Abstract: Among the most basic challenges of hydrology are the prediction and quantification of catchment surface runoff. The runoff curve number (CN) is a key factor in determining runoff in the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) based hydrologic modeling method. The traditional SCS-CN method for calculating the composite curve number is very tedious and consumes a major portion of the hydrologic modeling time. Therefore, geographic information systems (GIS) are now being used in combination with the SCS-CN method. This paper assesses the modeling of flow in West Bank catchments using the GIS-based SCS-CN method. The West Bank, Palestine, is characterized as an arid to semi-arid region with annual rainfall depths ranging between 100 mm in the vicinity of the Jordan River to 700 mm in the mountains extending across the central parts of the region. The estimated composite curve number for the entire West Bank is about 50 assuming dry conditions. This paper clearly demonstrates that the integration of GIS with the SCS-CN method provides a powerful tool for estimating runoff volumes in West Bank catchments, representing arid to semi-arid catchments of Palestine.
Abstract: The hydrologic model HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center, Hydrologic Modeling System), used in combination with the Geospatial Hydrologic Modeling Extension, HEC-GeoHMS, is not a site-specific hydrologic model. Although China has seen the applications of many hydrologic and hydraulic models, HEC-HMS is seldom applied in China, and where it is applied, it is not applied holistically. This paper presents a holistic application of HEC-HMS. Its applicability, capability and suitability for flood forecasting in catchments were examined. The DEMs (digital elevation models) of the study areas were processed using HEC-GeoHMS, an ArcView GIS extension for catchment delineation, terrain pre-processing, and basin processing. The model was calibrated and verified using historical observed data. The determination coefficients and coefficients of agreement for all the flood events were above 0.9, and the relative errors in peak discharges were all within the acceptable range.
Abstract: With the purpose of making calculation more efficient in practical hydraulic simulations, an improved algorithm was proposed and was applied in the practical water distribution field. This methodology was developed by expanding the traditional loop-equation theory through utilization of the advantages of the graph theory in efficiency. The utilization of the spanning tree technique from graph theory makes the proposed algorithm efficient in calculation and simple to use for computer coding. The algorithms for topological generation and practical implementations are presented in detail in this paper. Through the application to a practical urban system, the consumption of the CPU time and computation memory were decreased while the accuracy was greatly enhanced compared with the present existing methods.
Abstract: According to a deformed mild-slope equation derived by Guang-wen Hong and an enhanced numerical method, a wave refraction-diffraction nonlinear mathematical model that takes tidal level change and the high-order bathymetry factor into account has been developed. The deformed mild-slope equation is used to eliminate the restriction of wave length on calculation steps. Using the hard disk to record data during the calculation process, the enhanced numerical method can save computer memory space to a certain extent, so that a large-scale sea area can be calculated with high-resolution grids. This model was applied to wave field integral calculation over a radial sand ridge field in the South Yellow Sea. The results demonstrate some features of the wave field: (1) the wave-height contour lines are arc-shaped near the shore; (2) waves break many times when they propagate toward the shore; (3) wave field characteristics on the northern and southern sides of Huangshayang are different; and (4) the characteristics of wave distribution match the terrain features. The application of this model in the region of the radial sand ridge field suggests that it is a feasible way to analyze wave refraction-diffraction effects under natural sea conditions
Abstract: In many cases, river discharge is indirectly estimated from water level or streamflow velocity near the water surface. However, these methods have limited applicability. In this study, an innovative system, the fluvial acoustic tomography system (FATS), was used for continuous discharge measurement. Transducers with a central frequency of 30 kHz were installed diagonally across the river. The system’s significant functions include accurate measurement of the travel time of the transmission signal using a GPS clock and the attainment of a high signal-to-noise ratio as a result of modulation of the signal by the 10th order M-sequence. In addition, FATS is small and lightweight, and its power consumption is low. Operating in unsteady streamflow, FATS successfully measured the cross-sectional average velocity. The agreement between FATS and acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) on water discharge was satisfactory. Moreover, the temporal variation of the cross-sectional average temperature deduced from the sound speed of FATS was similar to that measured by a temperature sensor near the bank.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the influences of floodplain impermeable groynes on flow structure, velocity, and water depth around the groyne(s). A wooden symmetrical compound channel was used. Groyne models with three different groyne relative lengths, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, were used on one floodplain with single and series arrangements. Analysis of the experimental results using the measured flow velocity and water depth values showed that flow structure, velocity, and water depth mainly depend on groyne relative length and the relative distance between series groynes. The flow velocity at the main channel centerline increased by about 40%, 60%, and 85%, and in other parts on the horizontal plane at the floodplain mid-water depth by about 75%, 125%, and 175% of its original value in cases of one-side floodplain groyne(s) with relative lengths of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, respectively. The effective distance between two groynes in series arrangement ranges from 3 to 4 times the groyne length. Using an impermeable groyne with a large relative length in river floodplains increases the generation of eddy and roller zones downstream of the groyne, leading to more scouring and deposition. To avoid that, the groyne relative length must be kept below half the floodplain width.
