Previous works have applied the Divider Method to the shapes of drainage divides as measured from maps. This study focuses on the shapes of several drainage divides measured in the field at very fine scale. These divides, chosen for their sharp crests, include portions of the Continental Divide in Colorado and badlands-type divides in Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Texas. The badlands type divides were delineated using a laser theodolite to collect data at decimeter point spacing, and the Continental Divide segments were delineated using pace and bearing at a constant point spacing of 30 meters. A GIS was used to store and visualize the divide data, and an automated divider analysis was performed for each of the 16 drainage divides.The Richardson plots produced for each of the drainage divide datasets were visually inspected for portions of linearity. Fractal dimensions (D) were calculated using linear regression techniques for each of the linear segments identified in the Richardson plots. Six of the plots exhibited two distinct segments of linearity, nine plots exhibited one segment, and one plot exhibited no segments of linearity. Residual analyses of the trend lines show that about half of the Richardson plot segments used to calculate D exhibit slight curvature. While these segments are not strictly linear, linear models and associated D values may still serve well as approximations to describe degree of divide wandering.Most (20 out of 21) of the dimensions derived from the Richardson plots for the drainage divides fall within the range from 1.01-1.07. The D values calculated for the Continental Divide range from 1.02-1.07. The dimensions calculated for the badlandtype divides were distributed evenly across the range of 1.01-1.06, with a single exceptional D value at 1.12. Only four of the divide D values fall within a range of 1.06–1.12, the range for D established for drainage divides in published map-based studies, despite the apparent dominance of erosion processes on the measured divides. / Department of Geology

No description available.

A comprehensive model of particle collection in flotation is developed from a rigorous analysis of the relative motion between a particle and a bubble prior to and during particle-bubble contact. Collection efficiency E(,K) is derived as a product of collision efficiency E(,C) and attachment efficiency E(,A). From trajectory calculations E(,C) is correlated to the bubble Reynolds number and the Stokes number, a dimensionless inertia term. E(,A) is calculated as the fraction of particles which reside on the bubble for a time greater than the induction time. As a result of the velocity gradient are the bubble surface E(,A) decreases with increasing particle size. The model explains the peak in size-by-size recovery data that is often observed at intermediate particle sizes. The peak location is shown to shift to smaller sizes as induction time increases. / A scale-up model for flotation columns is also developed. The model uses measured values of collection rate constants and an experimental correlation of plant column mixing parameters to calculate collection zone recovery R(,K). R(,K) is interfaced with a variable cleaning zone recovery to yield a grade-recovery relationship for the plant column. The onset of bubble loading is accounted for.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-180). / Microfiche. / xvii, 180 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

A theoretical non-hydrostatic model is developed to describe the dynamics of a two-layer shallow water system in the presence of viscous and Coriolis effects. The Navier-Stokes equations are integrated over the water depth in each layer to obtain the layer-mean equations. To close the resulting equation set, perturbation expansions of the vertical momentum equation are used and the dynamic pressures are solved in terms of wave elevations and horizontal velocities. A preliminary analysis is also carried out and a result for the quasigeostrophic problems is given based on an previous study. Our final model is of the Bousinesq class which is nonlinear and dispersive, and includes the effects of surface wind stress, bottom friction, eddy diffusion and earth rotation. It is shown that our new model can be readily reduced to previous inviscid non-hydrostatic models. Our model can be used in numerical simulations to study real ocean problems such as hurricane generated waves, tidal induced current, and interactions among surface waves, internal waves and variable topographies. / Thesis (M. S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-59). / UHM: Has both book and microform. / U.S. Geological Survey; project no. 06; grant agreement no. 14-08-0001-G2015

