Jinn-Chuang Yang

Time-line interpolation for solution of the dispersion equation

Among all finite difference schemes for solving the advection portion of the dispersion equation, the Holly- Preissmanns two-point method (H-P method) introduces the least numerical damping and phase errors. The key of this method is the use of a cubic interpolating polynomial for searching the characteristic trajectory on the spatial axis. This polynomial is constructed with the use of parameters including dependent variables and its space derivatives for two grid points on the spatial axis. In this article, following a similar idea, a new interpolation technique was constructed, which uses the dependent variables and its temporal derivatives for two points on the time axis as the parameters for the polynomial. Through the error analyses performed on the numerical damping and phase errors for the linear advection equation, it has been observed that this new technique gives a more accurate solution than the H-P method. A simple hypothetical model was constructed to demonstrate the merits of the new techn...

Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of a sediment transport model: a global approach

Computerized sediment transport models are frequently employed to quantitatively simulate the movement of sediment materials in rivers. In spite of the deterministic nature of the models, the outputs are subject to uncertainty due to the inherent variability of many input parameters in time and in space, along with the lack of complete understanding of the involved processes. The commonly used first-order method for sensitivity and uncertainty analyses is to approximate a model by linear expansion at a selected point. Conclusions from the first-order method could be of limited use if the model responses drastically vary at different points in parameter space. To obtain the global sensitivity and uncertainty features of a sediment transport model over a larger input parameter space, the Latin hypercubic sampling technique along with regression procedures were employed. For the purpose of illustrating the methodologies, the computer model HEC2-SR was selected in this study. Through an example application, the results about the parameters sensitivity and uncertainty of water surface, bed elevation and sediment discharge were discussed.

Regionalization of unit hydrograph parameters .1. Comparison of regression analysis techniques

Hydrologic regionalization is a useful tool that allows for the transfer of hydrological information from gaged sites to ungaged sites. This study developed regional regression equations that relate the two parameters in Nashs IUH model to the basin characteristics for 42 major watersheds in Taiwan. In the process of developing the regional equations, different regression procedures including the conventional univariate regression, multivariate regression, and seemingly unrelated regression were used. Multivariate regression and seeming unrelated regression were applied because there exists a rather strong correlation between the Nashs IUH parameters. Furthermore, a validation study was conducted to examine the predictability of regional equations derived by different regression procedures. The study indicates that hydrologic regionalization involving several dependent variables should consider their correlations in the process of establishing the regional equations. The consideration of such correlation will enhance the predictability of resulting regional equations as compared with the ones from the conventional univariate regression procedure.

Optimal Design of a Pilot OTEC Power Plant in Taiwan

In this paper, an optimal design concept has been utilized to find the best designs for a complex and large-scale ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant. THe OTEC power plant under this study is divided into three major subsystems consisting of power subsystem, seawater pipe subsystem, and containment subsystem. The design optimization model for the entire OTEC plant is integrated from these sub-systems under the considerations of their own various design criteria and constraints. The mathematical formulations of this optimization model for the entire OTEC plant are described. The design variables, objective function, and constraints for a pilot plant under the constraints of the feasible technologies at this stage in Taiwan have been carefully examined and selected.

Regionalization of unit hydrograph Parameters: 2. Uncertainty analysis

Hydrologic model parameters obtained from regional regression equations are subject to uncertainty. Consequently, hydrologic model outputs based on the stochastic parameters are random. This paper presents a systematic analysis of uncertainty associated with the two parameters, N and K, in Nashs IUH model from different regional regression equations. The uncertainty features associated with N and K are further incorporated to assess the uncertainty of the resulting IUH. Numerical results indicate that uncertainty of N and K from the regional regression equations are too significant to be ignored.

Reliability analysis of hydraulic structures considering unit hydrograph uncertainty

Unit hydrographs (UHs), along with design rainfalls, are frequently used to determine the discharge hydrograph for design and evaluation of hydraulic structures. Due to the presence of various uncertainties in its derivation, the resulting UH is inevitably subject to uncertainty. Consequently, the performance of hydraulic structures under the design storm condition is uncertain. This paper integrates the linearly constrained Monte-Carlo simulation with the UH theory and routing techniques to evaluate the reliability of hydraulic structures. The linear constraint is considered because the water volume of each generated design direct runoff hydrograph should be equal to that of the design effective rainfall hyetograph or the water volume of each generated UH must be equal to one inch (or cm) over the watershed. For illustration, the proposed methodology is applied to evaluate the overtopping risk of a hypothetical flood detention reservoir downstream of Tong-Tou watershed in Taiwan.

Use of two-step split-operator approach for 2D shallow water flow computation

The objective of this paper is to present a methodology of using a two-step split-operator approach for solving the shallow water flow equations in terms of an orthogonal curvilinear co-ordinate system. This approach is in fact one kind of the so-called fractional step method that has been popularly used for computations of dynamic flow. By following that the momentum equations are decomposed into two portions, the computation procedure involves two steps. The first step (dispersion step) is to compute the provisional velocity in the momentum equation without the pressure gradient. The second step (propagation step) is to correct the provisional velocity by considering a divergence-free velocity field, including the effect of the pressure gradient. This newly proposed method, other than the conventional split-operator methods, such as the projection method, considers the effects of pressure gradient and bed friction in the second step. The advantage of this treatment is that it increases flexibility, efficiency and applicability of numerical simulation for various hydraulic problems. Four cases, including back-water flow, reverse flow, circular basin flow and unsteady flow, have been demonstrated to show the accuracy and practical application of the method. Copyright

Probabilistic evaluations of economic merit of water resource projects

The presence of uncertainties in assessing benefits and costs detracts from deterministic economic evaluation. This paper examines three probabilistic economic evaluation procedures: stochastic dominance, expected gain-confidence limit, and Hurwicz criterion. Their relative performances are evaluated through an example. Furthermore, the paper investigates the effects of (1) distributional assumptions of benefit and cost items, (2) uncertainty in project life, and (3) distribution of net present value on the project selection.

Water resource projects evaluation and ranking under economic uncertainty

The uncertainties of economic factors in the evaluation of a water resource project are receiving more and more attention from researchers and policymakers. This paper proposes a probabilistic procedure based on the concept of stochastic dominance to evaluate the economic merit of water resources projects whose project benefits and costs are subject to uncertainty. An example using the Cache la Poudre River Basin development in Colorado illustrates the procedure.

Numerical study of the effects of check dams on erosion and sedimentation in the Pachang River

Scouring and deposition processes resulting from variable rainfall and typhoon occurrence in tropical climatic conditions induce significant changes in the riverbeds of Taiwan. Along the Pachang River of western Taiwan, severe damage occurs during typhoons due to large and sudden variations in discharge, erosion, sediment transport and deposition. In order to simulate this process, the NETSTARS numerical modeling tool was used in the present paper. The influence of existing and planned check dam structures on flow control was also analyzed to determine their capacity to resist river erosion or to not be buried beneath sediments. Not only does the modeling tool allow calculation of the erosion-deposition behavior at the scale of the whole river, but it also provides local determination of the optimum location and characteristics such as foundation depth and lateral encroachment of future check dams. The results of a 10-year, long-term modeling simulation in terms of riverbed stability and scouring potential thus provide insights about unsafe future behavior at 4 sites. This numerical model provides a better general understanding and useful information for the optimal prevention of both the scouring damage and the burial related to sediment deposition with large changes in discharge and sediment transport.