Thesis
Development of Specialised Technology for use in Predictive Flood Modelling
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Master of Science, University of the Sunshine Coast
2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00372
Abstract
Predictions of urban flooding are required to determine if stormwater drainage is adequate to carry runoff from extreme weather events. Information is also needed to aid in the sizing of drainage networks for future developments and to ensure flow velocities will not cause harm to humans or damage to the environment at the outlet of a drain. Hydrologic methods are employed to convert rainfall over a catchment to runoff at the catchment outlet. These methods come with limitations and their accuracy can be largely dependent on the conditions of the catchment and rainfall event they are used for. Computer modelling programs are also used to model catchment runoff and flow through a pipe network. Model accuracy depends on the skill of the modeller and some models can oversimplify the complex process of rainfall runoff. Models also often require some empirical data for validation to justify the use of the model. This research project addresses the paucity of data on the velocity and flow rate through urban stormwater drainage during heavy rainfall events. A flotation device that travels through a stormwater network and records the speed of the flow through each section of pipe was developed. This device, known as a drifter, uses an internal measurement unit (IMU) with an accelerometer to determine when the drifter reaches the end of a length of pipe. Between each length of pipe is a manhole or field inlet and these points, called nodes, contain a large change in the flow regime of the water. The change in flow regime can be recorded by the IMU to calculate the time travelled through each section of pipe and when the pipe length is known the bulk velocity can be calculated. This enables the velocity of flow through the entire stormwater drain to be determined along with the velocity through each individual section of pipe. The drifter also contains a microphone which records sound as the drifter travels through the stormwater drain. The sound recording is used to detect travel time through pipe sections by separating the sound caused by the drifter entering a node from other sounds such as drifter collisions with the pipe wall. The drifter's travel through the stormwater pipe is recorded by an attached camera which enables the validation of gathered data by visually confirming the presence of a node.
Details
- Title
- Development of Specialised Technology for use in Predictive Flood Modelling
- Authors
- Lauchlan Bye
- Contributors
- Helen Fairweather (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00372
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450658702621
- Output Type
- Thesis
- Research Statement
- false
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