Application of multivariable control theory to hydraulic models

Civil engineers have used scale models of rivers and estuaries for many years. The control of models with two interacting tide generators is particularly difficult, and has previously been implemented on a purely intuitive basis. This paper describes work carried out to identify accurately and control a model of the River Mersey. Multivariable theory was used to design the precompensating controller, which in use resulted in considerable improvements to the model performance.