Atmospheric ammonia contributes to a number of environmental problems, but many questions regarding the behaviour of ammonia in the atmosphere remain. Field studies were performed to investigate the gas-particle partitioning of ammonia, the surface-atmosphere exchange, and to compare measurements with an online chemical transport model and offline thermodynamic models. A state-of-the-art instrument, Quantum Cascade Tunable Infrared Laser Differential Absorption Spectrometer (QC-TILDAS), with a novel sampling technique was used to measure ammonia. The detection limit of the instrument was found to be 690 ppt at 1 Hz and 42 ppt when averaged to 5 minutes. The uncertainty in the measurement is 10 % based on calibration from a permeation tube source. Laboratory and field tests show the ammonia time response to be slower at lower mixing ratios, and when the ambient relative humidity is high. Observations from the first field campaign discussed, the Border Air Quality and Meteorology Study (BAQS-Met), were compared to a chemical transport model AURAMS (A Unified Regional Air quality Modeling System). The model was often biased low in ammonia and ammonium and predicted an incorrect diurnal profile. Observations suggest a coupling between gas-particle and surface-atmosphere equilibria whereby a large atmospheric condensation sink induces emission of ammonia from the surface. A simple approach at representing the ammonia bi-direction flux more closely matched the observations, indicating that a fully coupled bi-directional flux parameterization in chemical transport models is necessary to accurately predict atmospheric ammonia. A suite of instrumentation during the CalNex 2010 field campaign allowed for in-depth analysis of gas-particle partitioning and estimation of aerosol pH. Observations were compared to predictions from the thermodynamic equilibrium models ISORROPIA and E-AIM. Deviations form equilibrium were found during periods of high levels of aerosol nitrate and positive net charge. The gas-particle partitioning was found to be very sensitive to aerosol pH.

In atmospheric environment, synchronized survey of criteria air pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important for ambient air quality measurement. UV-DOAS (Ultra-violet Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) in this research is an optics open-optical monitor based on the ultraviolet and visible-light absorption of gaseous pollutants. This measurement could be employed to examine the spatial average concentration of optical path in the open space, and to monitor criteria air pollutants (including O3, SO2, NO and NO2) as well as VOCs (including benzene, toluene, p-xylene). Aircraft takeoff and landing has serious impacts on the neighboring envvironment of Kaohsiung International Airport. Aircrafts generate two major pollution problems: chemical pollution (leaking flue from engine and fume with particulate and gaseous pollutants from incomplete combustion) and physical pollution (aircraft noise). Most air pollutant emissions from aero engine are generated during aircraft takeoff and landing. The distribution of gaseous pollutants along the runway is a linear pollution source. Restricted by flight safety, it is difficult to monitor and investigate aero engine pollution with traditional stationary monitors. Therefore, open-path monitoring has become a novel tool for research. First, this study investigated the spatial average concentration of air pollutants around the runway of Kaohsiung International Airport and compared with monitoring data from nearby air quality monitoring station to evaluate the performance of the open-path monitoring system. Comparing the stationary monitors with the open-path monitoring showed relatively better correlations on O3 and NO2 than on SO2 and NO, which might be caused by the differences of local emissions. Overall, these two monitoring systems are identical on monitoring regulated pollutants. Furthermore, the open-path monitoring can also examine volatile organic compounds (ex: benzene, p-xylene, and toluene). The open-path monitoring is a practical and reliable monitoring system. It could be considered as one of the ambient air quality standard monitors in the future. Secondly, this study chose the airspace of approach lane, located at west side of the runway 09 of Kaohsiung International Airport, as survey area. The open-path monitoring (OP-SIS) utilized UV-DOAS for sampling and monitoring the air quality of the survey area. It examined, recorded, and analyzed the criteria air pollutants (O3, SO2, NO and NO2) as well as VOCs (including benzene, toluene, p-xylene) to ascertain the impact of aircraft emissions on atmospheric environment. The results suggested that aircraft emissions influenced ambient air quality with high correlation to NO concentration. Additionally, the wind directions of land-sea breeze and monsoon also have influences on the concentration of air pollutants in the study area. In daytime, when wind direction was N or NNE, the variance of NO concentration was consistent with takeoff and landing time points with correlation coefficient of 0.60. After 5-6 minutes of an aircraft passed through the study airspace, the variance of instantaneous concentration of NO climbed up to 30 ppb. The results were contributed to understand the characteristics and sources of aircraft emitted air pollutants. It could provide the authority to have better judgment on reducing air pollutants as well as to assist the maintence and management of ambient air quality surrounding the airports.

