Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of New Orleans, 2005. / Title from electronic submission form. "A thesis ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science"--Dissertation t.p. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Rice University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 263-276).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1946. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2001. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-47). Also available on the World Wide Web.

No description available.

This thesis describes research in to flood forecasting on rapid response catchments, using knowledge based principles. Extensive use was made of high resolution single site radar data from the radar site at Hameldon Hill in North West England. Actual storm events and synthetic precipitation data were used in an attempt to identify 'knowledge' of the rainfall - runoff process. Modelling was carried out with the use of transfer functions, and an analysis is presented of the problems in using this type of model in hydrological forecasting. A physically realisable' transfer function model is outlined, and storm characteristics were analysed to establish information about model tuning. The knowledge gained was built into a knowledge based system (KBS) to enable real-time optimisation of model parameters. A rainfall movement forecasting program was used to provide input to the system. Forecasts using the KBS tuned parameters proved better than those from a naive transfer function model in most cases. In order to further improve flow forecasts a simple catchment wetness procedure was developed and included in the system, based on antecedent precipitation index, using radar rainfall input. A new method of intensity - duration - frequency analysis was developed using distributed radar data at a 2Km by 2Km resolution. This allowed a new application of return periods in real time, in assessing storm severity as it occurs. A catchment transposition procedure was developed allowing subjective catchment placement infront of an approaching event, to assess rainfall `risk', in terms of catchment history, before the event reaches it. A knowledge based approach, to work in real time, was found to be successful. The main drawback is the initial procurement of knowledge, or information about thresholds, linkages and relationships.

This thesis is concerned with the study of flood plains and the flood hazard in England and Wales. Flood plains form an important resource which is only successfully utilised by the reduction of the flood hazard. The extent of the flood hazard in a study area, the problem of assessing flood damage, and the perception of the flood hazard and adjustment to it, are all investigated in order to suggest ways in which floods may be reduced. The flood hazard is a widespread phenomenon affecting most parts of the study area of this dissertation which consists of the Severn, Wye and Usk catchments, and a group of catchments in Glamorgan. Most major settlements extend into flood risk areas, and require flood alleviation programmes. Flood damage assessment is found to be a major problem which adversely affects our ability to optimise flood plain resource use. The assessment of potential flood damages based directly upon actual damage data is found to be impracticable. Instead, standard flood damage information, based upon actual flood damage data, is developed for residences. This allows the computation of potential residential flood damage. The important problem of flood hazard adjustment is considered in a study of the preconditions of flood hazard perception and individual and community adjustment at study sites. The adjustment process is found to be conditioned by flood experience, spatial variations in the hazard, access to information and adjustment evaluation, whilst personality traits do not appear to be directly important. At the community level, unconventional combinations of adjustment are found to be of value, although low levels of public awareness of flood risk pose a serious problem. Flood hazard reduction can be improved in this country by explicit management of flood plains, by improved economic analyses, and by the application of behavioural principles.

This dissertation examines how the construction of an embankment has altered the life of a village in Bangladesh. Once the academic context of the work has been established, the geographical and historical context of the project itself is outlined. There then follows a discussion of the formulation and execution of the research methodology. This comprised a comparative analysis of the results from a household questionnaire survey conducted in two villages, one inside and one outside the project area, as well as a comparison of the post-project data thus collected with data collected by the project funding agency before the embankment's construction.

This thesis describes the development of a method for determining the most efficient way to operate an upstream flood control reservoir for maximum flood peak reduction at a downstream point. Linear programming is used as the optimization technique. A simplified case is studied, namely that of a single storage reservoir approximately 500 miles upstream from the area to be protected. A channel routing method which was linear was required for use with linear programming. For this reason a Muskingum type channel routing method was chosen. The results for the three years that were studied are presented in graphical form. They indicate the extent that the downstream peak could be reduced and the operation of the upstream reservoir which would be required to bring about this reduction in peak flow. Procedures for extending the technique to more complex systems and possible applications of the method are discussed. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Design flood estimates have traditionally been based on records of past events. However, there is a need for a method of estimating peak flows without these records. The Estimated Parameter Flood Forecasting Model (EPFFM) has been developed to provide such a method for small water resource projects based on a 200 year or less design flood. This "user friendly" computer model calculates the expected peak flow and its standard deviation from low, probable, and high estimates of thirteen user supplied parameters. These parameters describe physical characteristics of the drainage basin, infiltration rates, and rainstorm characteristics. The standard deviation provides a measure of reliability and is used to produce an 80% confidence interval on peak flows. The thesis briefly reviews existing flow estimation techniques and then describes the development of EPFFM. This includes descriptions of the Chicago method of rainfall hyetograph synthesis, Horton's infiltration equation, inflow by time-area method, Muskingum routing equation, and an approximate method of estimating the variance of multivariate equations since these are all used by EPFFM to model the physical and mathematical processes involved. Two examples are included to demonstrate EPFFM's ability to estimate a confidence interval, and compare these with recorded peak flows. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate