)

The TEKAL output file <∗.tkp> starts with an exact copy of the "plus" header lines from your
input data file to identify the data set. Next, this output file contains the time-series of time and
predicted values in the format needed for presentation on a plotter or on the screen. This data
file is required for doing graphics. The predicted time-series on this file is always in original
form, so without correction for mean value.

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5.2.4

Restrictions
Below, a list of restrictions of PREDICT is given.
1
2
3
4

The period of prediction is restricted to period 1-1-1950 – 31-12-2049.
Maximum number of components equals 234.
Maximum number of sub-series equals 100.
Maximum number of values to be predicted equals 530 000, i.e. a prediction of one year
with a time interval of one minue is possible (530 000 > 366 × 24 × 60).

5.3

HILOW

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There is no explicit restriction on the length of the time period for which predictions can be
made in one computation (apart from the first restriction). If the Prediction GUI is used,
however, the length of the period to predict is limited to 100 months (100 sub-series of 1
month).

For convenience we refer to the introduction on Tide Tables, see section 8.6.
Running the system
Start Delft3D-TIDE, see Chapter 3.

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5.3.1

The User Interface will pop up. To set the sub-system to HILOW:
Select Subsystem → High/Low → GUI, see Figure 5.7.

Figure 5.7: Menu option Subsystem → High/Low → GUI

The actual sub-system is shown as window title.

Like the other sub-systems, HILOW operates in a file oriented way. That means that input
files have to be prepared before you can start the system successfully. You can prepare an
input file either by editing an already existing HILOW input file ’by hand’ or — in the case
tide tables have to be prepared with results of a former ANALYSIS or PREDICT run — by
making use of the built-in HILOW GUI, see section 5.3.1.1. On the basis of the data on the
input files the computational process is started. At completion one single output (print) file
has been created. Besides the actual results, this output file can provide you with a complete
interpretation of the input (Input Interpretation Report), if needed. For filename conventions,
see Appendix C.
For HILOW the following file extensions are defined:

<∗.obs>
<∗.hdc>
<∗.prd>
<∗.inh>
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observed time-series on which tide tables are made
hindcast time-series on which tide tables are made
predicted time-series on which tide tables are made
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<∗.prh> output print file with input report
<∗.hlw> output print file with tide tables
You can choose from the following options:
1 Automatic input processing
2 HILOW from available input file
Automatic input processing
The HILOW GUI may be very useful while preparing a HILOW input file from the results of a
former tidal analysis or from the results of a former tidal prediction.

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In order to run the HILOW GUI first make this sub-system the active sub-system by selecting
option Subsystem → High/Low → GUI from the menu bar.
The GUI can operate in two modes, either from an input file from ANALYSIS or an input file
from PREDICT. The HILOW GUI extracts necessary information from the <∗.ina> file or the
<∗.inp> file from a PREDICT run in order to create an input file for HILOW.

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5.3.1.1

For loading the input file, select File→ Open from the menu bar. A file selection window pops
up from which the input file is selected.
Note: The operation mode of High/Low is dependent on the file extension, either <∗.ina>
or <∗.inp>.
To start the High/Low GUI subsystem press the button Start High/Low GUI.
The sub-system starts an interactive dialogue and is highly self-explanatory. You are led step
by step through the system.
The sub-system can operate in two modes:

1 Using ANALYSIS files for generating hilow-tables for <∗.obs> files or <∗.hdc> (obs =
observed and hdc = hindcast)
The HILOW input file is a copy of the ANALYSIS input file. As extra the first file needs to be
extended with block filter parameters in order to remove the non-astronomical extremes
from the tidal series. The HILOW GUI screens whether or not in the supplied <∗.ina>
file (from tidal analysis) the block filter parameters are present. If not, the block filter
parameters can be selected from a menu. Defaults can be selected by RETURN. Input by
you is validated for the legal range. The selected block filter parameters are added on the
newly created input file for HILOW.
2 Using PREDICT files for generating HILOW-tables for <∗.prd>-files (= predict files)
The HILOW input file will be generated starting from a PREDICT input file. At the end
the needed block filter parameters are asked for (see above). Since the predicted timeseries is purely determined by the supplied tidal constituents, resulting in a smooth behaviour, you are advised to select for the block filter parameters the indicated defaults
(press RETURN).

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General operation of the Delft3D-TIDE subsystems

Figure 5.8: Overview of input and output files for sub-system HILOW

5.3.1.2

HILOW from available input file

HILOW needs input data from two files, the input data file <∗.inh> and the file with the timeseries to be processed for high/low water computations; <∗.obs>, <∗.hdc> or <∗.prd>.
In order to run HILOW first make this sub-system the active sub-system by selecting option
Subsystem → High/Low → Calculation from the menu bar. The required input files should
be loaded from the File → Open menu.
Note: Be aware that the input files should satisfy the default extension as defined for HILOW
input files. If not, please rename the files.
The selected filenames are listed in the TIDE - High/Low water window. The names of the
output files are shown, as derived from the name of the input file <∗.inh>, applying the default
extensions for result files. See section 5.3.3 and Figure 5.8.
By pressing the button Start High/Low the subsystem will start. After starting the subsystem
the progress will be displayed by the Progress Monitor, see Figure 5.9. At the end of the
run report the number of warning and/or fatal errors is shown. For an explanation of these
warnings/errors, please browse your print file.
5.3.2

Input files
The format for the observation time-series file <∗.obs> is described in section A.1 and for
the input file <∗.inh> is described in section A.3.

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5.3.2.1

Time-series files <∗.obs>, <∗.prd> or <∗.hdc>

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Figure 5.9: Progress Monitor window for sub-system HILOW

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This file contains the time-series for which the Tide Tables will be made, executing HILOW.
Usually high/low water tables are generated for

 observations (e.g. as analysed in ANALYSIS)
 hindcasts (e.g. an output series of ANALYSIS)
 predicted time-series (e.g. an output series of PREDICT)

These data-files contain the time-series that will be processed in HILOW.
5.3.2.2

Input data file (<∗.inh>)

In this section we discuss the data on the input data file of HILOW.

The input file for HILOW is identical to the input file of ANALYSIS. It is therefore possible to
use the same input file for both the ANALYSIS and the HILOW computation. The header lines
of the input file of ANALYSIS, however, may contain specific information about that ANALYSIS
run. It is therefore advised to use the HILOW GUI to copy the input file of an ANALYSIS
run to the input file of a HILOW run, because during the input processing a step is included
to change the header lines in the input file from specific ANALYSIS information to specific
HILOW information. For a description of the HILOW input file see section A.3.
5.3.3

Output files

There are two output files, one output print file, <∗.prh>, containing the Input Report followed by some computational results and a second print file with the computed Tide Tables,
<∗.hlw>. Notice that the second file is also a print file.
5.3.3.1

Print file (<∗.prh>)
At each new print page, the "plus" header lines from the <∗.inh> file and <∗.obs>, <∗.hdc>,

<∗.prd> file are inserted for identification.
The print file <∗.prh> first gives an exact echo of the input data file. Next, the Input Interpretation Report is printed. This part may be interrupted by error messages, for example when
built-in limitations of the software are violated, or if the set of input parameters is inconsistent.

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5.3.3.2

Tide table file (<∗.hlw>)
At each new print page, the "plus" header lines from the <∗.inh> file and <∗.obs>, <∗.hdc>
or <∗.prd> file are inserted for identification.
Finally the computed tide tables are printed, <∗.hlw>. These have the form of well-structured
tables for times and values of High Waters (HW) and Low Waters (LW). Next to the dates, a
number is printed. This equals the number of hours elapsed until 0:00 hours that day. Each
year at 1 January 0:00 hours this value is reset to zero.

5.3.4

Restrictions
HILOW is subject to five restrictions. Here, restrictions are only listed for the relevant input
data on the input data file.

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1 The time-series must lie between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 2049.
2 The maximum number of data in the processed time-series equals 18 000 (Nobs ≤ 18 000).
Note: that processing one full year of half-hourly data (2*8 760/2*8 784 values), or a half
year of 15 minute data, does not pose any problems.
3 The maximum number of instruments equals 10.
4 The maximum number of sub-series equals 10.
Remark:
 Restrictions 5 to 9 of section 5.1.4, ANALYSIS, also apply. When preparing an input file
specifically for the HILOW computation or using the HILOW GUI, you will not confront
these restrictions (no coupling, 1 component only, no very short sub-series).
5.4

ASCON

The present sub-system calculates the frequencies and the time dependent astronomical
arguments V0 + u and F for any or all of the 234 internally available constituents and for any
number of date-time groups. The calculations are based on the Schureman-formulae, with
T = 0 equal to 1 January 1900, 00:00 GMT. For a definition and explanation of these factors
and their use in the tidal formula, you are referred to section 8.1.
Remark:
 ASCON is a standalone sub-system. It is also incorporated in ANALYSIS and PREDICT,
where the same quantities are needed.
5.4.1

Running the system
 Start Delft3D-TIDE, see Chapter 3.

The User Interface will pop up. Like the other sub-systems, ASCON operates in a file oriented
way. That means that you have to prepare your (single) input file before you can start the
system successfully. To set the sub-system to ASCON
Select Subsystem → Ascon from the menu bar, see Figure 5.10.

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Figure 5.10: Subsytem→ Ascon selected

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If the input files are not yet selected the open file dialog is opened, with the appropriate file
filter for the input file, otherwise select the menu option File → Open. The actual sub-system
is shown as window title.
On the basis of the data on the input files the computational process is started . At completion
one single output (print) file has been created. For filename conventions, see Appendix C.

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For ASCON the following extensions are defined:

<∗.inc> input file with date-time groups.
<∗.prc> output print file with astronomical arguments.

ASCON needs input data from the input file <∗.inc> only. Here we expect this input file to be
ready for use.
Be aware that the input file should satisfy the default extension as defined for ASCON input
files. If not, please rename the files.
At any time the filenames for the selected input files, can be read from the File Report as
displayed on the lower half of the screen. In addition the names of the output files are shown,
as derived from the name of the input file <∗.inc>, applying the default extensions for result
files. See Appendix C and Figure 5.11.
After starting the sub-system the progress will be displayed by the Progress Monitor, see
Figure 5.12. At the end of the run areport of the number of warnings and/or fatal errors is
shown. For an explanation of these warnings/errors, please browse your print file.
5.4.2

Input files

A description of the ASCON input file is given in section A.4.
5.4.3

Output file
Only one output (print) file is produced, <∗.prc>.

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Figure 5.11: Overview of input and output files for subsystem ASCON

Figure 5.12: Progress Monitor window for sub-system ASCON

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Print file (<∗.prc>)
The print file, <∗.prc>, for ASCON starts with an echo of the "plus" header lines of the input
file, discussed in section A.4.
Next, a (series of) table(s) follows which present the astronomical arguments V0 + u and F
as well as the angular frequency for the selected set of components. The quantity V0 + u is
defined with respect to Greenwich (V0 is the astronomical phase for the Greenwich meridian).
For an explanation of V0 + u and F , see section 8.1.
5.4.4

Restrictions
ASCON is subject to two restrictions

5.5

FOURIER

T

1 The date-time groups must lie between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 2049.
2 The set of components is limited to the 234 internally available components.

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FOURIER incorporates a rather straight-forward Fourier analysis of time-series. Within a
Delft3D-TIDE environment the major application of this sub-system lies in the Fourier analysis
of time-series of residuals as they result from a tidal analysis by ANALYSIS. The location of the
peaks in the Fourier spectrum give information where tidal constituents may be missing. By
absence of relevant information about the major tidal constituents, FOURIER may be useful
when applied on observational time-series to obtain a global impression with respect to the
major tidal constituents.
The TIDE package offers two methods for Fourier analysis:
1 Sub-system FOUR: Standard Fourier Transform (SFT)
2 Sub-system FFT: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
5.5.1

Standard Fourier Transform (SFT)

In FOURIER based on standard Fourier analysis the evaluation of the Fourier spectrum is
done by a numerical approximation of the Fourier integrals. Drawback of this method is it’s
poor performance for long time-series, since the computing time is proportional to the square
of the number of data. Therefore the practical application of this method is restricted to timeseries of some hundreds of involved data. Although the original time-series may be much
longer, the sub-system features the selection of a sub-series (see below).
FOUR features:

a. Selection of sub-series F (n1 : n2 ) as part of the read-in time-series F (1 : n).
b. Restriction of Fourier spectrum to relevant tidal bands.
c. Restriction of the Fourier spectrum S(0 : wmax ) to the sub spectrum S(w1 : w2 ).
Dealing with long time-series, options above may result in a considerable speed-up of the
computational process.
Note: Nowadays computer performance for FOURIER transformation is not a issue any
more. E.g. option a) wit a period of 355 or 369 days can be combined with option c) with
S(0◦ : 180◦ ) assuming ∆t = 1h.

