Using ArcGIS for Landslide Umka 3D Visualisation

The recent developments in earth sciences software are mostly related to the extension allowing graphical representations of volumes and geological bodies. In this paper, we present a tool for 3D visualization of landslide body using only ArcGIS© software and its 3rd party extensions. The model was built using existing geological surveys, DEMs, borehole logs and site investigation data. The case study chosen to illustrate the method is the Umka landslide (Belgrade, Serbia), an area with relatively simple geology, but with deep seated landslide and with block-translational sliding mechanism

3D Cadastres Best Practices, Chapter 5: Visualization and New Opportunities

This paper proposes a discussion on opportunities offered by 3D visualization to improve the understanding and the analysis of cadastre data. It first introduce the rationale of having 3D visualization functionalities in the context of cadastre applications. Second the publication outline some basic concepts in 3D visualization. This section specially addresses the visualization pipeline as a driven classification schema to understand the steps leading to 3D visualization. In this section is also presented a brief review of current 3D standards and technologies. Next is proposed a summary of progress made in the last years in 3D cadastral visualization. For instance, user’s requirement, data and semiotics, and platforms are highlighted as main actions performed in the development of 3D cadastre visualization. This review could be perceived as an attempt to structure and emphasise the best practices in the domain of 3D cadastre visualization and as an inventory of issues that still need to be tackled. Finally, by providing a review on advances and trends in 3D visualization, the paper initiates a discussion and a critical analysis on the benefit of applying these new developments to cadastre domain. This final section discusses about enhancing 3D techniques as dynamic transparency and cutaway, 3D generalization, 3D visibility model, 3D annotation, 3D data and web platform, augmented reality, immersive virtual environment, 3D gaming, interaction techniques and time

Optimization of Single and Layered Surface Texturing

In visualization problems, surface shape is often a piece of data that must be shown effectively. One factor that strongly affects shape perception is texture. For example, patterns of texture on a surface can show the surface orientation from foreshortening or compression of the texture marks, and surface depth through size variation from perspective projection. However, texture is generally under-used in the scientific visualization community. The benefits of using texture on single surfaces also apply to layered surfaces. Layering of multiple surfaces in a single viewpoint allows direct comparison of surface shape. The studies presented in this dissertation aim to find optimal methods for texturing of both single and layered surfaces. This line of research starts with open, many-parameter experiments using human subjects to find what factors are important for optimal texturing of layered surfaces. These experiments showed that texture shape parameters are very important, and that texture brightness is critical so that shading cues are available. Also, the optimal textures seem to be task dependent; a feature finding task needed relatively little texture information, but more shape-dependent tasks needed stronger texture cues. In visualization problems, surface shape is often a piece of data that must be shown effectively. One factor that strongly affects shape perception is texture. For example, patterns of texture on a surface can show the surface orientation from foreshortening or compression of the texture marks, and surface depth through size variation from perspective projection. However, texture is generally under-used in the scientific visualization community. The benefits of using texture on single surfaces also apply to layered surfaces. Layering of multiple surfaces in a single viewpoint allows direct comparison of surface shape. The studies presented in this dissertation aim to find optimal methods for texturing of both single and layered surfaces. This line of research starts with open, many-parameter experiments using human subjects to find what factors are important for optimal texturing of layered surfaces. These experiments showed that texture shape parameters are very important, and that texture brightness is critical so that shading cues are available. Also, the optimal textures seem to be task dependent; a feature finding task needed relatively little texture information, but more shape-dependent tasks needed stronger texture cues

Using Kriging to Interpolate Spatially Distributed Volumetric Medical Data

Routine cases in diagnostic radiology require the interpolation of volumetric medical imaging data sets. Inaccurate renditions of interpolated volumes can lead to the misdiagnosis of a patient\u27s condition. It is therefore essential that interpolated modality space estimates accurately portray patient space. Kriging is investigated in this research to interpolate medical imaging volumes. Kriging requires data to be spatially distributed. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is shown to exhibit spatially regionalized characteristics such that it can be modeled using regionalized variables and subsequently be interpolated using kriging. A comprehensive, automated, three-dimensional structural analysis of the MRI data is accomplished to derive a mathematical model of spatial variation about each interpolated point. Kriging uses these models to compute estimates of minimal estimation variance. Estimation accuracy of the kriged, interpolated MRI volume is demonstrated to exceed that achieved using trilinear interpolation if the derived model of spatial variation sufficiently represents the regionalized neighborhoods about each interpolated voxel. Models of spatial variation that assume an ellipsoid extent with orthogonal axes of continuity are demonstrated to insufficiently characterize modality space MRI data. Model accuracy is concluded to be critical to achieve estimation accuracies that exceed those of trilinear interpolation

