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In recent years, there have been significant researches on holistic approaches to design flood estimation in Australia. The Monte Carlo Simulation technique, an approximate form of Joint Probability Approach, has been developed and tested to small gauged catchments. This thesis presents the extension of the Monte Carlo Simulation Technique to large catchments using runoff routing model URBS. The URBS-Monte Carlo Technique(UMCT),has been applied to the Johnstone River and Upper Mary River catchments in Queensland. The thesis shows that the UMCT can be applied to large catchments and be readily used by hydrologists and floodplain managers. Further the proposed technique provides deeper insight into the hydrologic behaviour of large catchments and allows assessment of the effects of errors in inputs variables on design flood estimates. The research also highlights the problems and potentials of the UMCT for application in practical situations. / Masters of Engineering (Hons.)

The thesis reports a contribution to the development of neural-like network- based element-free methods for the numerical simulation of some non-Newtonian fluid flow problems. The numerical approximation of functions and solution of the governing partial differential equations are mainly based on radial basis function networks. The resultant micro-macroscopic approaches do not require any element-based discretisation and only rely on a set of unstructured collocation points and hence are truly meshless or element-free. The development of the present methods begins with the use of the multi-layer perceptron networks (MLPNs) and radial basis function networks (RBFNs) to effectively eliminate the volume integrals in the integral formulation of fluid flow problems. An adaptive velocity gradient domain decomposition (AVGDD) scheme is incorporated into the computational algorithm. As a result, an improved feed forward neural network boundary-element-only method (FFNN- BEM) is created and verified. The present FFNN-BEM successfully simulates the flow of several Generalised Newtonian Fluids (GNFs), including the Carreau, Power-law and Cross models. To the best of the author's knowledge, the present FFNN-BEM is the first to achieve convergence for difficult flow situations when the power-law indices are very small (as small as 0.2). Although some elements are still used to discretise the governing equations, but only on the boundary of the analysis domain, the experience gained in the development of element-free approximation in the domain provides valuable skills for the progress towards an element-free approach. A least squares collocation RBFN-based mesh-free method is then developed for solving the governing PDEs. This method is coupled with the stochastic simulation technique (SST), forming the mesoscopic approach for analyzing viscoelastic flid flows. The velocity field is computed from the RBFN-based mesh-free method (macroscopic component) and the stress is determined by the SST (microscopic component). Thus the SST removes a limitation in traditional macroscopic approaches since closed form constitutive equations are not necessary in the SST. In this mesh-free method, each of the unknowns in the conservation equations is represented by a linear combination of weighted radial basis functions and hence the unknowns are converted from physical variables (e.g. velocity, stresses, etc) into network weights through the application of the general linear least squares principle and point collocation procedure. Depending on the type of RBFs used, a number of parameters will influence the performance of the method. These parameters include the centres in the case of thin plate spline RBFNs (TPS-RBFNs), and the centres and the widths in the case of multi-quadric RBFNs (MQ-RBFNs). A further improvement of the approach is achieved when the Eulerian SST is formulated via Brownian configuration fields (BCF) in place of the Lagrangian SST. The SST is made more efficient with the inclusion of the control variate variance reduction scheme, which allows for a reduction of the number of dumbbells used to model the fluid. A highly parallelised algorithm, at both macro and micro levels, incorporating a domain decomposition technique, is implemented to handle larger problems. The approach is verified and used to simulate the flow of several model dilute polymeric fluids (the Hookean, FENE and FENE-P models) in simple as well as non-trivial geometries, including shear flows (transient Couette, Poiseuille flows)), elongational flows (4:1 and 10:1 abrupt contraction flows) and lid-driven cavity flows.