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Ad a. Selection of sub-series F (n1 : n2 ) [synodic periods]
From the read-in time-series F (1 : n) a relevant part F (n1 : n2 ) may be selected for Fourier
analysis. You will be prompted for adequate values for n1 and n2 . FOURIER supports the
selection of synodic periods. In the field of tidal analysis a time interval will be referred to as
a synodic period if it encloses multiples of the major tidal periods, so the periods of the major
tidal constituents. FOURIER includes following synodic periods: 15.0, 29.5, 30.0, 355.0 and
369.0 days.

T

For the Fourier analysis of time-series of residuals it’s preferable to take the length of the
period for analysis (almost) equal to a synodic period. The reason for this is that, as easily can
be derived, for a synodic period the Fourier spectrum will contain the major tidal frequencies.
After the selection of the start of the time-series (= n1 ) the system automatically proceeds
with the computation of the relevant synodic periods. After this the resulting values for n2 will
pop up in a menu, supporting you by the selection of a relevant synodic period.
Ad b. Tidal bands

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The computation of the Fourier spectrum may be restricted to one or more tidal bands, ranging
from tidal band 0 to 12. In the field of tidal analysis a tidal band contains the tidal constituents
with the same diurnality. e.g. tidal band 2 contains the tidal constituents ’occurring’ approximately twice a 24 hour’s day, with M2 as the most well-known constituent. Tidal band 0
contains the long-periodical constituents. As mentioned the restriction of the Fourier analysis
to tidal bands may result in a considerable speed-up of the computational process.
Ad c. Sub spectrum S(w1 : w2 )

Here the computation of the Fourier spectrum may be restricted to a part of the frequency
band, from frequency w1 until w2 . Frequencies w1 and w2 are to be input by you.
Of course the maximum frequencies should not exceed the so-called Nyquist frequency, defined as:

fNyquist =

180
∆t

[degrees/hour]

E.g. for a time step of ∆t = 1 hour the Nyquist frequency = 180 degrees/hour.
5.5.2

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)

The Fast Fourier Transform features it’s superior computational speed. Especially for long
time-series (many thousands of time steps) the Fast Fourier Method may be very useful. The
implemented FFT method is the so-called Markel and Ritea method.This method expects the
number of data to be a power of two. If the number of data on the user-provided data set
is not a power of two, the time-series will be extended by adding zeroes, until the number of
data equals the next power of two. From the definition of the Fourier Transform it is easy to
see that adding zeroes will not affect the resulting Fourier spectrum. It will only increase the
spectral density, resulting in more frequencies per unit.
FFT only features the selection of sub-series F (n1 : n2 ), see above. The definition of
the computational Fast Fourier Transform does not allow the selection of tidal bands or sub
spectra. At the other hand the Fast Fourier Transform is that fast, that this speed-increasing
options are hardly needed.

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Figure 5.13: Menu Subsystem → Fourier → Fourier SFT

5.5.3

Running the system

T

Slightly different from the other sub-systems, FOURIER does not expect the input parameters
to be present on a file.

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Here the input parameters like time step, options etc. should be entered in an interactive
dialogue.
At completion next output files will be created for Standard Fourier Transform:

 output print file for SFT
 output file for graphical presentations for SFT
For Fast Fourier Transform output files below will be created:

 output print file for FFT
 output file for graphical presentations for FFT
Start Delft3D-TIDE, see Chapter 3.

The User Interface will pop up. In order to run FOURIER first make this sub-system the active
sub-system by selecting option Fourier from the Subsystem menu in the Main Menu, see
Figure 5.13.
At any time the filenames for the selected input files, can be read from the File Report as
displayed on the lower half of the screen. In addition the names of the output files are shown,
as derived from the name of the input file, applying the default extensions for result files.
The time-series for Fourier analysis will be read from an external data set.
The format of this data set should be like the well-known TIDE-format of the <∗.res> files
from ANALYSIS.
5.5.4

Restrictions
FOURIER is subject to one restriction.
1 Number of time-series: n ≤ 550 000.

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ANALYSIS, PREDICT and both FOURIER sub-systems create column oriented TEKAL data
files, <∗.tka> and <∗.tkp> files. As these files contain an appropriate header for the
Delft3D-QUICKPLOT and GPP graphics programs, these files can easily be processed by
Delft3D-QUICKPLOT and GPP.
Delft3D-QUICKPLOT and GPP may be activated from the Delft3D-MENU. Select Utilities in
the main window, next QUICKPLOT or GPP.

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From the TEKAL data files of ANALYSIS time-series can be plotted of observations, hindcast
and residuals. From the TEKAL data files from PREDICT the time-series of the tidal prediction
can be plotted. From the TEKAL data files of FOURIER the spectral series can be plotted of
the residuals. For the application of Delft3D-QUICKPLOT and GPP, we refer to the respective
User Manuals (QUICKPLOT UM, 2013; GPP UM, 2013).

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7 Tutorial
For each of the subsystems are tutorials given. These examples are part of the tutorials as
distributed with Delft3D.
7.1

ANALYSIS
For the ANALYSIS subsystem 4 examples are given.
Example 1
Hook of Holland
Coastal station North Sea
year 1980, month of April
37
3
1
1
no
no
no

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Tidal Station
Location
Period
Number of components
Number of coupling groups
Number of instruments
Number of sub-series
Trend/ linear variation
Accuracy analysis
Graphics file

T

7.1.1

Remarks:
 The dataset with the observations contains hourly data for all of 1980. Only the data for
the month of April are used in the tidal analysis.
 The print file of this example contains a number of warning for the violation of the
Rayleigh criterion. This example represents the situation that there are constituents
which are formally too close in frequency (∆ω = 0.4715, requiring an observation
length of 360/(24 × 0.4711) = 31.9 days). You should either apply astronomical coupling (see section 8.3.4 ), or drop one of the two constituents. Given the nature of the
least squares solution method, however, a 90 % satisfaction of the Rayleigh criterion
is almost always acceptable. This is the example here. If the computation is redone
with observation length 32 days or more, the Rayleigh criterion is formally satisfied (no
warnings). In the present example, the results will be practically the same.
7.1.2

Example 2

Tidal Station
Location
Period
Number of components
Number of coupling groups
Number of instruments
Number of sub-series
Trend/linear variation
Accuracy analysis
Graphics file

Hook of Holland
Coastal station North Sea
full year 1980
60
0
1
1
no
no
yes; with correction for mean level

Remark:
 The hindcast file  will be used for HILOW Example 7.3.2.

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7.1.3

Example 3
Tidal Station
Period
Number of components
Number of coupling groups
Number of instruments
Number of sub-series
Trend/ linear variation
Accuracy analysis
Graphics file

Centre Point of the Bermuda Triangle
1 – 30 June 1989
29
3
2
1
yes
yes
yes; without correction for mean level

7.1.4

T

Remarks:
 See the second remark of Example 7.1.1.
 The residuals  will be used for FOURIER Example 7.3.1
Example 4

Atlantis (Lost Continent)
Atlantic Ocean
Full year 2024
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0
2
6
no
no
no

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Tidal Station
Location
Period
Number of components
Number of coupling groups
Number of instruments
Number of sub-series
Trend/ linear variation
Accuracy analysis
Graphics file

Remark:
 See the second remark of Example 7.1.1. Formal satisfaction of the Rayleigh Criterion
requires an observation length of 365 days ( 360/(24×0.0411) = 365). In the present
observation series the month of January is not present which reduces the length to 334
days (∆ω = 360/(24 × 334) = 0.0449).
7.2

PREDICT

For the PREDICT subsystem 2 examples are given.
7.2.1

Example 1

Tidal Station
Location
Period
Time step
Number of components
Number of sub-series

Atlantis (Lost Continent)
Atlantic Ocean
1 - 30 June 2027
30 minutes
38
1

Remark:
 The prediction file  will be used for HILOW Example 7.3.1.

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7.2.2

Example 2
Tidal Station
Location
Period
Time step
Number of components
Number of sub-series

7.3

Hook of Holland
Coastal station North Sea
1999 November 1 until 2000 February 29
60 minutes
60
4

HILOW
For the HILOW subsystem 3 examples are given.
Example 1
Atlantis (Lost Continent); prediction
Atlantic Ocean
1 – 30 June 2027
30 minutes

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Input time-series
Location
Period
Time step

T

7.3.1

Remark:
 The prediction file  comes from PREDICT Example 7.2.1 .
7.3.2

Example 2

Input time-series
Location
Period
Time step

Hook of Holland; hindcast
Coastal station North Sea
Full year 1980
60 minutes

Remarks:
 It is noted once again that the HILOW input file is equal to the ANALYSIS input file: if an
analysis has been performed, the same input file can be used for tide tables of either
the observed or the hindcast series.
 Although the full year is available, the input file is prepared to generate the tables of
High and Low water for the month of April only. This is comparable to the ANALYSIS
Example.
 The hindcast file  comes from ANALYSIS Example 7.1.2.
7.3.3

Example 3

Input time-series
Period
Time step

Centre Point Bermuda Triangle; observed water level
series
1 – 30 June 1989.
60 minutes

Remark:
 This is the observation series analysed in ANALYSIS Example 7.1.3.
7.4

ASCON
For the ASCON subsystem 2 examples are given.

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Example 1
Tidal Station
Number of components
Astronomical arguments for the
following Date-Time groups

7.4.2

Example 2
Tidal Station
Location
Number of components
Astronomical arguments for the
following Date-Time group

7.5

Centre Point of the Bermuda Triangle
29
1999, January 1 , 00:00:00 GMT
2000, January 1 , 00:00:00 GMT
2001, January 1 , 00:00:00 GMT

Hook of Holland
Coastal station North Sea
60
2049, December 31, 00:00:00 GMT

FOURIER

7.5.1

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For the FOURIER subsystem 3 examples are given.

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7.4.1

Example 1

Tidal Station
Character of the data
Length of generated time-series
Length of analysed time-series
Fourier option

Centre Point of the Bermuda Triangle
Residue file from example 3 of analysis
30.0 days
29.5 days from start (=suitable period)
tidal bands 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8

The examples 7.5.2 and 7.5.3 are related to artificial time-series for an adequate test of the
Standard Fourier Transform and the Fast Fourier Transform.
The generic formulae for the artificial time-series reads:

F (t) =

n
X

Ai cos(ωi t)

i=1

7.5.2

Example 2

Character of the data
Parameters in generic formulae

Length of generated time-series
Length of analysed time-series
Time step (minutes)
Applied Fourier Method
Fourier option

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Artificial
ω1 = 15.5 degr/h, A1 = 10 cm
ω2 = 16.5 degr/h, A2 = 20 cm
ω3 = 28.5 degr/h, A3 = 30 cm
30 days (=720 data points)
30 days (=720 data points)
60 minutes
Standard Fourier Method
full spectrum analysis

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Example 3
Character of the data
Parameters in generic formulae

T

Length of generated time-series
Length of analysed time-series
Time step (minutes)
Applied Fourier Method

Artificial
ω1 = 21.97 degr/h, A1 = 10 cm
ω2 = 43.94 degr/h, A2 = 20 cm
ω3 = 109.86 degr/h, A3 = 30 cm
682.67 days (=16384 data points)
682.67 days (=16384 data points)
60 minutes
Fast Fourier Transform

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8 Conceptual description
Mathematical representation of the tide
The astronomical tide observed in oceans and seas is directly or indirectly the result of gravitational forces acting between the sun, moon, and earth. The influence of other celestial
bodies is negligibly small.
The most important motions for the tide are the earth’s rotation around its axis (1 day), the
moon’s orbit around the earth (27.32 days), and the earth’s orbit around the sun (365.25
days).

T

The observed tidal motion can be described in terms of a series of simple harmonic constituent motions, each with its own characteristic frequency ω (angular velocity). The amplitudes A and phases G of the constituents vary with the positions where the tide is observed.
In this representation by means of the primary constituents, compound and higher harmonic
constituents may have to be added. This is the case in shallow water areas for example.
where advection, large amplitude to depth ratio, and bottom friction give rise to non-linear
interactions. For a list of primary and compound constituents, see Appendix B.

