An Error vs. Simulation plot is generally used with constant simulations and measurement types, although it may be used in transient simulations. This plot can display the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error between successive solutions and a set of observed data. Various simulations would be run after changing model parameters, such as material roughness values and/or eddy viscosities. The plot will show trends in the solution to see if model parameter changes are causing better calibration with measured field data. Error vs. Simulation plots are created in the Plot Options dialog by setting the Plot Type to Error vs. Simulation. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
After the plot type is set in the Plot Options dialog, the Options button is clicked to open the Error vs. Simulation Plot Options dialog. This dialog contains the following:
Computed. This lists all available solutions and all data sets in each solution. Since each run is a separate solution, only one data set should be turned on per solution. To turn on or off a data set, double-click it in the window.
Move Up/Move Down. SMS initially shows the solutions in the order they were opened. However, this is not necessarily the order in which they were run. To change the order, highlight a solution (not a data set in a solution) and move it up or down to rearrange their order. If you have a data set highlighted, then these buttons become unavailable.
Observed. This lists all available measurement types that were set up in the Observation Coverage Options dialog, both constant and transient. This plot is generally performed using constant solutions and measurement types, although transient data is allowed. You should highlight the measurement type that you are comparing.
Check Box Options. There are four options that can be turned on or off. The first three determine whether the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error plots should be shown. Because these values are an average of all observation points, their line and symbol styles are not linked to any one observation point, but can be defined by clicking on the appropriate canvas window in the dialog. The fourth check box determines whether a legend should be shown for the curve symbols.