Evaluation of Gauge‐Radar Merging Methods Using a Semi‐Distributed Hydrological Model in the Upper Thames River Basin,Canada

Gauge‐radar merging methods combine rainfall estimates from rain gauges and radar to capitalize on the strengths of the individual instruments. The performance of four well‐known gauge‐radar merging methods, including mean field bias correction, Brandes spatial adjustment, local bias correction using kriging, and conditional merging, are examined using Environment Canada radar and the Upper Thames River Basin in southwestern Ontario, Canada, as a case study. The analysis assesses the effect of gauge‐radar merging methods on: (1) the accuracy of predicted rainfall accumulations; and (2) the accuracy of predicted streamflows using a semi‐distributed hydrological model. In addition, several influencing factors (i.e., gauge density, storm type, basin type, proximity to the radar tower, and time‐step of adjustment) are analyzed to determine their effect on the performance of the rainfall estimation techniques. Confirming results of previous studies, the merging methods provide an increase in the accuracy of both rainfall accumulation estimations and predicted streamflows. The results also indicate specific factors such as gauge density, rainfall intensity, and time‐step of adjustment can reduce the accuracy of merging methods and play a key role in the examination of its use for operational purposes. Results provide guidance for hydrologists and engineers assessing how best to apply corrected radar products to improve rainfall estimation and hydrological modeling accuracy.     

Assessing Spatial Scale Effects on Hydrometric Network Design Using Entropy and Multi‐objective Methods

In order to facilitate water resources decisions, it is important that accurate and informative hydrometric data are collected. Combining information theory with multi‐objective optimization has led to methods of optimizing the information content provided by hydrometric networks; however, there is no available study on the effects of spatial scale and data limitation on these methods. Herein, a dual entropy multi‐objective optimization (DEMO) and a transinformation (TI) analysis were done to recommend optimal locations for additional hydrometric stations in the Madawaska Watershed. This analysis was designed to be comparative to a similar study conducted on the Ottawa River Basin which encompasses the Madawaska Watershed to allow for an investigation of the spatial scale effects in this type of network design. This study concludes that TI analysis is not adversely affected by scaling; however, the DEMO analysis is sensitive to the placement of potential station locations and the size of the study area. This study also examines the benefit of including nearby stations when the area of interest does not have a sufficient number of existing hydrometric stations for analysis. It is shown that these stations can provide useful information because their inclusion in the analysis increased the average TI in the watershed. Recommendations were made as to the ideal locations of additional stations in the Madawaska Watershed hydrometric network.     

Ethnographic understandings of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods to inform urban design practice

The aim of this paper is to inform urban design practice through deeper understanding and analysis of the social dynamics of public outdoor space in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. We hypothesise that findings from ethnographic research can provide a resource that improves cultural literacy and supports social justice in professional practice. The primary method is a meta-synthesis literature review of 24 ethnographic research papers, all of which explore some dimensions of public open space use and values in UK urban contexts characterised by ethnic and racial diversity. We summarise thematic understandings and significance of neighbourhood places of shared activity, parks, spaces of passing-by and of retreat. We evaluate the implications for intercultural social dynamics, exploring the spatial and temporal dimensions of conviviality and racism in public open space. We then argue that it is possible to develop principles for urban design practice informed by this work, and propose four for discussion: maximising straightforward participation, legitimising diversity of activity, designing in micro-retreats of nearby quietness and addressing structural inequalities of open space provision. We conclude that ethnographic research can provide detailed insights into the use of the public realm and also inform a more nuanced understanding of outdoor sociality relevant for an increasingly diverse society. The challenge is two-fold: for ethnographers to become less cautious in engaging with decisions and priorities regarding how cities change, and for urban designers to explicitly embed informed understandings of difference into their broad desire for inclusive public space.     

Numerical modeling and optimization of a power augmented S-type vertical axis wind turbine

An axial symmetry augmented vertical axis wind turbine, which is suitable for arbitrary wind directions, is proposed in this paper. In order to improve the power generation ability of the S-type vertical axis wind turbine, a set of so-called “collection-shield boards” are installed symmetrically around the rotating S-type rotor. The flow fields around this type of wind turbine are numerically simulated with the aid of CFD method. The optimized design of geometrical parameters of the rotor and collection-shield boards is conducted by using the orthogonal design method. The obtained results suggest that the power output of the optimized augmented wind turbine can reach nearly three times higher than that of the conventional S-type vertical axis wind turbine.     