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8.1

The general formula for the astronomical tide is:

H(t) = A0 +

k
X

Ai Fi cos (ωi t + (V0 + u)i − Gi )

(8.1)

i=1

in which:

H(t)
A0
k
i
Ai
Fi
ωi
(V0 + u)i
Gi

water level at time t
mean water level over a certain period
number of relevant constituents
index of a constituent
local tidal amplitude of a constituent
nodal amplitude factor
angular velocity
astronomical argument
improved kappa number (= local phase lag)

F and (V0 + u) are time-dependent factors which, together with ω , can easily be calculated
and are generally tabulated in the various tidal year books. V0 is the phase correction factor
which relates the local time frame of the observations to an internationally agreed celestial
time frame. V0 is frequency dependent. F and u are slowly varying amplitude and phase
corrections and are also frequency dependent. For most frequencies they have a cyclic period
of 18.6 years. A0 , Ai and Gi are position-dependent: they represent the local character of
the tide.
If for a specific location A0 , Ai and Gi are known, the above formula can be used to predict
the local water level H(t) at any time.
Conversely, if at a location a series of tidal observations W (tj ) is known, the above formula
can be used in a least squares analysis to estimate the constants A0 , Ai and Gi .

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8.2

Tidal current
The tidal current (horizontal tide) and the water level (vertical tide) are two appearances of
the same tidal phenomenon. The local behaviour of the current components can also be
described in terms of a series of simple harmonic constituents. So, Equation (8.1) holds also
for currents, with generally the same constituents (same ω , frequency), but with its own values
for A0 , Ai and Gi .
Tidal analysis of current component registrations is analogous to analysis of water level observations. With A0 , Ai and Gi known for the components of a current vector, a prediction of
the tidal current can again be made for any given period in the past or future.

8.3
8.3.1

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Remarks:
 In the remainder of this User Manual only water levels are mentioned. All sub-systems
and all theory apply equally well to the scalar components of current observations. Since the (tidal) current is a vector quantity, you must first split it into orthogonal
components, e.g. North and East current components.
 These scalars can then be treated just as water levels. This holds for all concepts in this
manual: tidal analysis, sets of components, tidal prediction, tables of times and values
of tidal current extremes, graphics, etc.
Tidal analysis

Mathematical model

Starting from a series of e.g. hourly or half-hourly tidal height registrations W (tj ), ANALYSIS
can be used to determine the constants A0 , Ai and Gi . On the basis of one month of data a
good characterisation of the tide can already by given. A drawback of such short series is the
fact that not all important tidal constituents (tidal components) can be resolved independently.
With observations of longer duration, such as one year, also longer period constituents and
various small constituents can be determined explicitly and independently.
A key part of the analysis is the proper selection of the set of constituents which is assumed
to give a proper representation of the tide. Equation (8.1) with the set of assumedly important
tidal constituents forms the mathematical model of the tide that you prescribe. Knowledge
and information about the nature of the local tide, together with the sampling rate and duration
of the observations are essential in order to develop a good mathematical model.
As a result of non-resolvable very long period constituents or non-astronomical phenomena
such as wind, the mean water level may vary slowly. Also, the position of the registration
instrument may gradually change. To take account of such motions, if present, you may
include an extra term Bt to the analysis formula Equation (8.1), representing a trend.
In the case that the model is formulated in terms of k relevant constituents, a total of (2k + 1)
unknowns A0 , Ai and Gi must be determined (or (2k + 2) unknowns, if Bt is included). This
is realised by minimisation of the quantity:

X

(W (tj ) − H(tj ))2 ,

(8.2)

j

using a least squares technique.
We have now — partly implicitly — touched upon four essential aspects of the formulation of
the mathematical model that require further attention:
1 the measurement interval (Nyquist condition)

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2 the total duration of the registration (Rayleigh Criterion)
3 astronomical coupling of constituents
4 the least squares solution technique
8.3.2

Nyquist condition (measurement interval)
In section 8.1 the general formula for the astronomical tide is given (Equation (8.1)). The tide
is prescribed as the sum of a series of single harmonic functions, each with its own frequency,
local amplitude and local phase (lag) or improved kappa number. The tidal frequencies that
are present in the tidal observation fix the frequencies in the tidal model.

1
∆t ≤ Tmin
2

T

The mathematical model requires that the measurement interval (Wt ) is at most half the
smallest wave period (Tmin ) that is present in the signal. This is called the Nyquist criterion:
(8.3)

DR
AF

In the oceans and in coastal seas the discernable tidal frequencies are generally smaller than
180◦ /hour. This means that they correspond to wave periods that are larger than 120 minutes.
So, a measurement interval of W (t) = 60 minutes (1 hour) will satisfy.
In complicated river and estuarine situations much higher frequencies may occur. The water
level in the Gironde river in France is characterised by periodic fluctuations with frequencies
of 720 degrees per hour, which are of tidal origin. These frequencies correspond to wave
periods of 30 minutes, requiring a tidal measurement interval of 15 minutes or less.
In practice, the absence of tidal energy at the 12th-diurnal band, with frequencies roughly
180◦ /hour (see Appendix B), forms a guarantee that a measurement interval of 60 minutes is
satisfactory.
8.3.3

Rayleigh criterion

The duration of a tidal observation — generally called the observation "length" — will vary
from case to case. This means that the resolvability of independent constituents, each having
its own fixed frequency, varies from situation to situation as well:
"In order to be able to resolve all constituents accurately, their frequencies must differ from
one another by at least:

∆ω =

360◦
T

(8.4)

in which T is the duration of the observation in hours".
This criterion is known as the Rayleigh criterion.

∆ω is also the smallest Fourier frequency component that can be resolved for a given timeseries.
In practice the observation length is given and cannot easily be changed. The Rayleigh criterion then restricts the number of constituents that can be prescribed independently. For
example, with a 30 days registration, the Rayleigh criterion requires:

∆ω =

Deltares

360
360
=
= 0.5
30 × 24
720

(8.5)

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Similarly, registrations of 180 and 360 days duration lead to a Rayleigh criterion of 0.08333
and 0.04166 degrees per hour, respectively.
Appendix B lists all available tidal constituents and their frequencies in order of increasing
frequencies. It is clear that in most tidal analysis computations the Rayleigh criterion will
drastically restrict the choice of constituents that can be included.
Astronomical coupling

T

Very often a tidal registration series has a length of only one month. In many waters, however,
a proper description of the tide requires the inclusion of tidal constituents that can only be
resolved from half a year or a year of data. Simple inclusion of these components in the
mathematical model of the local tide will imply a violation of the Rayleigh criterion and lead to
unreliable results.
In the Delft3D-TIDE system you may resolve the related constituents in a coupled sense. Let
us assume the situation of one main component and several sub-components which are too
close in the frequency domain. You must prescribe the amplitude and phase relations
between the two or more constituents involved. In the numerical solution one "lumped" constituent is resolved. Afterwards, the prescribed relations are applied again to determine the
separate amplitudes and phases. We note that this system presupposes that the main component is essentially larger than the sub-components.

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8.3.4

H(t) = A0 +

k
X

Ai Fi cos (ωi t + (V0 + u)i − Gi )

(8.6)

i=1

i 6= υξ , . . . , υξ + λξ
ξ = 1, 2, ....., τ
τ
X


Aυξ Fυξ cos ωυξ t + (V0 + u)υξ − Gυξ
H(t) = A0 +

(8.7)

ξ=1

where:

τ
ξ
λξ
υξ

number of groups of astronomically coupled constituents.
sequence number of the group.
number of sub-components in group ξ , solved together with the main component of group ξ .
index; 1 ≤ υξ ≤ λξ .

Appendix B gives a list of the astronomical couplings that may have to be made in case of
short observation series. Well known are the couplings (K1, P1), (N2, NU2), and (S2, K2). In
practice you should always try to use amplitude and phase relations based on a long period
analysis of a neighbouring station. Only if such information is not available, you may resort to
equilibrium tide relations given in Appendix B (amplitude relation is prescribed, phase relation
is equal to zero).
Remarks:
 You should always resolve the constituents of these three groups independently, if the
series is sufficiently long. It is strongly advised not to perform an analysis on a series
that is shorter than 30 days, e.g. 15 days. In such an analysis too many constituents
have to be coupled, which makes the mathematical model too rigid.
 The best results are obtained with observation periods corresponding to the so-called
synodic periods of one month, six months, and one year.

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8.3.5

Least squares solution technique
Assuming the choice of the mathematical model for the tide fixed (k constituents, a mean A0
and a linear trend B0 ), the model is numerically solved by means of a least squares technique.
This is based on the minimisation of the quantity:
N
X

(W (ti ) − H(ti ))2 ,

(8.8)

i=1

T

where N is the number of observations, and W (ti ) is the value of the observation at ti .
The solution involves a linear system of (2k + 1) or (2k + 2) equations, solved by LUdecomposition. For good resolution, N should be much larger than (2k + 2). This is one of
the reasons why you should try to minimise the number of constituents that enter in the tidal
model. That is also directly in line with the aim of tidal analysis:
"extracting the local amplitudes and local phases of those constituents, that together give a
good description of the deterministic tidal part of an observation".

8.4.1

Special features

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8.4

Trends

As a result of non-resolvable very long period constituents or non-astronomic phenomena
such as wind, the mean water level may vary slowly. Also, the position of the registration
instrument may gradually change. To take into account of such motions, if present, you may
include an extra term B0 t to the analysis formula Equation (8.1), representing a trend.
8.4.2

Astronomically coupled constituents

Depending on the duration of the registration there may be constituents with a difference
in frequency that is too small for proper resolution of both constituents. In these cases the
smallest is linked to a corresponding main constituent and solved implicitly as part of this main
constituent. Afterwards the two constituents are decomposed using astronomical relations or
nearby information about the relative importance of the two. For a detailed description, see
section 8.3.4 above.
8.4.3

Registration gaps or unreliable data parts (sub-series)

In case of failure of the recording instrument, or otherwise partly unreliable data, sub-series
are defined, which are separated by gaps. These gaps cover the time periods of the unreliable
data. With separate values for F and (V0 + u) per sub-series, A0 , B0 , Ai and Gi are
determined excluding the gaps.
8.4.4

Multiple instruments
A special case arises if for the registration more than one instrument is used in succession.
The instrument sub-series, which my have different sampling intervals, are separated by nonzero or zero length gaps. For each sub-series a set of values A0j and B0j is determined,
while the one set Ai , Gi is again based on the complete registration.

8.4.5

Accuracy analysis
The tidal analysis includes the computation of a standard deviation as an indication of the
quality of the analysis. If the proper input options are specified, additional quantities are

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determined which enable a thorough quality assessment of the results: a median error per
constituent, and auto-correlation function of the residue for various time lags.
The median error is defined by:

r
εi =
εi
VV2
Li
N
Z

V V 2 × Li
N −Z

(8.9)

mean error in i-th unknown
standard deviation of the residuals
i-th main diagonal element of the inverted solution matrix
number of observations used
total number of unknowns

T

It is noted that in the actual solution of the matrix the equation in amplitudes and phases is
rewritten in one in terms of cosine and sine functions:

A cos(ωt − ψ) = A cos ψ cos ωt + a sin ψ sin ω = a cos ωt + b sin ωt

is the mean error for one of the elements of the unknowns {A0j , B0j , ak , bk }.

DR
AF

εi

(8.10)

In the print file of a tidal analysis (extension <∗.pra>), values for the two parameters V V 1
and V V 2 are given. Parameter V V 1 is related to the numerical condition number of the
linear system of equations from which the tidal constituents are solved. Parameter V V 2
represents the standard deviation of the residuals.
8.5

Tidal prediction

The character of the tide at a given location in determined by the local values of the set A0 ,
Ai and Gi . If this set, or the main part of it, is known from literature or as the result of
the ANALYSIS part of TIDE, a prediction of tidal heights for any given period can be made.
Commonly used time intervals are 5, 6, 10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Time variation of the
astronomical fluctuations F and u over the considered period can be accounted for, and a
linear trend may be included.
Remark:
 In literature Ai and Gi are given in the local time zone of the station involved. Using
PREDICT will then also result in a prediction given in local time. This is in line with
ANALYSIS, where sets of Ai and Gi in local time are determined on the basis of an
observation series in local time.
The following two publications give (very small) sets of amplitudes and phases for a large
number of coastal stations world-wide: UKHO (annual), these only give data for O1, K1, M2
and S2 and SHOM (1982), contains data for at most the following 10 constituents: SA, Q1,
O1, K1, N2, M2, S2, MN4, M4, and MS4. However the Table des marées des grands ports du
monde (SHOM, 1982) is no longer in force since 2000.
8.6

Tide tables
Using a time-series of predicted or observed tidal heights with the corresponding time frame
as input, HILOW determines the times and heights of high and low water. Taking account of
the diurnal, semi-diurnal, or mixed character of the tide via windowing, a special filter technique is applied to ignore incidental peaks or measuring errors. Registration gaps and tide
gauge replacements are automatically taken care of. The results present the time and heights

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of high and low water per day. For each sub-series some statistical information, i.e. average
level, maximal and minimal levels, and mean rise and fall, is added.