The development of a new N-Line model, which provides a practical tool for simulating regional beach changes induced by short and long-term processes, is described in this thesis. The new N-Line model consists of four main modules that together describe the hydrodynamic and morphological responses. The four constituent modules have been integrated based on a wide range of research including the utility and function of commercial or freeware models. They are RCPWAVE wave module, time-averaged and depth-integrated current module, sediment transport module based on Bailard (1981) and contour change morphological module. Two different time-scales and two staggered grid systems for hydrodynamic and morphological simulations were adopted alternatively. For short-term 2D profile changes, new N-Line model applicability has been examined using data from the laboratory to the field. For ideal beaches, new N-Line can simulate an offshore storm bar generation or an onshore accretion due to high or low energy waves. For SUPERTANK large-scale flume data, the predicted profile matched the measured profile well, especially the bar height and position. For beach profile data from the Gold Coast, storm-induced variations of barred profiles were reasonably modelled. The new N-Line model compared well with other commonly used cross-shore models such as SBEACH and UNIBEST. A new schematisation for a non-monotonic profile and DUNED inclusion were introduced. Sensitivity tests on cross-shore sediment coefficient (Kq), smoothing parameter (??s) and water level fluctuations were performed. For long-term 3D beach changes, the new N-Line model applicability has been tested with various boundary conditions using idealized and real field data. Two periods, 17 and 16 months, of beach changes before and after a major bypass plant commenced operation in 2001 at Letitia Spit were simulated. The profile and shoreline changes were predicted reasonably well. Empirical model parameters were determined after a range of sensitivity and calibration testing. The new N-Line model showed its better performance compared to one-line models. It can handle various boundary conditions, especially bypass conditions. The N-Line model is not only capable of modelling planform variations but also cross-shore profile changes.

Typescript (photocopy) / iii, 152 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Dept. of Applied Mathematics, University of Adelaide 1981

xii, 218 leaves / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1978) from the Dept. of Mathematical Physics, University of Adelaide

The design and management of organised systems, comprised of dynamic interdependent collectives of autonomous agents, is the kind of problem that the discipline of complex systems is intended to address. Nevertheless, conventional model-based applications of complex systems may be of limited utility when the problem is also data-poor and soft. In this case, a quantitative model may be at best meaning-less; at worst harmful. Systems approaches, such as soft systems methodologies, have been developed that provide some guidance in this domain. However, these alternatives do not utilise the exact techniques of complex systems, preferring to abandon mathematical representations altogether. It is the aim of this thesis to advance a “conceptual analysis" approach to complex systems design that exploits deep insights from the mathematics of complex systems, without building explicit models of the underlying system. It is argued that this approach can extend the domain of applicability of the discipline of complex systems into situations where quantitative data is unavailable, and human and social factors are significant. Conceptual analysis of complex systems is inherently multidisciplinary, because it is broader than the foundations of any single conventional discipline. This is reflected in the structure of this thesis, which spans the philosophy, theory and application of complex systems. Part I on systems philosophy develops an understanding of representation, which sheds light on the utility and limitations of models. The history of the systems movement is then surveyed, systemism is distinguished from both individualism and holism, and `system' is defined. Complex systems is contrasted with both early systems theory and contemporary systems approaches. Part II on complex systems theory firstly relates the major theoretical concepts within a rigourous information theoretical framework. They include complexity, edge of chaos, self-organisation, emergence, adaptation, evolution and self refer- entiality. The central systems concept - emergence - is then examined in depth beyond its information theoretic interpretation, leading to a concise definition of emergent properties and emergence. A new framework for understanding emergence in terms of scope, resolution and state yields substantial novel insights. It is shown that emergence is coupled to scope, in contrast to the conventional explanation that relates levels of description. Part III applies the preceding philosophical and theoretical framework to real-world problems in the defence and security arena. In the first example, the theory of multi-scale complexity reveals structural impediments to success for conventional force structures in asymmetric warfare, such as Operation Iraqi Freedom. The second example analyses the capability development process, which is responsible for transforming the security needs of Government into equipment purchasing decisions. The analysis produces practical recommendations for improvements that address the underlying complexity of the problem. Reflections in the conclusion of this thesis focus on the interrelations between philosophy, theory and application. As the individual contributions of this thesis are woven into a single tapestry, they demonstrate the utility of a multidisciplinary approach to complex systems design. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1283989 / Thesis(PhD) -- University of Adelaide, School of Mathematical Sciences, 2007

No description available.