Amorphous polymers under their glass transition temperature (Tg) exhibit large inelastic deformations. Their mechanical behavior is highly dependent upon temperature, strain rate, pressure and loading mode (tension, compression, shear). They also exhibit small strain isotropic hardening, softening and large strain anisotropic rehardening. In addition, while in their glassy state, polymers are far from thermodynamic equilibrium so that their properties may change over time (physical aging). This complex behavior is reflected in the response of composites and affects the onset and propagation of damage therein. Therefore, in order to design polymer composite structures, it is fundamental to develop relevant tools and methodologies which aim at understanding, capturing and predicting the full thermomechanical response of glassy polymers. In this study, the thermomechanical behavior of a thermosetting polymer epoxy is characterized experimentally for temperatures below Tg. The intrinsic behavior of the polymer is obtained using a new methodology based on digital image correlation (DIC) in combination with video-monitored extensometry. In particular, inelastic flow localization patterns are discussed based on the full-field strain measurements and their connection to the stress-strain curves are highlighted. The Boyce-Parks-Argon polymer constitutive model, hereafter called the macromolecular model, has been enhanced to describe the thermomechanical behavior of epoxies. The identification of the material parameters involved in the model is described in a detailed procedure that builds on a limited set of experiments. The model is shown to represent adequately the thermomechanical behavior of the studied epoxy over a wide range of temperatures and strain-rates. Using additional high strain-rate data obtained from collaborators on Kolsky bars, the model capabilities are further discussed. Using finite-element implementations of the constitutive model in both quasi-static and dynamic codes, the processes of plastic flow localization are analyzed in tensile and compression specimens. Such analysis can form the basis of an alternative method for identifying the model parameters through inverse identification. Finally, a preliminary set of experiments were also conducted to investigate the effect of physical aging on the yield behavior and enhance the macromolecular model with the capability of modeling aging effects. Our interpretation of the aging experiments suggests that they are not conclusive and do not permit full determination of model parameters. Specific recommendations are tentatively formulated for conducting aging experiments in the future.

This study seeks to identify naturally occurring differences in the turbulent environment at a variety of field sites near the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, in Wassaw Sound and surrounding bodies of water. The sites have previously been used to study predator-prey interactions. Velocity time records were recorded using acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) probes at six sites on four days, with a total of 14 data sets. Differential estimate phase filtering was employed to identify erroneous velocity measurements. Less than 3% of the total samples were identified for any given data set with the exception of three sets that contained nonphysical banded bursts. Set mean velocity statistics were largely unaffected by phase filtration, while turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) was reduced in magnitude. Because the sites were exposed to waves, wave contributions to TKE and Reynolds shear stress were computed. Power spectral densities (PSDs) were computed for each velocity burst, and the contributions from wave-related and turbulent fluctuations were isolated. Wave components of TKE and Reynolds shear stress were computed. Wave contributions to turbulent characteristics for most sets were between 10-20% of the total value. Wave contributions to TKE were consistent but wave contributions to Reynolds shear stresses were irregular. Burst-average velocity statistics, TKE, Reynolds shear stress, and turbulence intensity (TI) were computed for each set. Large variability in turbulent characteristics was observed both temporally and spatially. Tidal influences were apparent as turbulent characteristics often reached absolute maximum values during the incoming or outgoing tides. No consistent trends were observed in relationships between the sites. The findings of the study emphasize the importance of applying data filtration to raw ADV data, suggest an order of magnitude of wave contributions in a particular tidal ecosystem, and demonstrate the inherent variability of turbulent characteristics. The study also illustrates the importance of considering multiple turbulence parameters for a give site, due to the lack of observed relationships between TKE, TI, and Reynolds shear stress. Further work is needed to determine if other parameters that are relevant from a flow characterization standpoint are also important ecologically.