DR
AF

T

Remark:
 The present approach to the preparation of tide tables is essentially different from the
generally used procedure, since it is not based on the differentiation of Equation (8.1).
This has the advantage that any observed tidal series, including meteorological effects,
can be processed as well. When processing observed series, the Delft3D-TIDE option
to detect physical extremes (measurement errors, etc.) is very useful, see item A.3
(filter parameters).

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References
Delft3D IM, 2013. Delft3D Installation Manual. Deltares, 4.01 ed.
GPP UM, 2013. Delft3D-GPP User Manual. Deltares, 2.14 ed.
QUICKPLOT UM, 2013. Delft3D-QUICKPLOT User Manual. Deltares, 2.14 ed.
SHOM, 1982. “Table des marées des grands ports du monde.” Brest. Service Hydrographique
et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM). No 540.

DR
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T

UKHO (annual). “Admiralty Tide Tables (4 volumes).” United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
(UKHO), NP 201-204.

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A Input file formats
A description of the input file formats of the subsystems ANALYSIS, PREDICT, HILOW and
ASCON. For FOURIER no input file format need to be described.
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS needs input data from two files, the input data file (with the required extension
) and the file with observations (with the required extension ).

T

Input may often be entered in free format, but must sometimes be entered in fixed format.
Free format means that it makes no difference where you put the input on the line, taking into
account the order. Fixed format means that the input should be placed in a certain column
range (column fields). Text format means that you may enter any text, but left justified on the
input line (start in column 1). Pay attention to the maximum number of characters on input,
which may vary per input record.
In the input file several date-time groups for start and end of time periods have to be entered.
A date-time group consists of a date, followed by the time and separated by two blanks. The
date should be entered in a yymmdd format and the time in a hhmmss format. So, the
complete format for the date-time group is: yymmdd hhmmss.

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A.1

A date-time group should always be entered left justified on the input line, like text input. For
example, for a time-series starting at October 20, 1989, 14:55:00 you should specify on the
input line:
891020

145500

The input is subdivided into a number of separate items. For each item the number of required
input lines will be specified, providing you with just that extra bit of information necessary for
a complete understanding of the input description.
The input description will be understood more easily if you consult the input example at the
end of this section from time to time.
Below we give a systematic, record for record, explanation for the input data file. The input
parameters are printed in bold type, immediately followed by an explanation. If needed, the
limitation of the sub-system with respect to input parameters is indicated.
Header lines (1 ≤ number of lines ≤ 20)

It is advised to start the input data file with header lines in which you can include some
relevant information for this analysis run. Relevant information may be the time period of
the observations, the name of the tidal station, the geographical position of the tidal station,
etc. Header lines are recognised by the system by the first character of a record. The first
character of a header line has to be ’+’ or ’∗’.
If the first character of a header line is ’+’, this header line will be copied to the output files. If
the first character of a header line is ’∗’, this header line will not be copied to the output files.
For example in case of ANALYSIS the ’plus header lines’ on the <∗.ina> file will include
relevant notes on the tidal analysis, the origin of applied set of components, coupling of components, etc.

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The ’plus header lines’ for the time-series with observations, <∗.obs> file, may include relevant information about the tidal station, for example geographical position, coastal/offshore
station, number of instruments, quality of measured data, etc.
HEADER(1)

(text)

···

···

HEADER(Nheader)

(text)

HEADER(i) is the i-th header line at the start of the input data file (N header ≤ 20). The
maximum information per line is 255 characters.
Tidal series (4 lines)

T

Nobs
TB
TE
UNIT

TB

TE

UNIT

is the total number of observations to be read from the <∗.obs> file (file with
observations). Reading always start from the first observation on the <∗.obs>
file. Since the observation file also starts with a five-line identification header,
this is the first number on the sixth line of the <∗.obs> file. From the <∗.obs>
file the tidal series H(N obs) will be read.
is the date-time group of the first observation H(1) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:
yymmdd hhmmss, left justified on the input line.
is the date-time group of the last observation H(N obs) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:
yymmdd hhmmss, left justified on the input line.
is the description (text) for the unit of the observations. This text is only used for
generating appropriate header lines in the output files. No internal conversions
will follow. The maximum number of characters is 8. Example: CM WATER.

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Nobs

(free)
(fixed)
(fixed)
(text)

Options (1 line)
INFO(1:5)

(free)

INFO is an option array with 5 options.
INFO(1)

= 0:

= 1:
= 2:

no GRAPHICS data file will be created. You do not intend to present
the results in graphical form.
a GRAPHICS data file will be created with the original time-series of
the observations, with the hindcast and with the residue.
same as INFO(1)=1 but time-series above are corrected for mean
level per instrument.
Explanation:
The three time-series are plotted in one frame. For scaling purposes,
it is desirable that the time-series to be plotted have approximately
the same mean value. The mean levels for observation and hindcast
are the same; per definition the mean of the residue in tidal analysis
equals zero. So, if the mean of observation (hindcast) differs significantly from zero, application of this last option will allow a better
scaling of the graphical output.

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Input file formats

INFO(2)

= 0:
= 1:

matrix of normal equations will not be printed.
matrix of normal equations will be printed; provides some extra information in case of numerical problems.

INFO(3)

= 0:
= 1:

no accuracy analysis.
an accuracy analysis will be performed, comprising the estimation of
mean errors for amplitudes and phases as well as the auto-correlation
of the residue.

INFO(4)

= 0:

it is assumed that there is no linear change (linear trend) in the mean
level of the observations.
a linear change of mean level will be computed for each instrument.

= 1:

inactive option

Selection of component set (Ncomp + 1 lines)

···

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AF

Ncomp
COMP(1)

T

INFO(5)

COMP(Ncomp)
Ncomp
COMP(i)

(free)
(text)

···
(text)

is the total number of selected main components. Condition: Ncomp ≤ 234.
represents the name of component i from the selected set of components. The
components should be selected from the list of the 234 internally available tidal
components, see Appendix B.

The name of each component should be entered in upper cast, and be left justified on a new
line, resulting in Ncomp input lines for the set of components.
In principle, this set may be entered in any order of tidal frequency. A good habit, however, is to
provide the components in order of increasing tidal frequency. There is an important exception
in case of coupled components. For a group of coupled components the sub-components only
appear in the following lines:
Groups of coupled components (Ncoupl + 1 lines)
Ncoupl

Ncoupl

(free)

is the total number of coupled groups in the set of components. In section 8.3.4
you will find under which conditions coupling of components is required. Condition: 0 ≤ Ncoupl ≤ 10. If Ncoupl > 0 a series of input lines follow in order
to prescribe the coupling in detail. If Ncoupl = 0, no coupling will be applied.

The next input line(s) each define one group of coupled components. On each input line
the name of the main component is followed by the names of the sub-components and the
prescribed amplitude and phase relations.
MAIN(1) SUB(1,Nsub(1)) RHO(1,Nsub(1)) PSI(1,Nsub(1))

···
MAIN(Ncoupl) SUB(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl)) RHO(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl))
PSI(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl)) (one record!)
MAIN(i)
SUB(i,j)

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is the name of the main component for group i.
is the name of the sub-component j for group i.

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RHO(i,j)

PSI(i,j)

Nsub(i)

is the estimated amplitude ratio between sub-component j of group i and the
main component of group i. It is the amplitude of sub-component j divided by
that of its main component.
is the phase difference between sub-component j of group i and the main component of group i. It is the estimated astronomical phase of component j minus
that of its main component, see also section 8.3.4 and Appendix B.
is the total number of sub-components for group i. Condition: N sub(i) ≤ 10
for each coupling group i.

Each well-defined group of coupled components will fit on one input line!

Instruments (2Nins + 2 lines)

N1(1)
N2(1)

···

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AF

Nins

T

The items on input lines for coupling are not bound to column fields. The format is completely
free; only the order of the items is important.

N1(Nins)
N2(Nins)
Nins
N1(i)
N2(i)

(free)
(free)
(free)

···
(free)
(free)

is the total number of instruments involved in the measurement of the selected
tidal series. Condition: Nins ≤ 10.
is the sequence number of the first observation of instrument i.
is the sequence number of the last observation of instrument i.

These sequence numbers are related to and must correspond to the sequence numbers in
the time-series H(N obs) that will be analysed.
T1ins
T2ins

···
T1Nins
T2Nins

T1ins
T2ins
T1Nins
T2Nins

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(fixed)
(fixed)

···
(fixed)
(fixed)

is the date-time group of the first observation of instrument 1.
is the date-time group of the last observation of instrument 1.
is the date-time group of the first observation of the last instrument.
is the date-time group of the last observation of the last instrument.

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Input file formats

Sub-series (2Nsub + 1 lines)
Nsub
Nsub

(free)
is the total number of sub-series in the selected tidal series. Condition: N sub ≤
10. The minimum is 1 (one single series; no gaps; one instrument).

T1sub
T2sub

(fixed)
(fixed)

···
T1Nsub
T2Nsub
is the date-time group of the first observation of sub-series 1.
is the date-time group of the last observation of sub-series 1.
is the date-time group of the first observation of the last sub-series.
is the date-time group of the last observation of the last sub-series.

T

T1sub
T2sub
T1Nsub
T2Nsub

(fixed)
(fixed)

DR
AF

In the case that a simple one instrument series without any gaps has to be analysed, these
date-time groups will be equal to TB and TE, respectively.
Block filter parameters (1 line)
Afilter Nfilter Mfilter

(free)

Afilter, Nfilter and Mfilter are filter parameters for sub-system HILOW, used for smoothing
purposes. It is used to separate tidal and non-tidal extremes in the time-series. These procedures are mainly important for data from measurements, which may contain instrumentation
errors and meteorological effects.
Afilter

Weight factor for block filter.
Range: 0.01 ≤ Afilter ≤ 1.0
Default: 0.2

Nfilter

Measure for the width of the block filter in terms of the number of values
preceding or following. The width of the filter follows from: 2Nfilter + 1.
Range: 1 ≤ Nfilter ≤ 6
Default: 2

Mfilter

Number of iterations for the block filter.
Range: 1 ≤ Mfilter ≤ 3
Default: 2

We advise to start with the indicated default values for the filter parameters. In almost all
situations these defaults will satisfy, and give only real tidal maxima and minima. If this is
not the case, for instance if meteorological effects have given rise to extra extremes in the
observed time-series that you are considering, rerun the computation with larger values of the
filter parameters.
In ANALYSIS the block filters are not used. With this extra input line, this input file will also and
without changes serve as the input file for high/low water computations with HILOW, either for
the present observation series, or the corresponding hindcast series.

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Examples input files
The Tutorial ANALYSIS Example 3  file:
Deltares
p.o. box 177 2600 MH Delft
TIDE Analysis and prediction of tides
Example 3 from Tutorial ANALYSIS
TIDAL ANALYSIS Centre point Bermuda Triangle, JUNE 1989
==================================================
720
890601 000000
890630 230000
CM WATER
1
0
1
1
0
26
2Q1
Q1
O1
M1
K1
J1
OO1
3MS2
MNS2
MU2
N2
M2
L2
S2
MSN2
2SM2
MO3
M3
2MNS4
MN4
M4
SN4
MS4
3SM4
3MO5
M6
3
S2
K2
0.284
0.00
N2
NU2
0.194
0.00
K1
P1
0.328
0.00
2
1 168 181 720
890601 000000
890607 230000
890608 120000
890630 230000
2
890601 000000
890607 230000
890608 120000
890630 230000
0.2
2
2

DR
AF

T

+
+
+
+
+
*

The Tutorial ANALYSIS Example 4  file:
+
+
+
+

Deltares
p.o. box 177 2600 MH Delft
TIDE Analysis and prediction of tides
Example 4 from Tutorial ANALYSIS

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T

+ TIDAL ANALYSIS, year 2024
* =================================================================
8784
240101 000500
241231 230000
M WATER
0 0 0 0 0
38
SA
SSA
MSM
MM
MS0
KO0
MFM
2Q1
SIGMA1
Q1
RO1
O1
M1
PI1
K1
P1
J1
OO1
O2
MU2
N2
NU2
OP2
M2
L2
S2
K2
NO3
MO3
M3
SO3
MK3
SK3
MN4
M4
MS4
M6
2MS6
0
2
1
1594
1597
8784
240101 000500
240307 090500
240307 120000
241231 230000
6
240201 120500
240307 090500
240307 120000
240416 140000
240417 130000
240607 080000
240607 160000
240724 090000
240724 110000
241009 090000
241009 120000
241231 230000

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0.2 2 2

PREDICT
If you have to prepare an input file for PREDICT by yourself, it is necessary to know the exact
format of the <∗.inp> file.
At some places, input data can be entered in free format, but elsewhere it may need to be
entered in fixed format. Free format means that it makes no difference where you put the input
on the line, as long as you take into account the order in which it is supplied. Fixed format
means that the input should be placed in certain column ranges (column fields). Text format
means any text, as long as it is left justified on the input line (start in column 1). Pay attention
to the maximum number of characters on input, which may vary per input.

