Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4246
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4246
09 Oct 2025
 | 09 Oct 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geoscientific Model Development (GMD).

High-performance coupled surface-subsurface flow simulation with SERGHEI-SWE-RE

Na Zheng, Zhi Li, Gregor Rickert, Mario Morales-Hernández, Ilhan Özgen-Xian, and Daniel Caviedes-Voullième

Abstract. This work presents SERGHEI-SWE-RE, a performance-portable, parallel model that couples a fully dynamic two-dimensional Shallow Water Equation (SWE) solver with a three-dimensional Richards Equation (RE) solver within the Kokkos framework to simulate surface–subsurface flow exchange. The model features a modular architecture with sequential coupling strategy, supporting both synchronous and asynchronous executions of surface and subsurface modules. The SERGHEI-SWE-RE model is validated against five benchmark problems incorporating stationary and fluctuating free-surface tests, a tilted v-catchment, a lateral-flow slope without ponding, and a heterogeneous superslab. The results demonstrate good agreement with established models. Asynchronous coupling reduces wall-clock time by up to about 60 % in the superslab case while preserving simulation accuracy. Strong and weak scaling tests on multiple Intel Xeon CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs reveal robust portability, with near-ideal RE scaling and less-satisfactory SWE scaling at high GPU counts, suggesting future improvements on differentiated meshes or more advanced domain decomposition strategies. Overall, the results presented establish SERGHEI-SWE-RE as an efficient, flexible and scalable model for integrated surface-subsurface flow simulations.

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Na Zheng, Zhi Li, Gregor Rickert, Mario Morales-Hernández, Ilhan Özgen-Xian, and Daniel Caviedes-Voullième

Status: open (until 04 Dec 2025)

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Na Zheng, Zhi Li, Gregor Rickert, Mario Morales-Hernández, Ilhan Özgen-Xian, and Daniel Caviedes-Voullième
Na Zheng, Zhi Li, Gregor Rickert, Mario Morales-Hernández, Ilhan Özgen-Xian, and Daniel Caviedes-Voullième
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Latest update: 09 Oct 2025
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Short summary
This study introduces a computer model that simulates water flow both on the land surface and underground, and their interaction. The model can run efficiently on many kinds of computers, and its design lets each part update at its own pace to save time. In the tests performed, the model's results matched those from well-known tools in the field. Overall, the model offers a fast, flexible, and scalable way to study combined surface and groundwater behavior.
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