Estimation of the Thermal Sensitivity of a Dwelling to Variations in Architectural and Behavioural Parameters

The provision of energy for households is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the domestic sector. There is significant scope for energy savings and thus emission reduction in this sector. This paper constructs a bridge between thermal analysis and environmental assessment in the occupancy stage of the dwelling life cycle, approaching both methods as being on a common system Environment–Dwelling–Inhabitant. The importance of the local level in the thermal analysis and assessment of either a dwelling or an inhabitant's behaviour is demonstrated. It is shown that the researcher can choose between natural experiment, computer experiment and mathematical modelling to analyze the system. Such a choice is discussed for two particular methods of thermal analysis. Thermal Nomograms are the result of mathematical modelling, and the Energy Score Sheet is the result of a computer experiment in energy rating. Despite being developed for the purpose of thermal analysis, these methods can also be utilized for environmental assessment at the local level. The discussion centres on Australian conditions where the majority of the population resides in a relatively benign climate wherein behavioural alterations have significant potential for energy savings and environmental impact. The purpose of the paper is to emphasise benefits apart from energy minimisation to promote the use of energy efficient housing strategies.     

Probabilistic Flood Inundation Forecasting Using Rating Curve Libraries

One approach for performing uncertainty assessment in flood inundation modeling is to use an ensemble of models with different conceptualizations, parameters, and initial and boundary conditions that capture the factors contributing to uncertainty. However, the high computational expense of many hydraulic models renders their use impractical for ensemble forecasting. To address this challenge, we developed a rating curve library method for flood inundation forecasting. This method involves pre‐running a hydraulic model using multiple inflows and extracting rating curves, which prescribe a relation between streamflow and stage at various cross sections along a river reach. For a given streamflow, flood stage at each cross section is interpolated from the pre‐computed rating curve library to delineate flood inundation depths and extents at a lower computational cost. In this article, we describe the workflow for our rating curve library method and the Rating Curve based Automatic Flood Forecasting (RCAFF) software that automates this workflow. We also investigate the feasibility of using this method to transform ensemble streamflow forecasts into local, probabilistic flood inundation delineations for the Onion and Shoal Creeks in Austin, Texas. While our results show water surface elevations from RCAFF are comparable to those from the hydraulic models, the ensemble streamflow forecasts used as inputs to RCAFF are the largest source of uncertainty in predicting observed floods.     

基于DRASTIC的丽水市地下水防污性能评价

地下水防污性能反映地下水系统遭受污染的可能性,可以为土地利用规划、地下水资源保护规划、地下水水质监测等提供科学依据。此论文结合丽水市的水文地质条件,对DRASTIC评价模型进行了改善,建立了符合丽水市的DRAMTIC评价模型。该模型由大气降雨入渗补给量、地下水埋深、包气带介质、水力传导系数、含水层厚度、地下水开采强度、地形坡度等7个因子组成,以乡镇单元等为界线划分不规则评价单元,评分体系由单因子区域分布规律确定,采用主成分—因子分析法分析各因子的权重体系;利用差分法对各因子加权叠加的综合指数进行等级划分,应用GIS技术得到丽水市地下水防污性能评价图。该模型的评价结果客观科学,能有效的为规划部门及地下水资源管理部门服务。     

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EVALUATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL IN LAND1

Since the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 there has been a rapidly growing public concern over widespread contamination of the environment with hazardous wastes. In recent years scientific findings on the ecological effects of various hazardous substances have posed several important questions. What exactly are hazardous wastes? Can these substances be disposed of in a technically feasible, economical, and safe way with assurance that they have been permanently eliminated from the ecosystem? What compositional alterations or movements of the hazardous wastes occur in water, soil, or air systems? What effect will these wastes have on the water, soil, or air systems? What effect will these wastes have on the water, soil, or air properties? Consequently, a University of Louisville study has developed a relevant definition of hazardous wastes for the Environmental Engineering profession together with priority of concern rating systems to delineate the degree of environmental impact imposed on a total ecosystem by a hazardous waste and the feasibility of disposing of hazardous substances at specific landfill sites. It is felt that refinements of the priority of concern rating systems offered here may provide a sound basis from which procedural decisions may be structured to establish future national hazardous waste disposal sites.     