T

In the input file several date-time groups for start and end of time periods have to be entered.
A date-time group consists of a date, followed by the time and separated by two blanks. The
date should be entered in a yymmdd format and the time in a hhmmss format. So, the
complete format for the date-time group is: yymmdd hhmmss. A date-time group should
always be entered left justified on the input line, like text input. For example, for a time-series
starting at October 20, 1989, 14:55:00 you should specify on the input line:
891020

DR
AF

A.2

145500

The input is subdivided in a number of separate items. For each item the number of required
input lines will be specified. This should provide you with just that extra bit of information
necessary for a complete understanding of the input description.
The input description will be understood more easily if you consult the input example at the
end of this section from time to time.
Below we give a systematic, record for record, explanation of the structure of the input data
file. The input parameters are printed in bold character type, immediately followed by an
explanation of the input. If needed, the limitation of the sub-system with respect to the input
parameters is indicated.
Header lines (1 ≤ number of lines ≤ 20)

It is advised to start the input data file with header lines in which you can include some
relevant information for this prediction run. Relevant information may be the time period of
the observations, the name of the tidal station, the geographical position of the tidal station,
etc. Header lines are recognised by the system by the first character of a record. The first
character of a header line has to be ’+’ or ’∗’.
If the first character of a header line is ’+’, this header line will be copied to the output files. If
the first character of a header line is ’∗’, this header line will not be copied to the output files.
HEADER(1)

···
HEADER(Nheader)

(text)

···
(text)

HEADER(i) is the i-th header line at the start of the input data file (N header ≤ 20) The
maximum information per line is 255 characters.

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Time period for prediction (3 lines)
(fixed)
(fixed)
(text)

TB

is the date-time group of the first observation H(1) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:
yymmdd hhmmss,
left justified on the input line.
is the date-time group of the last observation H(N obs) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:
yymmdd hhmmss,
left justified on the input line.
is the description (text) for the unit of the observations. This text is only used for
generating appropriate header lines in the output files. No internal conversions
will follow. The maximum number of characters is 8. Example: CM WATER.
is the total number of observations to be read from the <∗.obs> file (file with
observations). Reading always start from the first observation on the <∗.obs>
file. Since the observation file also starts with a five-line identification header,
this is the first number on the sixth line of the <∗.obs> file. From the <∗.obs>
file the tidal series H(N obs) will be read.

TE

UNIT

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Nobs

T

TB
TE
UNIT

Names, amplitudes and phases of the component set (Ncomp + 1 lines)
The station dependent amplitudes and phases may come from the Admiralty Tide Tables
(UKHO (annual)), but are often originating from ANALYSIS. In that case it is advised to use
the PREDICT Input Processor.
Ncomp
COMP(1) A(1) G(1)

···

COMP(Ncomp) A(Ncomp) G(Ncomp)
Ncomp

COMP(i)

A(i)

G(i)

(free)
(fixed)

···
(fixed)

is the total number of components that you want to use in the prediction. There
is no restriction on the number: all 234 internally available components may be
used.
represent the names of the selected set of components. All components have
to be chosen from the set of available components in Appendix B. The format
is A8. They must be entered in upper cast (capital letters).
represents the amplitudes for the station. The unit in which the amplitudes
are expressed fixes the unit of the prediction time-series that will be produced.
Format: F10.3.
represents the station’s phases or improved Kappa-numbers. The unit in which
they MUST be entered is degrees. Format: F10.1.

This set may be entered in any order of tidal frequency. It is the convention to provide them in
order of increasing tidal frequency, since this simplifies visual checks.
As stated above, the parameters on this input line are bound to specific column fields.
The name of each component must be entered in the leftmost 8 columns of the record; the
amplitude A in columns 9–18 and the phase G in column field 19–28. Always use a floating
point representation when entering these values; only then it does not matter where you put
the value within the assigned column field.

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Time step in prediction (1 line)
DELT
DELT

is the time step to be applied in the prediction. The unit of the time step is
MINUTES.

Sub-series to be used in prediction (Nsub+1 lines)
Nsub
T1sub(1) A(1) B(1)

(free)
(fixed)

···

···

T1sub(Nsub) A (Nsub) B (Nsub)

(fixed)

is the number of sub-series to be used in the prediction (minimum value: 1). The
prediction series should be split up in more than one sub-series if a prediction
for a long time period is made. This is related to the fact that the componentdependent so-called nodal factors u and F ("constant for the period of prediction"), which are computed by the system, are actually slowly varying with
time. Most of these nodal factors have a cycle period of about 18.61 years.
For prediction periods exceeding two months, you should subdivide the period
in blocks of at maximum two months. The system then computes u and F per
sub-series, which improves the accuracy of the prediction.
T1sub(1) is the date-time group of the first observation of the first sub-series.
A(1)
is the mean level for the first sub-series.
B(1)
(in units per hour) indicates the linear change with time of the first sub-series.
The format of the record is: A6, 2X, A6, F10.3, F10.3.
T1sub(Nsub) is the date-time group of the first observation of the last sub-series.
A (Nsub) is the mean level for the last sub-series.
B (Nsub) (in units per hour) indicates the linear change with time of the last sub-series.
The format of the record is: A6, 2X, A6, F10.3, F10.3

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T

Nsub

The linear trend is defined with respect to the MIDDLE TIME POINT of the period of the
(sub)series. In most cases the linear trend will be zero. When the linear trend is non-zero,
however, and you split up the period to be predicted in a number of sub-series, you should be
aware that this will result in a (linear) change of the mean level per sub-series too!. This
means that you have to adjust the mean levels of the sub-series in your input accordingly, in
order to effect the correct transition from one sub-series to the next.
This looks more difficult than it is. A simple check to see if you have prescribed the correct
mean levels given your linear change, is to make a prediction with all amplitudes equal to
zero. This should result in a monotonously increasing (positive trend) or decreasing (negative
trend) straight line. The presence of jumps at the transition of sub-series, easily detected
from your output file <∗.prp>, requires reconsideration of the mean levels that you applied
in those sub-series. A similar, slightly more complicated situation occurs if the linear trend
information comes from a computation with ANALYSIS, in which more than one instrument
(more than one trend) played a role.
Remark:
 You don’t have to specify the end of the entered sub-series. Each sub-series ends one
time step before the first value of the next sub-series, resulting in a continuous overall
series.
As stated above, the parameters (T1, A ,B ) on these input lines are bound to specific column
fields. Parameter T1sub is a date-time group, so should be entered in the 14 leftmost columns.

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Parameter A should be in column field 15–24 and parameter B in column field 25–34.
Always use a floating point representation when entering values for A and B ; only then it
does not matter where you put the value in the assigned column field.
Remark:
 The PREDICT Input Processor automatically generates sub-series of length 1 month.
Example input file
The Tutorial PREDICT Example 2  file:

DR
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T

+ Deltares
+ p.o. box 177 2600 MH Delft
+ TIDE Analysis and prediction of tides
+ Example 2 from Tutorial PREDICTION
+ PREDICTION HOOK OF HOLLAND , 51 59 NB 04 07 EL
NOV 1999-FEB 2000
* ======================================================================
991101 000000
000229 230000
CM
60
SA
10.350
183.9
MS0
2.410
42.1
2Q1
.524
31.3
Q1
3.988
146.4
O1
9.974
190.4
M1
.455
41.4
P1
3.336
348.3
S1
1.328
285.1
K1
7.666
3.7
3MKS2
.782
325.6
3MS2
1.462
318.0
OQ2
1.489
359.7
MNS2
2.278
186.8
2ML2S2
1.681
355.9
NLK2
1.552
68.0
MU2
7.806
204.8
N2
11.777
57.9
NU2
4.474
55.6
MSK2
.521
271.6
MPS2
1.504
168.8
M2
77.405
85.7
MSP2
1.543
53.1
MKS2
1.735
245.1
LABDA2
2.769
97.6
2MN2
7.105
289.6
T2
1.339
131.5
S2
18.797
144.9
K2
5.273
149.1
MSN2
1.722
355.0
2SM2
2.127
24.3
SKM2
.972
18.7
2MK3
.695
188.4
MK3
.935
291.2
3MS4
1.661
244.6
MN4
6.063
133.8
2MLS4
2.086
317.7
M4
16.503
162.3
2MKS4
1.455
294.2
SN4
.925
249.5
3MN4
1.396
356.2
MS4
10.433
217.9

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A.3

HILOW

212.0
58.4
288.6
210.2
301.7
14.1
226.7
251.0
98.2
100.7
129.8
188.0
173.5
193.7
225.5
259.4
277.9
337.5
37.8

0.
0.
0.
0.

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MK4
2.301
2MSN4
1.502
S4
1.073
3MK5
1.353
2MP5
.808
3MO5
1.625
3MNS6
1.083
4MS6
1.288
2MN6
2.187
2MNU6
.987
M6
4.245
2MS6
3.607
2MK6
1.018
3MN8
1.627
M8
2.270
2MSN8
1.417
3MS8
3.154
2(MS)8
1.300
2(MS)N10
.016
60.
4
991101 000000 4.20
991201 000000 4.20
000101 000000 4.20
000201 000000 4.20

T

Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

Input files for HILOW are generated by either ANALYSIS or PREDICT.

Remark:
 Only if you prepare the input file”by hand”, the remainder of this section is important
At the beginning of the file, header lines are expected. The number of header lines that can
be included in the files is not fixed, but should at least be one and not exceed 20.
Header lines are recognised by the system by the first character of a record, the first character of a header line has to be ’+’ or ’∗’.
The header lines are directly followed by the data. As the data are read free-formatted there
are no conditions with respect to the layout of the data part of the file.
Remark:
 Never use a ’+’ sign to indicate positive values. It is possible that the record containing
this value is identified as a header line. A value without a sign is identified as a positive
value.
The number of observations per line (a line is a record) is free. The unit of the observations
(metre, centimetre, inches) is free. We advise to choose centimetres as the unit for observations, since the number of printed decimal digits for the results is fixed. So, for centimetres
the printed results are actually more accurate. Input data may sometimes be entered in free
format but has at other times to be entered in fixed format. Free format means that it makes
no difference where you put the input on the line, as long as you take into account the order
in which it is supplied. Fixed format means that the input should be placed in certain column
ranges (column fields). Text format means any text, as long as it is left justified on the input
line (start in column 1). Pay attention to the maximum number of characters on input, which
may vary per input.

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Input file formats

In the input file several date-time groups for start and end of time periods have to be entered.
A date-time group consists of a date, followed by the time and separated by two blanks. The
date should be entered in a yymmdd format and the time in a hhmmss format. So, the
complete format for the date-time group is: yymmdd hhmmss. A date-time group should
always be entered left justified on the input line, like text input. For example, for a time-series
starting at October 20, 1989, 14:55:00 you should specify on the input line:
891020

145500

The input is subdivided in a number of separate items. For each item the number of required
input lines will be specified. This should provide you with just that extra bit of information
necessary for a complete understanding of the input description.

T

The input description will be understood more easily if you consult the input example at the
end of this section from time to time.

