Prediction of longitudinal dispersion coefficient using multivariate adaptive regression splines

In this paper, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) was developed as a novel soft-computing technique for predicting longitudinal dispersion coefficient (D_L) in rivers. As mentioned in the literature, experimental dataset related to D_L was collected and used for preparing MARS model. Results of MARS model were compared with multi-layer neural network model and empirical formulas. To define the most effective parameters on D_L, the Gamma test was used. Performance of MARS model was assessed by calculation of standard error indices. Error indices showed that MARS model has suitable performance and is more accurate compared to multi-layer neural network model and empirical formulas. Results of the Gamma test and MARS model showed that flow depth (H) and ratio of the mean velocity to shear velocity (u/u^?) were the most effective parameters on the D_L.