Measurements of the key aerosol properties including light scattering and backscattering coefficients (σsp and σbsp), light absorption coefficient (σap), and particle concentration were made at Summit, Greenland, in the summer of 2011. From these quantities, the single scattering albedo (ω) and angstrom scattering and absorption exponents (åsp, åap) were calculated. In conjunction with these measurements, aerosol optical depth (AOD or τ) and the spectral surface albedo, Rs, were measured. Additionally, the aerosol chemical composition was characterized through snow and air filter analyses. A radiative transfer model was used to estimate the direct aerosol radiative forcing and radiative forcing efficiency using the measurements as inputs. Taken as a whole, this project allowed for the first ever measurement-based characterization of aerosol radiative forcing over central Greenland.

Turkish Air Quality Control Regulation (AQCR) is in force since 1986. However, AQCR does not contain any standards for odour control. In order to respond to various odour complaints and handle odour problems in Turkey, a regulation for odour control is necessary. Since Turkey is a candidate country for European Union, environmental legislation of Turkey has to be improved to the standards of the other member countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the &ldquo / odour problem&rdquo / in Turkey, specifically in Ankara, and to establish the odour measurement techniques. The techniques and information acquired throughout this study will form the basis of &ldquo / Odour Regulation&rdquo / in Turkey. For this purpose, odorous gas samples were collected from different industries in Ankara and these samples were analysed with the Olfactometer TO7. The results of the emission measurements have shown that there are numerous industries in Ankara which are discharging high concentrated odorous gases into the environment. Also, field measurements (immission measurements) were performed around a sugar factory in order to determine immission levels. At the end of the immission measurements, a setback distance (buffer zone) of 1.5 km is determined that should be around a sugar factory. The implementation of an odour regulation and odour control technologies in Turkey is expected in near future.

Condition assessment of water distribution pipeline assets has been the focus of water authorities for many years. Transient response analysis, including Inverse Transient Analysis (ITA), provides a new potential method for performing specific nondestructive tests that gives much broader information regarding the condition of pipelines than existing technologies. The basic concept involves inducing a transient in a pipeline and measuring its pressure response. The pressure response is theoretically a function of the condition of the pipeline wall (which is the fundamental characteristic related to the propagation of a transient wavefront) and reflections and damping from any fault that may be present. If an accurate transient model of the pipeline under examination can be developed then it may then be possible to isolate particular parameters in it (relating to the wall thickness of the pipeline or faults such as blockages, air pockets and leaks) and fit these to give optimal matches between the model predicted and measured response of the pipeline. This process is often referred to as inverse analysis (and hence the derivation of the name Inverse Transient Analysis). While a significant amount of numerical and laboratory investigation has been carried out focussing on the use of ITA for leak detection, few field studies have been undertaken. The goal of this research is to determine whether transient response analysis and Inverse Transient Analysis (ITA) can be applied in field situations to provide useful information regarding the condition of pipeline walls and the presence of specific faults such as blockages, air pockets and leaks. Numerous field tests are conducted on large scale transmission pipelines, small scale distribution pipelines and a distribution network in order to obtain a view of the nature of the measured transient responses at each scale and to identify any common characteristics. The capacity of existing transient models to replicate the measured responses is then assessed and they are found to be generally incapable of replicating the field data. Given the physical complexity of field pipelines, and a number of complex phenomena that have been traditionally neglected, this result is not unexpected. The research proposes the development of transient models that can be calibrated to measured responses. These models incorporate mechanisms for including mechanical dispersion and damping and follow precedents developed in other fields of engineering in which damping of transient phenomena is significant. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1325427 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2008