DR
AF

Below, we give a systematic, record for record, explanation of the structure of the input data
file. The relevant input parameters are printed in bold character type, immediately followed
by an explanation of the input. If needed, the limitation of the sub-system with respect to the
input parameters is indicated.
Header lines (1 ≤ number of lines ≤ 20)
It is advised to start the input data file with header lines in which you can include some
relevant information for this analysis run. Relevant information may be the time period of
the observations, the name of the tidal station, the geographical position of the tidal station,
etc. Header lines are recognised by the system by the first character of a record. The first
character of a header line has to be ’+’ or ’∗’.
If the first character of a header line is ’+’, this header line will be copied to the output files. If
the first character of a header line is ’∗’, this header line will not be copied to the output files.
HEADER(1)

···

HEADER(Nheader)

(text)

···
(text)

HEADER(i) is the i-th header line at the start of the input data file (N header ≤ 20) The
maximum information per line is 255 characters.
Tidal series (4 lines)
Nobs
TB
TE
UNIT

Nobs

TB

Deltares

(free)
(fixed)
(fixed)
(text)

is the total number of observations to be read from the <∗.obs> file (file with
observations). Reading always start from the first observation on the <∗.obs>
file. Since the observation file also starts with a five-line identification header,
this is the first number on the sixth line of the <∗.obs> file. From the <∗.obs>
file the tidal series H(N obs) will be read.
is the date-time group of the first observation H(1) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:

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yymmdd

hhmmss,

left justified on the input line.
is the date-time group of the last observation H(N obs) of the observation timeseries. The date-time should be entered in the format given above:
yymmdd hhmmss,
left justified on the input line.
is the description (text) for the unit of the observations. This text is only used for
generating appropriate header lines in the output files. No internal conversions
will follow. The maximum number of characters is 8. Example: CM WATER.

TE

UNIT

Options (1 line)
INFO(1:5)

(free)

Selection of component set (Ncomp + 1 lines)

T

INFO is an option array with 5 options, used only in ANALYSIS (The explanation of INFO( ) is
not further explained here). You must enter a line with 5 integer numbers here.

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Remarks:
 If this is a new and specially made HILOW -input file, just enter: “1”.
 If this is a new and specially made HILOW -input file, just enter: “M2”. Then proceed to
the line with Ncoupl.
Ncomp
COMP(1)

···

COMP(Ncomp)
Ncomp
COMP(i)

(free)
(text)

···
(text)

is the total number of selected main components. Condition: Ncomp ≤ 234.
represents the name of component i from the selected set of components. The
components should be selected from the list of the 234 internally available tidal
components, see Appendix B.

The name of each component should be entered in upper cast, and be left justified on a new
line, resulting in Ncomp input lines for the set of components.
In principle, this set may be entered in any order of tidal frequency. A good habit, however, is
to provide the components in order of increasing tidal frequency.
Groups of coupled components (1 + Ncoupl lines)

Remark:
 If this is a new and specially made HILOW-input file, just enter: “0”. Then proceed to
the line with Nins.
Ncoupl
Ncoupl

(free)
is the total number of coupled groups in the set of components. In section 8.3.4
you will find under which conditions coupling of components is required. Condition: 0 ≤ Ncoupl ≤ 10. If Ncoupl > 0 a series of input lines follow in order
to prescribe the coupling in detail. If Ncoupl = 0, no coupling will be applied.

The next input line(s) each define one group of coupled components. On an input line the

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name of the main component is supposed to be followed by the names of the sub-components
and the prescribed amplitude and phase relations.
MAIN(1) SUB(1,Nsub(1)) RHO(1,Nsub(1)) PSI(1,Nsub(1))

···
MAIN(Ncoupl) SUB(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl)) RHO(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl))
PSI(Ncoupl,Nsub(Ncoupl)) (one record!)

PSI(i,j)

Nsub(i)

is the name of the main component for group i.
is the name of the sub-component j for group i.
is the estimated amplitude ratio between sub-component j of group i and the
main component of group i. It is the amplitude of sub-component j divided by
that of its main component.
is the phase difference between sub-component j of group i and the main component of group i. It is the estimated astronomical phase of component j minus
that of its main component.
is the total number of sub-components for group i.

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Condition: Nsub(i) ≤ 10 for each coupling group i.

T

MAIN(i)
SUB(i,j)
RHO(i,j)

Each well-defined group of coupled components will fit on one input line!
The items on input lines for coupling are not bound to column fields. The format is completely
free; only the order of the items is important.
Instruments (2Nins + 2 lines)
Nins
N1(1)
N2(1)

···

N1(Nins)
N2(Nins)
Nins

N1(i)
N2(i)

(free)
(free)
(free)

···
(free)
(free)

is the total number of instruments involved in the measurement of the selected
tidal series. Condition: Nins ≤ 10.
is the sequence number of the first observation of instrument i.
is the sequence number of the last observation of instrument i.

These sequence numbers are related to and must correspond to the sequence numbers in
the time-series H(1:Nobs) that forms the basis for the Tide Tables.
T1ins
T2ins

···

···

T1Nins
T2Nins
T1ins
T2ins
T1Nins
T2Nins

(fixed)
(fixed)
is the date-time group of the first observation of instrument 1.
is the date-time group of the last observation of instrument 1.
is the date-time group of the first observation of the last instrument.
is the date-time group of the last observation of the last instrument.

Sub-series (2Nsub + 1 lines)
Nsub

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(fixed)
(fixed)

(free)

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Nsub

is the total number of sub-series in the selected tidal series.
Condition: N sub ≤ 10. The minimum is 1 (one single series; no gaps; one
instrument).

T1sub
T2sub

(fixed)
(fixed)

···

···

T1Nsub
T2Nsub

(fixed)
(fixed)
is the date-time group of the first observation of sub-series 1.
is the date-time group of the last observation of sub-series 1.
is the date-time group of the first observation of the last sub-series.
is the date-time group of the last observation of the last sub-series.

T

T1sub
T2sub
T1Nsub
T2Nsub

In the case that a simple one instrument series without any gaps has to be analysed, these
date-time groups will be equal to TB and TE, respectively.

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Block filter parameters (1 line)
Afilter Nfilter Mfilter

(free)

Afilter, Nfilter and Mfilter above are block filter parameters. The block filter is used to separate tidal and non-tidal extremes in the time-series. These procedures are mainly important
for data from measurements, which may contain instrumentation errors and meteorological
effects.
Afilter

Nfilter

Mfilter

Weight factor for block filter
Range: 0.01 ≤ Afilter ≤ 1.0
Default: 0.2

Measure for the width of the block filter in terms of the number of values
preceding or following. The width of the filter follows from: 2Nfilter + 1
Range: 1 ≤ Nfilter ≤ 6
Default: 2

.

Number of iterations for the block filter.
Range: 1 ≤ Mfilter ≤ 3
Default: 2

We advise to start with the indicated default values for the filter parameters. In almost all
situations these defaults will satisfy, and give only real tidal maxima and minima. If this is
not the case, for instance if meteorological effects have given rise to extra extremes in the
observed time-series that you are considering, rerun the computation with larger values of the
filter parameters.
Example input file
The Tutorial HILOW Example 1  file:
+
+
+
+
+

Deltares
p.o. box 177 2600 MH Delft
TID Analysis and prediction of tides
Example 1 from Tutorial HILOW
HIGH/LOW WATER COMPUTATION

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* ATLANTIS 10 00 N 00 00 EL (dt=30 min)
* ==================================================================
1440
270601 000000
270630 233000
M WATER
0 0 0 0 0
38
SA
SSA
MSM
MM
MS0
KO0
MFM
2Q1
SIGMA1
Q1
RO1
O1
M1
PI1
K1
P1
J1
OO1
O2
MU2
N2
NU2
OP2
M2
L2
S2
K2
NO3
MO3
M3
SO3
MK3
SK3
MN4
M4
MS4
M6
2MS6
0
1
1
1440
270601 000000
270630 233000
1
270601 000000
270630 233000
0.2 2 2

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ASCON
In this section we will discuss the data on the input data file of ASCON. Unless otherwise
stated the input is in free format. Do mind the order of entering the data. Text input should be
always be entered left justified on the input line.
Apart from the identification header, the main input consists of date-time groups. A date-time
group consists of a date, followed by the time and separated by two blanks. The date should
be entered in a yymmdd format and the time in a hhmmss format. So, the complete format
for the date-time group is: yymmdd hhmmss. A date-time group should always be entered
left justified on the input line, like text input. For example, for a time-series starting at October
20, 1989, 14:55:00 you should specify on the input line:
145500

T

891020

The input is subdivided in a number of separate items. For each item the number of required
input lines will be specified, providing you with the information necessary for a complete understanding of the input description.

DR
AF

A.4

Understanding the input description will be easier if read the example at the end of this section
from time to time.
The input parameters are printed in bold character type, immediately followed by an explanation of the input. If needed, the limitation of the sub-system with respect to the input parameters is indicated.
Header lines (1 ≤ number of lines ≤ 20)

It is advised to start the input data file with header lines in which you can include some
relevant information for this analysis run. Relevant information may be the time period of
the observations, the name of the tidal station, the geographical position of the tidal station,
etc. Header lines are recognised by the system by the first character of a record. The first
character of a header line has to be ’+’ or ’∗’.
If the first character of a header line is ’+’, this header line will be copied to the output files. If
the first character of a header line is ’∗’, this header line will not be copied to the output files.
HEADER(1)

···

HEADER(Nheader)

(text)

···
(text)

HEADER(i) is the i-th header line at the start of the input data file (N header ≤ 20). The
maximum information per line is 255 characters.
Date time groups for V0 + U and F (var.)
TI

(fixed)
TI

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represents the date-time group (yymmdd hhmmss) for which the astronomical arguments V0 + u and F will be computed. You can specify as many datetime groups as you like, However one date-time group per input line, Format:
I6,2X,I6.

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Input file formats

Selection of component set (Ncomp lines)
COMP(1)

(text)

···

···

COMP(Ncomp)
COMP(i)

(text)

represents the name of component i from the selected set of components. The
components should be selected from the list of available tidal components in
Appendix B.

The name of each component should be entered in upper cast and left justified on a new line,
resulting in Ncomp input lines for the set of components.

Example input file
The Tutorial ASCON Example 1  file:

T

This set of components MUST be entered in order of increasing frequency.

DR
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+ Deltares
+ p.o. box 177 2600 MH Delft
+ TIDE Analysis and prediction of tides
+ Example 1 from Tutorial ASCON
+ ASTRONIMICAL ARGUMENTS Centre point Bermuda Triangle
+ FOR 01/01/1999,01/01/2000 AND 01/01/2001
* =====================================================================
990101 000000
000101 000000
010101 000000
2Q1
Q1
O1
M1
K1
P1
J1
OO1
3MS2
MNS2
MU2
N2
NU2
M2
L2
S2
K2
MSN2
2SM2
MO3
M3
2MNS4
MN4
M4
SN4
MS4
3SM4
3MO5
M6

A.5

FOURIER
No specific file formats needed.

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B List of tidal components (internal component base)
The set of components can be divided in primary components, which appear in the equilibrium tide (No land masses; only one deep ocean), and compound components. The latter are
linear combinations of primary components. The names and frequencies of all 234 internally
available components of TIDE are given below. For the primary components the relative magnitude in the equilibrium tide is given as well. For the selection of components in an analysis
input file, relative importance in neighbouring stations is often a guideline. For North Sea
circumstances, the set of 60 constituents given in the example just preceding section A.3 is a
good choice. For components that may appear as sub-components in astronomical coupling
in case of short series, the equilibrium amplitude relation with their main component is given
as well. The equilibrium phase relation is equal to zero.