Building geometric models with hand-drawn sketches

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1998.Includes bibliographical references (p. 49-51).Architects work on drawings and models, not buildings. Today, in many architectural practices, drawings and models are produced in digital format using Computer-aided Design (CAD) tools. Unquestionably, digital media have changed the way in which many architects perform their day to day activities. But these changes have been limited to the more prosaic aspects of practice. To be sure, CAD systems have made the daily operations of many design offices more efficient; nevertheless, they have been of little use - and indeed are often a hindrance - in situations where the task at hand is more conjectural and speculative in nature, as it is during the early stages of a project. Well-intentioned efforts to insinuate CAD into these aspects of practice have only served to reveal the incongruities between the demands of designer and the configuration of the available tools. One of the chief attributes of design practice is that it is action performed at a distance through the agency of representations. This fundamental trait implies that we have to understand how computers help architects describe buildings if we are to understand how they might help architects design buildings. As obvious as this claim might seem, CAD programs can be almost universally characterized by a tacit denigration of visual representation. In this thesis, I examine properties of design drawings that make them useful to architects. I go on to describe a computer program that I have written that allows a designer to build geometric models using freehand sketches. This program illustrates that it is possible to design a software tool in a way that profits from, rather than negates, the power of visual representations.by Ewan E. Branda.M.S

Ensuring the Safe Production of Natural Gas

Growing demand for natural gas in the U.S. has led to an increase in hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale region of PA. The goal of this project was to recommend best practices to the U.S. Department of Energy for hydraulic fracturing. First, industry practices for well drilling, cementing, and casing were analyzed. A System-Theoretic Process Analysis was used to identify weaknesses that could lead to loss of wellbore integrity; and a blowout preventer system was designed to mitigate this hazard. Second, contaminants in hydraulic fracturing fluids were identified and a mobile onsite wastewater treatment system using reverse osmosis was designed to remove fracturing chemicals, radium, and solids. Lastly, recommendations were made to improve the safety of natural gas recovery

CYCLE-UP OF MULTIPLE RIFTING EVENT MODELS: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REACH A STEADY STATE STRESS?

Many geological numerical models are initiated with a background stress state of zero. Often these numerical results are compared directly to geodetic data. Recent work (Kenner and Simons, 2004) has shown that modeled deformation rates can change as the model is cycled-up following repeated earthquakes or rifting events. In this study, we investigate model cycle-up in the context of time-dependent deformation following rifting during the 1975-1984 Krafla eruption in Iceland. We consider the number of rifting cycles required for complete cycle-up, variations in cycle-up time at different locations in the model, background stress magnitudes in fully cycled-up models, and errors incurred when the models are not properly cycled-up. The modeling is done using the commercial software ABAQUS. In ABAQUS a user-defined subroutine is used to apply repeated rifting events within the finite element model. We have generated various 3D models with different fault/rift geometries. The models include (1) a straight rift oriented perpendicular to the far-field velocity boundary conditions, (2) a rift oriented at an angle to the far-field velocities, (3) a model containing two intersecting rifts, one perpendicular to the far-field velocities and the other rift intersecting the first at an angle, and (4) overlapping rift segments in which the overlapped region is bounded by strike-slip faults

After-use of peat extraction sites – A systematic review of biodiversity, climate, hydrological and social impacts