PROCEDURES FOR THE EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING ALTERNATIVES1

ABSTRACT: This paper describes a method of analyzing the nonquantifiable parameters which should be considered in the evaluation of engineering alternatives. The nonquantifiable parameters can include environmental impact, feasibility of implementation, and performance. The method considers rating all the alternatives on the basis of a set of criteria which reflect these parameters. A procedure is discussed for obtaining review and guidance in the evaluation of engineering alternatives from the local elected officials or governing bodies and for obtaining the views and desires of the local communities. This is achieved through the formation of project review committees and an evaluation procedure which allows for the technical rating of alternatives by the engineer and the weighing of the evaluation criteria by the political and social groups. With the growing environmental concern and the high cost of engineering projects, the involvement of the public during the evaluation of engineering projects is becoming increasingly important to the final success of the project.     

改善太仓城区水环境原型调水实验研究及模型建立

为达到改善太仓城区水环境的目的,于2004年4月21日进行了调水实验.调水历时14 h,期间向城区调水21.8万m3.通过对监测点采样,得到水量、水质实测数据.根据实验数据,建立了符合太仓河网的水量水质数学模型,分析了从长江引水对太仓城区水环境的改善程度.同时对不同引水方案情况下城区水环境改善效果,以及截污和清淤对水环境的影响做了分析.研究表明,引水只能短期改善水环境;要根治水环境,必须从源头抓起,进行截污.     

Restructured frame‐of‐reference training improves rating accuracy

The use of heuristic judgments is prevalent in organizations and negatively impacts accurate employee assessments. To minimize the negative impact of heuristic judgments (i.e., anchoring and adjustment), we aim to improve rating accuracy by restructuring frame‐of‐reference (FOR) training. We conducted five studies (N = 1,143) using different samples (three including participants with hiring experience), training environments (onsite and online), and rating contexts (evaluations of sales representatives, teachers, contract negotiation specialists, and retail store managers). Across the five studies, the average improvement in rating accuracy was at least twice as large for restructured FOR (vs. control) training as it was for typical FOR (vs. control) training; the difference in rating accuracy between restructured and typical FOR training was statistically significant. Furthermore, minimizing the anchoring effect rather than increasing opportunities for rating adjustments improved rating accuracy (Study 4). Finally, restructured FOR training achieved higher criterion validity (i.e., a higher strength of the association between ratings regarding a target and the target's objective performance) than did typical FOR training (Studies 3 and 5). We discuss implications for improving the effectiveness of diverse training programs and the accuracy of judgments in organizations.     

涂层老化评级方法标准中的问题探讨

对新实施的GB/T 1766-2008标准中存在的问题进行了分析与评述,指出起泡等级的数值设置在装饰性涂层综合评级体系中不合理,标准对起泡的要求太低;同时保护性涂层综合评级中对起泡的危害也不够重视。在综合评级的低等级和高等级评价中,对剥落与生锈的要求尺度不统一,低等级对小锈点比较宽容,高等级对大锈点的要求却较严格。标准在确定生锈、开裂、起泡等单项等级时要求不细,给单项等级评定造成困扰。另外,开裂、起泡单项等级的评定指标未量化,不利于提高数据准确性。     

雨水管道沉积物对径流初期冲刷的影响

为了避免汇水面源头以及分流制雨水管道系统中沉积的大量污染物在降雨时随雨水径流被冲刷进入水体,从而控制径流对水环境构成的冲击性污染,从理论和试验2方面分析了管道径流污染物(汇水面和管道沉积物2个来源)的流失规律.结果表明,汇水面源头污染物流失较符合源头冲刷的指数衰减模型,管道内沉积物流失可用流量曲线模型计算;管道内沉积物占管道径流污染物的比例越大,管道径流的初期冲刷现象越不明显.为了提高径流污染控制设施的效率,宜在源头进行分散控制,并加强雨水管网系统清洁维护,避免污染物的积累.     

多频管中电流法防腐层检测评级参数影响研究

多频管中电流法通过计算管道防腐层绝缘电阻来判断管道外防腐层的状态,近年来得到较为广泛的应用.但对于丘陵山地的埋地输油气气管道,其评价结果与实际状态有一定差距.通过研究发现,评价结果与实际状态不符的主要原因是:管道分布电容、管道分布电感在GDWFF处理软件中对防腐层评价结果影响较大,尤其是管道分布电感是关键参数.为此,修正了多频管中电流法评价软件给出的管道分布电感推荐值,并采用现场开挖的方式进行验证,说明评价结果更符合山地实际.