T

Remark:
 In case astronomical coupling is necessary, you should always first try to use amplitude
and phase relations based on a long period analysis of a neighbouring station. Only if
such information is not available, you may resort to the equilibrium tide relations given
below.
Angular
Frequency
(degr/hour)

Amplitude in
equilibrium tide

SA
SSA
MSM
MM
MSF
MS0
MF
KO0
MK0
SNU
SN
MSTM
MFM
2SM
MSQM
MQM
2SMN
2OK1
2Q1
NJ1
SIGMA1
MUK1
NUJ1
Q1
NK1
RO1
NUK1
O1
TAU1
MP1
M1B
M1C

0.0410686
0.0821373
0.4715211
0.5443747
1.0158958
1.0158958
1.0980331
1.0980331
1.0980331
1.4874169
1.5602705
1.5695542
1.6424078
2.0317916
2.1139289
2.1867825
2.5761663
12.8450025
12.8542862
12.8542862
12.9271398
12.9271398
12.9271398
13.3986609
13.3986609
13.4715145
13.4715145
13.9430356
14.0251728
14.0251728
14.4874103
14.4920521

0.01156
0.07281
0.01579
0.08254
0.01369

DR
AF

Component
Name

Deltares

Amplitude
coupling relation

0.15647

0.00569
0.02996
0.00478
0.00396

0.00955

0.025 × O1

0.01152

0.07343

0.191 × O1

0.01395

0.036 × O1

0.38358
0.00504
0.01065

0.350 × M1A

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Amplitude in
equilibrium tide

Amplitude
coupling relation

0.02964
0.03150

0.082 × O1

0.00580
0.01028
0.17543

0.328 × K1

0.00416
0.53496

0.00109
0.00755

DR
AF

M1A
M1
NO1
CHI1
LP1
PI1
TK1
P1
SK1
S1
K1
MO1
SP1
PSI1
RP1
FI1
KP1
THETA1
LABDAO1
J1
MQ1
2PO1
SO1
OO1
2KO1
UPSILON1
KQ1
2MN2S2
3MKS2
2NS2
3MS2
OQ2
MNK2
EPSILON2
MNS2
2ML2S2
MNUS2
MNK2S2
2MS2K2
O2
NLK2
2MK2
2N2
MU2
2MS2
SNK2
NA2
N2
KQ2
NB2
NU2

Angular
Frequency
(degr/hour)
14.4966939
14.4966939
14.4966939
14.5695476
14.5695476
14.9178647
14.9178647
14.9589314
14.9589314
15.0000000
15.0410686
15.0410686
15.0410686
15.0821353
15.0821353
15.1232059
15.1232059
15.5125897
15.5125897
15.5854433
15.5854433
15.9748272
16.0569644
16.1391017
16.1391017
16.6834764
16.6834764
26.4079379
26.8701753
26.8794590
26.9523126
27.3416964
27.3416964
27.4238337
27.4238337
27.4966873
27.4966873
27.5059710
27.8039339
27.8860711
27.8860711
27.8860711
27.8953548
27.9682084
27.9682084
28.3575922
28.3986628
28.4397295
28.4397295
28.4807962
28.5125831

T

Component
Name

80 of 100

0.00578
0.03022

0.079 × O1

0.01939

0.051 × O1

0.00372

0.00671

0.02303
0.02776

0.132 × N2
0.031 × M2

0.17398

0.191 × M2

0.03304

0.194 × N2

Deltares

List of tidal components (internal component base)

Amplitude in
equilibrium tide

Deltares

Amplitude
coupling relation

0.00273
0.00313

0.90872

0.00466

0.005 × M2

0.02663
0.02569
0.00704

0.029 × M2

0.02476
0.42248

0.059 × S2

0.00366
0.12004

0.009 × S2
0.284 × S2

DR
AF

3MSN2
2KN2S2
OP2
MSK2
GAMMA2
ALFA2
MPS2
MA2
M2
KO2
MSP2
MB2
DELTA2
MKS2
M2(KS)2
2SN(MK)2
LABDA2
SNM2
2MN2
L2
L2A
L2B
2SK2
T2
S2
KP2
R2
K2
MSNU2
MSN2
ZETA2
ETA2
KJ2
MKN2
2KM(SN)2
2SM2
SKM2
2MS2N2
2SNU2
2SN2
SKN2
MQ3
NO3
MO3
2MK3
2MP3
M3
NK3
SO3
MP3
MK3

Angular
Frequency
(degr/hour)
28.6040041
28.6040041
28.9019669
28.9019669
28.9112506
28.9430356
28.9430356
28.9430356
28.9841042
28.9841042
29.0251728
29.0251728
29.0662415
29.0662415
29.1483788
29.3734880
29.4556253
29.4556253
29.5284789
29.5284789
29.5284789
29.5377626
29.9178627
29.9589333
30.0000000
30.0000000
30.0410667
30.0821373
30.4715211
30.5443747
30.5536584
30.6265120
30.6265120
30.6265120
30.7086493
31.0158958
31.0980331
31.0887494
31.4874169
31.5602705
31.6424078
42.3827651
42.3827651
42.9271398
42.9271398
43.0092771
43.4761563
43.4807981
43.9430356
43.9430356
44.0251728

T

Component
Name

0.274 × L2A

0.00134
0.00702

0.01780

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Amplitude in
equilibrium tide

Amplitude
coupling relation

DR
AF

SP3
2MQ3
SK3
2SO3
K3
4MS4
2MNS4
3MK4
MNLK4
3MS4
MSNK4
MN4
MNU4
2MLS4
2MSK4
M4
2MKS4
SN4
3MN4
2SMK4
MS4
MK4
2SNM4
2MSN4
SL4
S4
SK4
2SMN4
3SM4
2SKM4
MNO5
3MK5
3MP5
M5
MNK5
2MP5
MSO5
3MO5
MSK5
3KM5
2(MN)S6
3MNS6
4MK6
2NM6
4MS6
2MSNK6
2MN6
2MNU6
3MSK6
M6
MSN6

Angular
Frequency
(degr/hour)
44.9589314
44.5695476
45.0410686
46.0569644
45.1232059
55.9364168
56.4079379
56.8701753
56.8701753
56.9523126
57.3416964
57.4238337
57.4966873
57.4966873
57.8860711
57.9682084
58.0503457
58.4397295
58.5125831
58.9019669
58.9841042
59.0662415
59.4556253
59.5284789
59.5284789
60.0000000
60.0821373
60.5443747
61.0158958
61.0980331
71.3668693
71.9112440
71.9933813
72.4649024
72.4649024
72.9271398
72.9271398
73.0092771
74.0251728
74.1073101
84.8476674
85.3920421
85.8542796
85.8635632
85.9364168
86.3258006
86.4079379
86.4807915
86.8701753
86.9523126
87.4238337

T

Component
Name

82 of 100

Deltares

List of tidal components (internal component base)

Amplitude in
equilibrium tide

Amplitude
coupling relation

DR
AF

MNK6
4MN6
MKNU6
2(MS)K6
2MS6
2MK6
2SN6
3MSN6
MKL6
2SM6
MSK6
S6
2MNO7
2NMK7
M7
2MSO7
MSKO7
2(MN)8
3MN8
3MNKS8
M8
2MSN8
2MNK8
3MS8
3MK8
2SNM8
MSNK8
2(MS)8
2MSK8
3SM8
2SMK8
S8
2(MN)K9
3MNK9
4MK9
3MSK9
4MN10
M10
3MSN10
4MS10
2(MS)N10
2MNSK10
3M2S10
4MSK11
M12
4MSN12
5MS12
3MNKS12
4M2S12

Angular
Frequency
(degr/hour)
87.5059710
87.4966873
87.5788246
87.8860711
87.9682084
88.0503457
88.4397295
88.5125831
88.5947204
88.9841042
89.0662415
90.0000000
100.3509735
100.9046319
101.4490066
101.9112440
103.0092771
114.8476674
115.3920421
115.4741794
115.9364168
116.4079379
116.4900752
116.9523126
117.0344499
117.4238337
117.5059710
117.9682084
118.0503457
118.9841042
119.0662415
120.0000000
129.8887361
130.4331108
130.9774855
131.9933813
144.3761463
144.9205210
145.3920421
145.9364168
146.4079379
146.4900752
146.9523126
160.9774855
173.9046253
174.3761463
174.9205210
175.4741794
175.9364168

T

Component
Name

Deltares

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AF

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Deltares

C Filename conventions
When you execute the TIDE software you will be prompted for the names of data files to be
selected from file lists in menu boxes.
For TIDE the following (compulsory) extensions are defined:
C.1

ANALYSIS
Input files:

Output files:

C.2

for the print file with report and error messages of ANALYSIS
for the file with the tidal constants
for the file with the time-series of the hindcast
for the file with the time-series of residuals
for the file with the plot data of ANALYSIS

DR
AF

<∗.pra>
<∗.cmp>
<∗.hdc>
<∗.res>
<∗.tka>

T

<∗.ina> for an input file of ANALYSIS
<∗.obs> for the file with the time-series of observations

PREDICT-GUI
Input:

 Manual input
Input files:

<∗.ina> File according the analysis input file
<∗.cmp> Result file with components from the sub-system ANALYSIS
Output file:

<∗.inp> File suitable as input file for subsystem PREDICT
C.3

PREDICT

Input file:

<∗.inp> for an input file of PREDICT
Output files:

<∗.prp> for the print file with report and error messages of PREDICT
<∗.prd> for the file with the predicted time-series
<∗.tkp> for the file with the plot data of PREDICT

Deltares

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C.4

HILOW-GUI
Input:

 Manual input
Input file:

<∗.ina/inp> File according the ANALYSIS/PREDICT input file
Output file:

<∗.inh> File suitable as input file for subsystem HILOW
HILOW
Input file:

<∗.inh> for an input file of HILOW

DR
AF

Output files:

T

C.5

<∗.prh> for the print file
<∗.hlw> for the file with tide tables
C.6

ASCON

Input file:

<∗.inc>

for an input file of ASCON

Output file:

<∗.prc> for the output file of ASCON
C.7

FOURIER

Standard Fourier Transform
Input:

 Manual input
Input file:

<∗.res> Time-series result file from ANALYSIS
-

Manual input

Output file:

<∗.prf>
<∗.tkf>

86 of 100

for the print file of Standard Fourier Transform
for file with plot data of Standard Fourier Transform

Deltares

Filename conventions

Fast Fourier Transform
Input:

 Manual input
Input file:

<∗.res> Time-series result file from ANALYSIS
Output file:
for the print file of Fast Fourier Transform
for file with plot data of Fast Fourier Transform

DR
AF

T

<∗.prt>
<∗.tkt>

Deltares

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AF

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Deltares

D Messages from Delft3D-TIDE
Error messages, warnings and/or Informative messages are given for all the 5 subsystems
e.g. ANALYSIS, PREDICT, HILOW, ASCON and FOURIER.
D.1

ANALYSIS
In the ANALYSIS messages on fatal errors and warnings are automatically generated. Both
result from a thorough overall screening of the individual input parameters. Finally the consistency of the whole input set is checked.

T

If fatal errors have been found the program will abort after printing all the error messages on
the print file <∗.pra>. Therefore, if any errors have occurred, check the Input Interpretation
Report thoroughly.

D.1.1

DR
AF

In case of warnings the program will continue normally with the computation. The warnings
are often not that serious that they will abort the computational process. On the other hand,
they deserve your attention because something may be wrong. This holds especially for the
warnings regarding the time interval of the data and those on the violation of the Rayleigh
criterion. Warnings are also added to the print file <∗.pra>. In the editor you can easily
search for the keywords ERROR and WARNING in order to find all error messages respectively warnings.
Error messages

A list of all error messages is given below. Only the first line of the error message on your
print file is printed here. The error messages in the Input Interpretation Report on the PRA-file
contain much more information. The explanations should guide you in the interpretation of the
error. The remedies give hints and advice on how to remove the error.
ERROR 1
Explanation:
Remedy:

INCORRECT TIMESPEC FOR TIDAL SERIES
The end of the tidal series H(1:Nobs) precedes the start of the series.
Verify the input; ensure that the start time precedes the end time.

ERROR 2
Explanation:
Remedy:

NUMBER OF MAIN COMPONENTS TOO LARGE
The actual number of main components exceeds 234.
Reduce the number of main components to less than or equal to the
maximum available 234 components.

ERROR 3
Explanation:

TOO MANY GROUPS IN COUPLED COMPONENTS
The actual number of coupled groups of components should not exceed 10.
Reduce the number of groups to less than or equal to 10 by leaving
out the ones you consider less important.

Remedy:

ERROR 4
Explanation:
Remedy:

Deltares

MAIN COMPONENT IN COUPLED GROUP INCORRECT
The indicated group contains a main component that is not present
in the group of selected main components (Ncomp).
Verify the name of the selected main component.

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Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

Explanation:
Remedy:

ERROR 6
Explanation:
Remedy:

ERROR 7
Explanation:
Remedy:

NUMBER OF COUPLED COMPONENTS PER GROUP TOO
LARGE
The indicated group contains more than 10 sub-components.
Reduce the number of sub-components to less than or equal to 10
by leaving less important ones out of the computation.
COUPLED GROUP CONTAINS ILLEGAL SUB-COMPONENT
The indicated group contains a sub-component that is not present in
the list of tidal constituents.
Verify the names of the sub-components that you want to be included
in this group.
OVERLAP IN COUPLED GROUP OF COMPONENTS
One or more sub-components are included in more than one group.
This results in a non-unique and therefore illegal situation.
Redefine the indicated groups.

T

ERROR 5

NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTS TOO LARGE
Actual number of instruments (Nins) exceeds 10.
If possible, reduce the number of instruments to less than or equal to
10, for example by shortening the observation length.

ERROR 9
Explanation:
Remedy:

NUMBER OF SUBSERIES TOO LARGE
Actual number of sub-series (Nsub) exceeds 10.
See the remedy for Error 9.