A management training course was' evaluated for effectiveness by using two specially compiled in-basket exercises equivalent in complexity. Outcome evaluation was performed so as to determine whether learning transfer took place, ie whether management skills in the application of the management dimensions planning, organising and control do manifest in the work context afterwards. Significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group in the application of the management dimensions planning, organising and control. These differences were investigated by means of the "Univariate procedure ... A management training course can therefore be effectively measured with the behaviour assessment approach by using two groups, where only one group is exposed to a management training course. It can thus be ascertained whether a change in management behaviour has taken place as a result of learning transfer. / Die effektiwiteit van 'n bestuursopleidingskursus is geevalueer deur twee spesiaal saamgestelde posmandjies van dieselfde moeilikheidsgraad te gebruik. Uitkomsevaluering is gedoen om te bepaal of leeroordrag plaasgevind het, met ander woorde of die nuut aangeleerde bestuursvaardighede in die toepassing van die bestuursdimensies beplanning, organisering en beheer wei na die tyd in die konteks van werksgedrag manifesteer. Beduidende verskille tussen die eksperimentele en die kontrolegroep is gevind in die toe passing van die bestuursdimensies beplanning, organisering en beheer. Die verskille is ondersoek met behulp van die "univariate procedure". 'n Bestuursopleidingskursus kan dus effektief vanuit die gedragsbeoordelingsbenadering gemeet word deur van twee groepe gebruik te maak waarvan slegs die een groep aan 'n bestuursopleidingskursus blootgestel word. Daar kan dus bepaal word of 'n verandering in bestuursgedrag plaasgevind het as 'n gevolg van leeroordrag. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This doctoral study consists of two parts. In the first part, the quantum statistical effects on the formation process of the heavy ion fusion reactions have been investigated by using the c-number quantum Langevin equation approach. It has been shown that the quantum effects enhance the over-passing probability at low temperatures. In the second part, we have developed a simulation technique for the quantum noises which can be approximated by two-term exponential colored noise.

A management training course was' evaluated for effectiveness by using two specially compiled in-basket exercises equivalent in complexity. Outcome evaluation was performed so as to determine whether learning transfer took place, ie whether management skills in the application of the management dimensions planning, organising and control do manifest in the work context afterwards. Significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group in the application of the management dimensions planning, organising and control. These differences were investigated by means of the "Univariate procedure ... A management training course can therefore be effectively measured with the behaviour assessment approach by using two groups, where only one group is exposed to a management training course. It can thus be ascertained whether a change in management behaviour has taken place as a result of learning transfer. / Die effektiwiteit van 'n bestuursopleidingskursus is geevalueer deur twee spesiaal saamgestelde posmandjies van dieselfde moeilikheidsgraad te gebruik. Uitkomsevaluering is gedoen om te bepaal of leeroordrag plaasgevind het, met ander woorde of die nuut aangeleerde bestuursvaardighede in die toepassing van die bestuursdimensies beplanning, organisering en beheer wei na die tyd in die konteks van werksgedrag manifesteer. Beduidende verskille tussen die eksperimentele en die kontrolegroep is gevind in die toe passing van die bestuursdimensies beplanning, organisering en beheer. Die verskille is ondersoek met behulp van die "univariate procedure". 'n Bestuursopleidingskursus kan dus effektief vanuit die gedragsbeoordelingsbenadering gemeet word deur van twee groepe gebruik te maak waarvan slegs die een groep aan 'n bestuursopleidingskursus blootgestel word. Daar kan dus bepaal word of 'n verandering in bestuursgedrag plaasgevind het as 'n gevolg van leeroordrag. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This doctoral thesis deals with modelling and simulation of investment projects and linking risk management with new trends in construction industry. Process of balancing of acceptable risk level and investment costs is really complex and is influenced by several uncertainties. Simulation methods are able to model future scenarios of project development and quantify impact of risk factors. The aim of the doctoral thesis is to find an optimal methodology for risk analysis during decision-making process using simulation methods. The methodology links modeling by simulation method Monte Carlo with CBA, with risk analysis respectively. The aim is to reach more effective process of planning of investment projects. An accurate project plan in preinvestment phase will influence effectiveness of life cycle costs significantly. This is proved also by BIM methodology which works on base of transfer and storage of actual and complete information about investment plan within its whole lifecycle. Expected output of the thesis is effective application of simulation methods in risk prediction for modeling of outputs of investment project. Data from model are useful for decision making process, risk management, controlling and postaudit of investments. Projects can be evaluated by their complex benefits and quality with respect to sustainability.

