SIMSAFADIM and SIMSAFADIM-CLASTIC

(contact address Oscar Gratacós)

The SIMSAFADIM program (SIMulation of Stratigraphic Architecture and FAcies DIstribution Model) is a Finite Element process-based simulation model for 3D clastic transport and sedimentation in subaqueous systems. The interaction betwen clastic sediments in suspension and carbonate producing organisms, it is also included.

In summary, the main processes and parameters that are considered are:

  1. ✓2D potential fluid flow in function of inflowing water and basin geometry.




  1. ✓Under this fluid flow pattern, diffusive/advective/dispersive transport processes for different clastic grain size types (defined by the user) is simulated.




  1. ✓Considering the fluid flow system and the settling velocities for each clastic seidiment type, sedimentation can be determined.

  2. ✓Interaction between clastic sediment in suspension and carbonate producing organisms associations it is also considered.

  3. ✓Carbonate producing organisms associations can be defined using ecological and environmental parameters, like: optimal water depth range; competition or cooperation between species and with itself; poisoning parameters due to clastic sediment in suspension; carbonate production; and nutrients available in suspension.

  4. ✓Other parameters that can be considered are: sea level variations (linear; sinusoidal -up to four cicles can be superimposed-; or combination of both) and changing boundary conditions due to coast line migration; subsidence, that can be constant or differencial.


The program, despite stable releases, is in continuous development and improvement adding new parameters /processes. Note that the major limitations are that erosion and continental processes are not yet included.

The software code is written in FORTRAN 90 and compiled and tested in WindowsXP/7 (compiled with Compaq Visual FORTRAN 8.0), OpenSUSE 11.1 (compiled with Intel FORTRAN Compiler 11.0) and MAC OS X 10.5.2 (compiled with Intel FORTRAN Compiler 11.0)

This software is registered under GPL license and source code is open source

Software developres are: Klaus Bitzer; Oscar Gratacós; and Roger Clavera (Bitzer i Salas 2002; Gratacós 2004; Gratacós et al. 2009).

Sintetic sample experiment showing a deltaic system with three clastic terrigenous sediment types and sea level variations. Note changing boundary conditions flor inflowing water and sediment area (left boundary) due to coast line migration

Conceptual diagram showing main processes and parameters that take into account in SIMSAFADIM-CLASTIC program

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