ERROR 10-13

INACTIVE ERROR MESSAGES.

ERROR 14
Explanation:
Remedy:

MISSING INPUT LINE FOR BLOCK FILTER PARAMETERS
Although the filter parameters are not used, the system expects this
input line.
Add this input line. See section A.1.

ERROR 15
Explanation:
Remedy:

INPUT TIMESPECS FOR FIRST SUB-SERIES INCORRECT
First sub-series lies before start of tidal series (TB)
Verify and adjust date-time for first sub-series.

ERROR 16
Explanation:
Remedy:

INPUT TIMESPECS FOR LAST SUBSERIES INCORRECT
Last sub-series lies after end of tidal series (TE)
Verify and adjust date-time for last sub-series.

ERROR 17
Explanation:

INPUT TIMESPECS FOR SUB-SERIES INCORRECT
The subsequent time levels (start and end time) for the instruments
are not monotonously increasing; some sub-series may be partly
overlapping or ill-placed.
Verify and adjust date-time for sub-series.

DR
AF

ERROR 8
Explanation:
Remedy:

Remedy:

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Deltares

Messages from Delft3D-TIDE

Remedy:

ERROR 19
Explanation:
Remedy:

COMPONENTS WITH SAME FREQUENCY
The two indicated components in your selected set have same tidal
frequency. That is not permitted.
Remove one of the indicated components.
INPUT AND DATA SET ARE INCONSISTENT W.R.T. SUB-SERIES
In the input file you have specified date-time groups for beginning
and end of the sub-series. These time specifications should agree
with the actual sub-series as present on your <∗.obs> file. In case
of inconsistent specification parts of the gaps (periods between subseries) may become involved in the harmonic analysis.
To enable the sub-system to check for this situation we advise to
fill the gaps with unrealistic large numbers (say, 99999 or actually
any number > 1000). During the computation the sub-series will be
checked for these unrealistic numbers. Presence of these numbers
indicates that parts of gaps are involved in the sub-series, resulting
in the error message above.
Check the Input Interpretation Report on your <∗.pri> file.
Make the time specifications for the sub-series on your input file consistent with the <∗.obs> file.
Note: if the values of the real observations exceed 1000, e.g. when
they are given in e.g. millimetres, or have a very high mean, we suggest an overall offset for the observations to realise values below
1000. Of course, the mean level and the hindcast should afterwards
be adjusted for the applied correction.

DR
AF

ERROR 20
Explanation:

SELECTED COMPONENT NOT ALLOWED
The indicated component does not belong to the internal component
base listed in Appendix B. The component may be misspelled. Note
that the names of components must be given in upper cast (capital
letters).
Correct the spelling. Compare the frequency of the component with
the list of names and frequencies in Appendix B, or remove this component from the set.

T

ERROR 18
Explanation:

Remedy:

ERROR 21
Explanation:

Remedy:

Deltares

READ-ERROR ON OBS FILE
While reading the <∗.obs> file a read error occurred. Normally this
means that the system tries to read numbers and find characters on
the file. <∗.obs> files start with at least 1, and at most 20 header
lines, to identify the file.
Remember that you should start header lines with a ’+’ or a ’∗’. If
more than 20 header lines have been inserted, the situation above
will occur.
Check the (number of) header lines at the start of the <∗.obs> file.
Check the Input Interpretation Report.

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Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

ERROR 22
Explanation:

Remedy:

DYNAMIC MEMORY ALLOCATION EXCEEDED
In the system all data are allocated dynamically in a large dynamic
memory, resulting in optimal use of available memory. In Section
5.5 the limitations of the system were discussed. These summarised
limits should be read as individual limits, however, that is, a limit for
the number of components, a limit for the number of sub-series, etc.
All these individual limits are checked in the software. There is also
an overall memory limit, called the dynamic memory limit. This limit
corresponds to an overall maximum of 200 000 memory words.
Adjust the input parameters of section A.1 where possible and feasible, in order to reduce the dynamic memory required. First candidates for reduction are Nobs, Ncomp, Nsub and Nins.

DR
AF

T

ERROR 23
Explanation:

END OF FILE ON OBS FILE
While reading the <∗.obs> file the system concluded that the prescribed number of data on the input file (Nobs) was not available on
the <∗.obs> file. Normally this means that the value for Nobs is
incorrect; you may also have "lost" the last part of your observation
file.
Verify and ensure that at least 1 header line is present on the
<∗.obs> file. Adjust the value for Nobs in the input file INA if this
does not correspond to the number of observations present on the
<∗.obs> file.

Remedy:

D.1.2

Warnings

Below two (non-fatal) warnings are discussed. Read the explanation carefully. Remember
that the software proceeds normally with the computation after detecting warnings.
WARNING 1
Explanation:

Remedy:

92 of 100

RAYLEIGH CRITERION VIOLATED
The two indicated components are too close in frequency.
The Rayleigh criterion states that for independent resolution of all
components the minimum frequency difference (expressed in degrees per hour) for neighbouring tidal components should be 360/T ,
where T (in hours) is the effective length of the analysis period, see
section 8.3.3. The effective length T equals the difference between
the start date-time of the first sub-series and the end date-time of the
last sub-series.
This criterion does not always have to be applied so rigorously. Given
the nature of the least squares solution technique, a 10 % violation
of the criterion will generally not invalidate the results. See also the
chapter on theory chapter 8.
If the violation is large, consider coupling of the two components involved (if astronomically related), or removal of the less important
one of the two.

Deltares

Messages from Delft3D-TIDE

Remedy:

PREDICT

DR
AF

D.2

TIME STEP MAY BE INCORRECT
From the input specifications for each instrument the time step (measurement interval) will be reconstructed. For you, the correct specification of sequence numbers and corresponding time specifications
for the instruments is always a rather error-prone affair. Fortunately,
the software provides a check to see whether the computed time
step satisfies one of the time steps commonly used in tidal analysis.
These are time steps of 10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. In the output this
appears as ∆t = 0.1666, 0.2500, 0.5000 or 1.0000 hours. If one of
the computed time steps is not exactly equal to one of these built-in
time steps a warning will be printed. Due to limited accuracy of computers it is possible that the fourth decimal differs from these built-in
time steps. In that case, the warning should be ignored.
Convince yourself whether the warning is caused by incorrect input
specification of date-time groups, or whether the clock of the recording instrument has been off. In the latter case, the time step is correct
(the system can correct for this instrument error!). In the first case,
correct the input.

T

WARNING 2
Explanation:

In PREDICT six error messages are implemented, and no warnings. After a complete screening of the input data the system will abort if any errors are detected. A list of the detected
errors is added to the print file <∗.prp>.
ERROR 1
Explanation

Remedy

ERROR 2
Explanation
Remedy

END TIME < BEGIN TIME
This error arises when the input specification indicates that the datetime group (TB) of the start of the prediction is later in time then the
date-time group (TE) for the end.
Verify and adjust the date-time groups.
NUMBER OF COMPONENTS SHOULD BE BETWEEN 1 AND 234
The number of components (Ncomp) exceeds the maximum available number of components in the internal component base (=234).
Select any number of components in the range 1–234. Note that
the names of the components must be spelled conform the list in
Appendix B.

ERROR 3
Explanation
Remedy

NUMBER OF SUBSERIES SHOULD BE BETWEEN 1 AND 100.
You chose a number of sub-series (Nsub) not between 1 and 100.
Reduce the number of sub-series. If necessary, define sub-series
longer than two months (some loss of accuracy), or make several
computation runs.

ERROR 4
Explanation

TIME LEVEL FOR SUBSERIES OUT OF RANGE
The date-time for the start of one of the sub-series (T1sub) is outside
the time range TB – TE for the prediction.
Verify your input and ensure that the start times of the sub-series lie
within the time range TB – TE of the prediction.

Remedy

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ERROR 5
Explanation
Remedy
ERROR 6
Explanation

D.3

COMPONENT xx NOT IN INTERNAL COMPONENT BASE.
The system does not recognise the component. Maybe the name
of the component is misspelled. Names should be entered in upper
cast.
Check the spelling of the component by comparing with Appendix B.
If necessary, replace it by the component from the database that has
the same or comparable frequency.

T

Remedy

START OF SUBSERIES SHOULD BE ON A FULL HOUR OR A
MULTIPLE OF THE TIME STEP AFTER A FULL HOUR.
Each sub-series is supposed to start on a full hour or any number of
integer time steps after a full hour.
Adjust the date-time for the start of the concerned sub-series.

HILOW

D.3.1

DR
AF

In this section the list of possible error messages of HILOW is given. All error messages will
cause the sub-system to abort. Again, only error messages related to relevant input will be
listed.
Error messages
ERROR 1

Explanation
Remedy

NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS EQUALS ./ SHOULD BE LESS
THAN 18000.
The number of values (Nobs) that you specified in the input file exceeds 18 000.
Restrict the number of observations in HILOW, either by shortening
the series, or dropping every other half hourly value if applicable.
Hourly values suffice in the determination of tide tables. Note that a
full year of half-hourly values corresponds to Nobs = 17 520 (17 568
for a leap year).

ERROR 2
Explanation
Remedy

TOO MANY INSTRUMENTS
Actual number of instruments (Nins) exceeds 10.
If possible, reduce the number of instruments to less than or equal to
10, for example by shortening the observation length.

ERROR 3
Explanation
Remedy

TOO MANY SUBSERIES
Actual number of sub-series (Nsub) exceeds 10.
See the remedy for Error 2.

ERROR 4
Explanation
Remedy

NO FILTER PARAMETERS PROVIDED
The input line for the 3 filter parameters is missing.
Add the input line for the filter parameters, see section A.3.

ERROR 5
Explanation

FILTER PARAMETERS INCORRECT
While reading the filter parameters, the system detected a read error.
In this situation the most likely explanation is that you did not enter
integer numbers for Mfilter and Nfilter.
Choose integer values for filter parameter Mfilter and Nfilter.

Remedy

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Messages from Delft3D-TIDE

D.3.2

Info messages
The sub-system may generate some informative messages for the block filter.
MESSAGE 1

BLOCK FILTER PAR. 1 OUT OF RANGE (RESET ON DEFAULT=0.2).

MESSAGE 2

BLOCK FILTER PAR. 2 OUT OF RANGE (RESET ON DEFAULT=2).

MESSAGE 3

BLOCK FILTER PAR. 3 OUT OF RANGE (RESET ON DEFAULT=2).

D.4

ASCON

DR
AF

ASCON contains three error messages.

T

Parameters 1, 2, and 3 refer to Afilter, Mfilter and Nfilter, resp. If the default does not satisfy,
verify their ranges, see the example input file in item A.3.

ERROR 1
Explanation
Remedy

ALL TIME-DATES INCORRECT
Date-time groups in input were specified incorrectly or not present at
all.
Adjust or add date-time group(s) for computing the V0 + u and F .

ERROR 2
Explanation
Remedy

ALL SUPPLIED COMPONENTS INCORRECT.
Components missing or misspelled.
Adjust or add components, see Appendix B.

ERROR 3
Explanation

COMPONENT xx NOT IN INTERNAL COMPONENT BASE.
The system does not recognise the component. Maybe the name
of the component is misspelled. Names should be entered in upper
cast.
Check the spelling of the component. If necessary, replace it by the
component from the database that has the same or comparable frequency.

Remedy

Remark:
 The constituent names must be entered in order of increasing frequency.
.
D.5

FOURIER
No errors or warnings are listed.

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Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

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E Content of the TIDE tutorial cases
A list of the input files of the tutorial cases is given below.
E.1

ANALYSIS
For sub-system ANALYSIS in directory 

 

 sub-directory  with files:







DR
AF

 

 sub-directory  with files:

T

 

 sub-directory  with files:

 

 sub-directory  with files:

E.2




PREDICT

For sub-system PREDICT in directory 



 sub-directory  with file:




 sub-directory  with file:

HILOW

For sub-system HILOW in directory 

 

 sub-directory  with files:



 

 sub-directory  with files:



 sub-directory  with files:
 

E.3






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Delft3D-TIDE, User Manual

E.4

ASCON
For sub-system ASCON in directory 



 sub-directory  with file:




 sub-directory  with file:

FOURIER
For sub-system FOURIER in directory 





 sub-directory  with file:


DR
AF

 sub-directory  with file:

T



 sub-directory  with file:



E.5





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DR
AF
T

T
DR
AF
PO Box 177
2600 MH Delft
Rotterdamseweg 185
2629 HD Delft
The Netherlands

+31 (0)88 335 81 88
sales@deltaressystems.nl
www.deltaressystems.nl



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