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 2012, a three-axis HTS-SQUID magnetometer project for geomagnetic measurements has been started at SANSA Space Science in Hermanus, South Africa. The goal of this project was to replicate a three-axis SQUID magnetometer for geomagnetic field measurements at LSBB at Rustrel, France. This is to allow better characterizing of faint, low frequency geomagnetic and ionospheric phenomena. To record the output signals of the SQUID magnetometers, a measurement system had to be developed. To utilise the full sensitivity of the SQUID magnetometers, the output signals have to be recorded with high accuracy. A high-speed and high-accuracy data acquisition system was installed and software was developed to record data from it. The software is capable of sending the recorded data to a web server as it is being recorded. Basic hardware control of the SQUID magnetometers has also been implemented from this data acquisition system, by monitoring conditions with its software. Timing accuracy is an important aspect of this system, in order to enable comparisons with measurements from LSBB and from different locations in the world. A GPS receiver was used to obtain the current UTC time accurately in order to timestamp measurements. A software method was devised for timestamping, to improve accuracy by triggering measurements directly from the GPS receiver. A hardware real-time clock between the GPS receiver and the rest of the system has been avoided using this method. For research purposes, this measurement data must be available on the internet for the lifetime of the system. A data server was set up and a large database of recorded data has been generated over two years of this project. Long term implementation issues have also been addressed. A web interface was developed for the data server to enable live viewing of the recorded data. This web interface also facilitates access to the raw measurements for public use. Analysis of phenomena in the recorded data has been performed by other students from Stellenbosch University. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 2012 is daar by SANSA Space Science in Hermanus, Suid-Afrika begin met 'n drie-as HTS-SQUID magnetometerprojek vir die opneem van geomagnetiese metings. Die doel van hierdie projek was om die drie-as SQUID magnetometer vir geomagnetiese veldmetings by LSBB naby Rustrel in Frankryk te dupliseer. Dit sou dit moontlik maak om subtiele, laefrekwensie geomagnetiese en ionosferiese verskynsels beter te beskryf. Om die uittreeseine wat deur die SQUID magnetometers voortgebring word op te neem, moes n data-opnemerstelsel ontwikkel word. Ten einde die volle sensitiwiteit van die SQUID magnetometers te benut, moes die seine baie akkuraat gemeet word. 'n Hospoed- en ho-akkuraatheidsdata-opnemer is genstalleer en die nodige sagteware is ontwikkel om hierdie data op te neem. Die sagteware is in staat om die data, soos dit opgeneem word, na 'n webbediener te stuur. Basiese hardewarebeheer van die SQUID magnetometers is ook vanaf hierdie data-opnemerstelsel gemplementeer deur toestande met die sagteware te monitor. Akkurate tydmeting is 'n belangrike aspek van hierdie sisteem, sodat metings met die van LSBB en ander soortgelyke projekte in ander posisies op die aarde vergelyk kan word. 'n GPS-ontvanger is gebruik om die UTC-tyd akkuraat te ontvang, ten einde akkurate tydstempeling by metings te voeg. 'n Sagtewaremetode vir tydstempeling is ontwikkel om akkuraatheid te bevorder deur metings direk vanaf die GPS-ontvanger te sneller. Deur hierdie metode te gebruik, is dit onnodig om n intydse hardewaretydhouer tussen die GPS-ontvanger en die res van die sisteem te gebruik. Vir navorsingsdoeleindes moet hierdie metingsdata op die internet beskikbaar wees vir die duur van die stelsel se leeftyd. 'n Databediener is opgestel en 'n baie groot databasis van opgeneemde data is oor die twee jaar van hierdie projek gegenereer. Langtermynimplementeringskwessies het ook aandag geniet. 'n Webblad is vir die databediener ontwikkel sodat die data onmiddellik besigtig kan word soos dit opgeneem word. Hierdie webblad fasiliteer ook toegang tot die rou data-opnames vir openbare gebruik. Verskynsels in die data-opnames is by SANSA geanaliseer deur ander studente van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch.