Abstract: Ensuring that water flows smoothly into spillways is the main challenge in spillway design. In order to help avoid the formation of vortices and separation of flow along the guide wall in front of the gates during overflow through the spillway, an experiment with a physical model of the Yutang Dam bank spillway was carried out. The profile of the guide wall was redesigned to eliminate the formation of vortices and separation of flow. This involves opening up holes in the middle part of the guide wall. The test results show that the design is effective in improving the flow conditions of the inlet, and in ensuring the desired values of water head along the guide wall and discharge capacities of the spillway.
Abstract: By using the shear stress transport (SST) model to predict the effect of random flow motion in a fluid zone, and using the Newmark method to solve the oscillation equations in a solid zone, a coupling model of the powerhouse and its tube water was developed. The effects of fluid-structure interaction are considered through the kinematic and dynamic conditions applied to the fluid-structure interfaces (FSI). Numerical simulation of turbulent flow through the whole flow passage of the powerhouse and concrete structure vibration analysis in the time domain were carried out with the model. Considering the effect of coupling the turbulence and the powerhouse structure, the time history response of both turbulent flows through the whole flow passage and powerhouse structure vibration were generated. Concrete structure vibration analysis shows that the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the dynamo floor respond dramatically to pressure fluctuations in the flow passage. Furthermore, the spectrum analysis suggests that pressure fluctuation originating from the static and dynamic disturbances of hydraulic turbine blades in the flow passage is one of the most important vibration sources.
Abstract: Site selection plays a crucial role in riverbank filtration for sustainable water availability and quality. Choosing the most appropriate from among multiple candidate sites requires a complex procedure, involving many tangibles and intangibles. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which selects the optimal alternative by hierarchically classifying various attributes and then quantifying the importance of each attribute, was used to prioritize candidate locations for riverbank filtration. A GIS-based computer program was developed to automate the assessment process. The developed software was applied to the Han River in Korea. Analysis of four candidate sites reveals that a site that has better water quality and connectivity to the neighboring purification facility is more suitable than other locations.
Abstract: A dam-reservoir system subjected to an earthquake is a nonlinear system, because the fluid equations are always nonlinear regardless of the linear or nonlinear model used for the dam body. Therefore, transient analysis is necessary. In this study, dam-reservoir interaction during earthquake excitation was modeled by utilizing coupled finite element equations based on the Eulerian approach. Direct computing of the one-way coupling technique was used to solve the coupled equations. This technique is based on a simple assumption that the fluid hydrodynamic pressure is applied to the dam body while the deformation of the dam has no influence on the water field. Seismic response analysis of the Sonla concrete gravity dam constructed in Sonla Province, Vietnam was carried out as a verification example. The results of the methodology introduced are in close agreement with results of the iterative method and the solution procedure is found to be less time-consuming than that of the iterative method. This method is very convenient and can be easily implemented in finite element programs with fluid-structure interaction modules.
Abstract: Based on experimental data obtained from triaxial tests and a hydrostatic test, a cup model was formulated. Two plastic mechanisms, respectively a deviatoric shearing and a pore collapse, are taken into account. This model also considers the influence of confining pressure. In this paper, the calibration of the model is detailed and numerical simulations of the main mechanical behavior of cement paste over a large range of stress are described, showing good agreement with experimental results. The case study shows that this cup model has extensive applicability for cement-based materials and other quasi-brittle and high-porosity materials in a complex stress state.
Abstract: High-performance concrete (HPC) is stronger and more durable than conventional concrete. However, shrinkage and shrinkage cracking are common phenomena in HPC, especially early-age cracking. This study assessed early-age cracking of HPC for two mixtures using restrained ring tests. The two mixtures were produced with water/binder mass ratio (mW/mB) of 0.22 and 0.40, respectively. The results show that, with greater steel thickness, the higher degree of restraint resulted in a higher interface pressure and earlier cracking. With steel thickness of 6 mm, 19 mm, and 30 mm, the age of cracking were, respectively, 12 days, 8 days, and 5.4 days with the mW/mB = 0.22 mixture; and 22.5 days, 12.6 days, and 7.1 days with the mW/mB = 0.40 mixture. Cases of the same steel thickness show that the ring specimens with a thicker concrete wall crack later. With the mW/mB = 0.22 mixture, concrete walls with thicknesses of 37.5 mm, 75 mm, and 112.5 mm cracked at 3.4 days, 8.0 days, and 9.8 days, respectively; with the mW/mB = 0.40 mixture, the ages of cracking were 7.1 days, 12.6 days, and 16.0 days, respectively.
