Thesis (doctoral)--Delft University of Technology, 2004. / "Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Board for Doctorates of Delft University of Technology and of the Academic Board of UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education for the degree of Doctor to be defended in public on Monday, 24 May 2004 at 10:30 hours in Delft, The Netherlands." Title from ebook title screen (viewed Oct. 3, 2005).

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.

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.

Expert computer programs have recently emerged from research on artificial intelligence as a practical problem-solving tool. An expert system is a knowledge-based program that imitates the problem-solving behaviour of a human expert to solve complex real-world problems. While conventional programs organize knowledge on two levels: data and program, most expert programs organize knowledge on three levels: data, knowledge base, and control. Thus, what distinguishes such a system from conventional programs is that in most expert systems the problem solving model is treated as a separate entity rather than appearing only implicitly as part of the coding of the program. The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, it is intended to demonstrate how domain-specific problem-solving knowledge may be represented in computer memory by using the frame representation technique. Secondly, it is intended to simulate a typical flood estimation situation, from the point-of-view of an expert engineer. A frame network was developed to represent, in data structures, the declarative, procedural, and heuristic knowledge necessary for solving a typical flow estimation problem. The control strategy of this computer-based consultant (FLOOD ADVISOR) relies on the concept that reasoning is dominated by a recognition process which is used to compare new instances of a given phenomena to the stereotyped conceptual framework used in understanding that phenomena. The primary purpose of the FLOOD ADVISOR is to provide interactive advice about the flow estimation technique most suitable to one of five generalized real-world situations. These generalizations are based primarily on the type and quantity of the data and resources available to the engineer. They are used to demonstrate how problem solving knowledge may be used to interactively assist the engineer in making difficult decisions. The expertise represented in this prototype system is far from complete and the recommended solution procedures for each generalized case are in their infancy. However, modifications may be easily implemented as the domain-specific expert knowledge becomes available. It is concluded that over the long term, this type of approach for building problem-solving models of the real world are computationally cheaper and easier to develop and maintain than conventional computer programs. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The optimal use of resources in a floodplain is important especially as marginal returns increase in value. Flood control measures which protect floodplain development need to be conservative to allow for future growth. This thesis presents a methodology whereby the likelihood of flooding of a river is determined from Monte Carlo simulations using a numerical river model. The river model is based on the hydrodynamic equations of motion and continuity while the stochastic parameters of the river are determined from recorded discharge data from the Nicomekl River, Surrey B.C., which is used as the test case of this study. Comparisons are made between simulated and recorded data with predictions of flood probabilities and conclusions as to the use of the methodology. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-104). Also available via the Internet.