Training

Tutorial PEST Courses

A Tutorial

Download a comprehensive tutorial that shows you how to use PEST to undertake state-of-the-art model parameter and predictive uncertainty analysis. Two complete worked examples are provided, one involving a surface water model (HSPF) and the other involving a groundwater model (MODFLOW). Also provided is the background theory (explained in an easy-to-read manner) and suggestions on how modern methods of data processing and uncertainty analysis such as are provided by PEST can be used as critical components of the environmental decision-making process.

Topics covered include the following:

• Monte-Carlo analysis;
• Linear parameter and predictive uncertainty analysis;
• Predictive error and predictive uncertainty;
• Parameter contributions to pre- and post-calibration predictive uncertainty;
• Assessment of data worth through its ability to reduce predictive uncertainty;
• Uncertainty analysis for over-determined and under-determined systems;
• Null space and solution space components of parameter and predictive uncertainty;
• Nonlinear predictive calibration-constrained maximization/minimization;
• Assessment of parameter identifiability;
• Null space Monte Carlo analysis;
• Scientific hypothesis-testing using models;
• Using Pareto methods to calculate predictive confidence intervals.

Many thanks to the South Florida Water Management District for making development of this tutorial possible.

PEST Courses

Two to three professional PEST courses are normally held each year.

A PEST course will be held in Bethesda, MD in the week beginning 24th Septemberl, 2012. This will be a double header, with a two-day introductory course followed by a two-day advanced course.

A PEST/Groundwater Vistas/MODFLOW-USG course will be held in Brisbane, Australia over the week beginning 16th July 2012. This will also be a double header, with the PEST and MODFLOW-USG course components taken individually or together, according to each attendee's choice.

A course on highly parameterized inversion and uncertainty analysis will be offered to PhD students following the Nordic Water conference in August 2012 in Oulu, Finland.

A five day PEST course will be held in Berlin, Germany just prior to the FEFLOW conference over the week beginning 27th August, 2012.

We are thinking of holding a two to three day introductory PEST course in the UK in mid September, 2012. Let us know if you are interested.

Contact us for further details on any of these courses.

In-house training is also offered. This can be tailored to your needs. Contact us if you are interested.

Topics covered in a typical PEST course include the following:

• Traditional parameter estimation
• Regularized inversion
• Tikhonov and SVD regularization
• Model calibration using SVD-assist
• Techniques for calibration of ground water models
• Use of pilot points as a parameterization device
• Techniques for calibration of surface water models
• Parameter and predictive uncertainty analysis
• Calibration-constrained Monte Carlo analysis (including null space MC)
• Optimization of data aquisition

Courses include theory and workshops. Participants are provided with a CD whose contents include the following.

• The latest version of PEST
• Copies of all slides shown during lectures
• Files and documentation for all PEST workshops
• Copies of papers and other literature on PEST

Workshops include the following.

• Using PEST with a simple storage model
• Using PEST with MODFLOW (three workshops)
• Using PEST with HSPF
• Using PEST with SEAWAT (two workshops)
• Using pilot points
• Linear and nonlinear uncertainty analysis