Estimation of Scour Downstream of a Ski-Jump Bucket Using Support Vector and M5 Model Tree

Estimation of scour downstream of a ski-jump bucket has been a topic of research among hydraulic engineers. For estimation of scour downstream of ski jump bucket, several empirical models are in use. In recent years, there has been emphasis to develop models which are capable of producing scour with high accuracy. Use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach to model depth, width and length of scour hole indicates that performance of ANN models is far better than existing empirical models. At present, use of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and M5 Pruned Model Tree are being considered in different disciplines to further improve upon the performance of ANN models as a potential alternate. With this in view, the present study deals with the development of regression models for computing various parameters of scour hole using SVMs and M5 Model Tree. A comparative evaluation of the performance of ANN versus SVMs and M5 Model Tree clearly shows that SVMs and M5 Model Tree can prove more useful than ANN models in estimation of scour downstream of a ski jump bucket. Further, M5 model tree offers explicit expressions for use by design engineers.