基于泥质的污泥脱水策略与数学模型构建研究

本研究以无锡市A~2O-MBR(Anaeroxic Anoxic Oxic-Membrane Bio-Reactor,A~2O-MBR)工艺、CAST(Cyclic Activated Sludge System,CAST)工艺和氧化沟工艺3种不同工艺的污泥泥质为对象,通过试验测定7种污泥泥质参数,分析不同污泥泥质参数间相关性.并通过主成分分析发现含固率、胞外聚合物(Extracellular Polymeric Substances,EPS)蛋白质和多糖是影响污泥脱水性能的主要因素.通过均匀设计实验探究不同药剂投配比对污泥毛细吸水时间及有机物含量的影响,并采用统计分析软件(Statistical Product and Service Solutions,SPSS)构建污泥脱水药剂线性回归模型,得到线性方程:含固率=2.5049-0.0261X_1-2.28×10~(-3)X_2;有机物=40.5728-0.1894X_1+0.2264X_2.通过验证试验发现,此线性方程残差低于3.0,可用于指导实际工程中药剂投配比.     

泥石流防治工程方案优化设计专家系统初步研究

泥石流灾害是一种复杂的自然现象,泥石流物防治工程设计中不确定的因素很多,泥石流防治工程往往是根据泥石流防治专家自己的专业知识和经验来进行的,广泛收集,分析综合和抽取专家的知识和经验,采用专家系统是进行此类非结构化总是求解的主要途径之一。     

社会可接受的地震人员死亡率研究

确定最佳或最合理的设防标准时,应在保证地震安全和谋求最佳经济效益二者之间进行权衡、既要保证地震人员伤亡降低一个社会可接受的水平之下,又要使所获得的经济效益最大。本文根据我国几次大地震的资料,建立了地震人员死亡率与房屋倒塌率之间的经验关系。在分析设防后地震人员伤亡水平与其它灾害和事故造成的人员伤亡水平的基础上,对确定社会可接受的地震人员死亡率作了探讨。     

江阴长江公路大桥塔墩和锚锭的场地设计地震动工程参数

江阴长江公路大桥建成后将是主垮1385m,总长2888m 的大型悬索桥。本文在对大桥桥址区域地震地质和区域地震活动、桥址区地震构造条件及其断裂活动性综合研究的基础上,用概率方法对桥址区进行地震危险性分析;并结合桥址两岸不同的岩土条件,大桥塔墩和锚锭部位局部地形地貌、地下介质的横向非均匀性,绘出了大桥塔墩和锚锭场地不同土层的设计地震动工程参数。为大桥的抗震设计提供了可靠的科学依据。     

Methodological advancements in Life Cycle Process Design: A preliminary outlook

This paper deals with the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for process design, and presents the initial findings of this analysis qualitatively. The work identifies a need for a methodological development of Life Cycle Process Design (LCPD). This is underpinned by a broad literature review. The literature review shows that the application of LCA as an environmental design instrument is recognized in literature. In contrast to that there is hardly any hint which role Life Cycle Costing (LCC) could play within environmental process design. Most interesting in this line is, how LCA and LCC can be combined for environmental process design to be finally the core instruments of LCPD. The applicability of LCA and LCC within LCPD is shown on the example of a novel biorefinery process under development. Both instruments (LCA and LCC) are already applied during basic process development in this work, parallel to laboratory research. The aim is to identify potential environmental threats at an early stage of process design and also to give a hint on economic feasibility. Additionally a trade-off between environmental and economic issues can be drawn out. On the basis of this analysis the role of LCA during process development is highlighted as well as difficulties and challenges are emphasized. One of the major obstacles is data availability for LCA as well as LCC in the basic design stage of a biotechnological process. The findings of this paper serve as basis for the methodological development of LCPD. It is emphasized that conducting LCA and LCC during basic process development can reveal some relevant action areas for process engineers, which may influence technical as well as economic feasibility. The results presented have to be understood as a first outlook and provide key aspects for future research on the topic of accompanying basic process research projects with LCA and LCC to support future sustainable process design.