Gehaltediens lei tot effektiwiteit in enige organisasie. Die meting hiervan behoort 'n prioriteit te wees, maar geskikte, gevalideerde, wetenskaplike meetinstrumente hiervoor bestaan nie. Die algemene doel van die navorsing was die validering van 'n gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek ("Business Principles Orientation") vir die meting van klientediensvaardighede. In die literatuuroorsig is klientediens gedefinieer en vyf dimensies van gehaltediens gei:dentifiseer. Deur empiriese navorsing is die gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek ("Business Principles Orientation") se meting van klientediensvaardighede bepaal, deur dit afte neem op 'n steekproef van 28 kassiere in 'n supermark. Hierdie instrument is gekorreleer met die Servqual-vraelys. Die resultate dui op 'n swak verband tussen die veranderlikes van die Servqual-vraelys en gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek. Hiervolgens is die gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek en die ontwikkelingsverslag wat dit verskaf, nie geldig in die meting van klientdiensvaardighede nie. Aanbevelings ten opsigte van die instrument se verdere verfyning en navorsing word geformuleer. / Quality service leads to effectiveness in any organisation. The measurement of effectiveness should be a priority, but suitable, valid and scientific measurement instruments for this purpose does not exist. The general aim of the research was the validation of a computerized simulation technique ("Business Principles Orientation") for the measurement of client service skills. In the literature survey, quality service was defined and five dimensions of quality service identified. In the empirical research the measurement of client service skills through the use of the computerized technique ("Business Priciples Orientation"), was determined by testing it on a sample of 28 cashiers from a supermarket. This instrument was correlated with the Servqual-questionaire. The results show little correlation between the variables of the Servqual questionaire and computerized simulation technique. In terms hereof the computerized simulation technique and development report that it provides, is not valid in the measurement of client care skills. Recommendations for further refinement and research pertaining to this instrument is formulated. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Bedryfsielkunde)

Gehaltediens lei tot effektiwiteit in enige organisasie. Die meting hiervan behoort 'n prioriteit te wees, maar geskikte, gevalideerde, wetenskaplike meetinstrumente hiervoor bestaan nie. Die algemene doel van die navorsing was die validering van 'n gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek ("Business Principles Orientation") vir die meting van klientediensvaardighede. In die literatuuroorsig is klientediens gedefinieer en vyf dimensies van gehaltediens gei:dentifiseer. Deur empiriese navorsing is die gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek ("Business Principles Orientation") se meting van klientediensvaardighede bepaal, deur dit afte neem op 'n steekproef van 28 kassiere in 'n supermark. Hierdie instrument is gekorreleer met die Servqual-vraelys. Die resultate dui op 'n swak verband tussen die veranderlikes van die Servqual-vraelys en gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek. Hiervolgens is die gerekenariseerde simulasietegniek en die ontwikkelingsverslag wat dit verskaf, nie geldig in die meting van klientdiensvaardighede nie. Aanbevelings ten opsigte van die instrument se verdere verfyning en navorsing word geformuleer. / Quality service leads to effectiveness in any organisation. The measurement of effectiveness should be a priority, but suitable, valid and scientific measurement instruments for this purpose does not exist. The general aim of the research was the validation of a computerized simulation technique ("Business Principles Orientation") for the measurement of client service skills. In the literature survey, quality service was defined and five dimensions of quality service identified. In the empirical research the measurement of client service skills through the use of the computerized technique ("Business Priciples Orientation"), was determined by testing it on a sample of 28 cashiers from a supermarket. This instrument was correlated with the Servqual-questionaire. The results show little correlation between the variables of the Servqual questionaire and computerized simulation technique. In terms hereof the computerized simulation technique and development report that it provides, is not valid in the measurement of client care skills. Recommendations for further refinement and research pertaining to this instrument is formulated. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Bedryfsielkunde)