Ce travail de thèse a eu pour objectif une meilleure caractérisation, au niveau moléculaire, de l’aérosol organique atmosphérique, en lien avec les composés polyaromatiques. Cette étude s’est articulée autour de deux approches différentes mais complémentaires. Une étude de terrain conduite à Grenoble a permis d’appréhender les niveaux de concentration, la variabilité saisonnière et la répartition gaz/particule des hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP), oxy-HAP (OHAP) et nitro-HAP (NHAP), pendant une année entière. Ce travail de terrain a aussi permis d’appréhender les sources primaires et secondaires des OHAP et NHAP ainsi que de proposer des molécules marqueurs de ces processus de formation. Une étude complémentaire conduite en chambre de simulation atmosphérique a, quant à elle, eu pour but l’investigation de la formation d’aérosol organique secondaire (AOS), suite à la photooxydation du naphtalène et du 2-méthylnaphtalène. L’identification de la formation de produits organosoufrés de type organosulfates et sulfonates, à partir de la photooxydation de HAP gazeux, a été mise en évidence pour la première fois lors de cette thèse, ce qui a permis de proposer ces composés comme des marqueurs de formation d’AOS à partir des HAP. La capacité de ces AOS à absorber le rayonnement UV-Visible a été appréhendée et les molécules responsables de cette absorption ont été identifiées. Une caractérisation chimique poussée de l’AOS a mis en évidence sa dépendance aux différentes conditions expérimentales (type de particules d’ensemencement, acidité et humidité relative) et a conduit à l’identification et à la proposition de nouvelles voies réactionnelles. / This PhD work deals with a better characterization, at the molecular level of the organic atmospheric aerosol in relation to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), and has been structured using two different but complementary approaches. Field measurements were conducted in Grenoble (France) and concentration levels, seasonal variability and gas/particle partitioning distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxy-PAHs (OPAHs) and nitro-PAHs (NPAHs) have been investigated for one whole year. This field study allowed to a better understanding of primary vs secondary sources of OPAHs and NPAHs and specific molecular markers related to different sources have been identified. A complementary study was carried out using an atmospheric smog chamber, in order to investigate the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the photooxidation of naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene, two of the most abundant PAHs in the gas-phase. The formation of organosulfates and sulfonates, from the oxidation of gaseous PAHs, has been highlighted for the first time in this work and these compounds have been proposed as potential SOA markers of PAH photooxidation. UV-Visible absorption of SOA generated during these experiments was investigated and led to the identification of specific molecules responsible for this absorption. A wide chemical characterization of SOA was performed and emphasized its dependence on many experimental factors (nature of seed particles, relative humidity and seed acidity) and allowed to propose some new chemical reaction pathways.

This thesis investigates the appropriateness of a simplified, open-source digital image correlation (DIC) software for use in quasi-static, structural testing utilizing two-dimensional (2D) DIC measurements. DIC is a non-contact optical measurement technique that uses computer vision to track unique attributes on the surface of an object. For structural testing, traditional instrumentation such as displacement sensors and strain gages are impractical for full field measurements due their limited ability to capture large amounts of data. However, over the past decade, DIC has proven a successful method for full-field kinematics measurements, making it an appealing tool for collecting high densities of accurate data. This thesis specifically studies the accuracy and limitations of the DIC software, MODEM, for various test specimens and loading conditions. This research work is part of an experimental program comprised of three phases. The first stage was conducted by another investigator on aluminum coupons tested in pure tension. These results were used to calibrate parameters (speckle pattern density, lighting, and camera settings) used with the DIC software. The second stage included pure compression tests on concrete cubes and concrete cylinders to compare the difference in results between: (i) surface curvature, (ii) camera distance, (iii) surface treatment, and (iv) speckle pattern color. The final stage involved analysis of a tension test of a concrete prism completed at the University of Auckland in an effort to assess how MODEM could be utilized to accurately detect onset and propagation of concrete cracking. Results showed the most accurate DIC strains were within 5% error when compared to traditional instrumentation for aluminum loaded in tension and within 6% error for concrete loaded in compression/tension. This level of accuracy is comparable to existing open source and commercial DIC software utilizing 2D DIC analysis. Therefore, MODEM can be used to provide accurate 2D DIC strain measurements for small and medium scale structural test specimens when using the following parameters: (i) the surface of the specimen is planar, (ii) the camera is placed accordingly so the maximum amount of zoom can be used, (iii) the surface of a test specimen is free of debris or imperfections, and (iv) a high contrast and evenly distributed speckle pattern is used. Computational analysis of the results showed that known material properties can be used to calibrate, or remove errors from, the DIC results when traditional instrumentation is not available. Additionally, results showed MODEM strain contours can be used for initial detection of cracks in concrete loaded in tension while MODEM tracking performance can be used to characterize the centerline and orientation of cracks. The experimental tests provide critical information on how to set up, run, and analyze DIC results when using MODEM. The full field measurements are of value in providing accurate data for structural testing to develop a better understanding of material response and structural performance, since large-scale tests are typically limited by a sparse number of data points when using traditional instrumentation.