After drainage for forestry and agriculture, peat extraction is one of the most important causes of peatland degradation. When peat extraction is ceased, multiple after-use options exist, including abandonment, restoration, and replacement (e.g., forestry and agricultural use). However, there is a lack of a global synthesis of after-use research. Through a systematic review of 356 peer-reviewed scientific articles, we address this research gap and examine (1) what after-use options have been studied, (2) what the studied and recognized impacts of the after-use options are, and (3) what one can learn in terms of best practices and research gaps. The research has concentrated on the impacts of restoration (N = 162), abandonment (N = 72), and replacement (N = 94), the latter of which consists of afforestation (N = 46), cultivation (N = 34) and creation of water bodies (N = 14). The studies on abandonment, restoration, and creation of water bodies have focused mostly on analyzing vegetation and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes, while the studies assessing afforestation and cultivation sites mostly evaluate the provisioning ecosystem services. The studies show that active restoration measures speed-up vegetation recolonization on bare peat areas, reduce GHG emissions and decrease negative impacts on water systems. The most notable research gap is the lack of studies comparing the environmental and social impacts of the after-use options. Additionally, there is a lack of studies focusing on social impacts and downstream hydrology, as well as long-term monitoring of GHG fluxes. Based on the reviewed studies, a comparison of the impacts of the after-use options is not straightforward. We emphasize a need for comparative empirical research in the extracted sites with a broad socio-ecological and geographical context

Biomass Resource Allocation for Bioenergy Production on Cutaway Peatlands with Geographical Information (GI) Analyses

Viime vuosina ruokohelven (Phalaris arundinacea) käyttö polttolaitoksissa on vähentynyt merkittävästi johtuen teknisistä ja taloudellisista haasteista. Tilanne johti siihen, että huomattava määrä myös turvetuotannosta vapautuvia suopohjia jäi pois intensiivisestä ruokohelven viljelystä. Tästä huolimatta suopohjia vapautuu edelleen tuhansia hehtaareja vuodessa, mikä tarjoaisi mahdollisuuden viljellä energiakasveja kestävästi ilman kilpailua ruoantuotannon kanssa. Työn tavoitteena oli arvioida vaihtoehtoista käyttöä suopohjille bioenergiantuotannon, eli tässä tapauksessa tuoreen ruokohelven kasvatuksen muodossa. Tutkimuksessa selvitettiin, mitkä olisivat tälle toiminnalle otollisimmat alueet kansallisella ja alueellisella tasolla, ja lopulta bioenergian tuotantolaitosten sijainninoptimointi tehtiin paikallisella tasolla suomalaisella tutkimusalueella. Tutkimuksessa selvisi, että tuoreena korjattu ruokohelpi voi olla kannattava energiakasvi suopohjilla, jos sen viljely on optimoitu. Perinteiseen polttoketjuun verrattuna tuorekorjattu ruokohelpi mahdollistaa suurempia biomassasaantoja, alemman ligniinipitoisuuden ja paremman sulavuuden biokaasuntuotannossa. Turvetuotantoalueiden soveltuvuutta arvioitaessa todettiin, että Suomessa vuoteen 2045 mennessä turvetuotannosta vapautuvasta suopohjasta teoreettisesti noin 300 km2 soveltuisi energiakasvien tuotantoon biokaasuntuotantoa varten. Tältä alueelta olisi mahdollista saada energiakasveja yli 100 Gg (kuiva-aine) vuodessa, mikä olisi bruttoenergiana n. 300 GWh. Erityisesti Pohjois- ja EteläPohjanmaa ovat potentiaalisia paikkoja, koska siellä on kansallisella tasolla paljon turvetuotantoalueita sekä mahdollisuuksia maatilakohtaisille biokaasulaitoksille. Niinpä jatkotutkimuksia tehtiin eteläpohjalaisella tutkimusalueella, jossa suopohjien omistajista hankittiin lisätietoja kyselylomakkeella ja havaittiin, että suopohjien maanomistajat ovat kiinnostuneita bioenergiaa kohtaan ja he suosivat metsänkasvatusta jälkikäyttömenetelmänä. Opinnäytetyön loppuosassa määritettiin usealle biomassavaihtoehdolle soveltuvien biokaasulaitosten ja puulle tarvittavien terminaalien sijainteja tutkimusalueella. R- ja ArcGIS-ohjelmistoilla löydettiin 13 maatilakohtaisen (> 100 kW) ja 8 keskitetyn biokaasulaitoksen (> 300 kW) sekä kahden potentiaalisen puuterminaalin optimaalinen sijainti. Näitä työkaluja voitaisiin soveltaa erilaisiin biomassoihin ja hyödyntää niitä bioenergialaitosten sijainnin suunnittelussa myös muissa maissa.In recent years, technical and economic challenges in combustion of spring harvested dry reed canary grass (RCG, Phalaris arundinacea) has led into a situation where a significant amount of cutaway peatlands were out of intensive RCG growing in Finland. At the same time, thousands of hectares of cutaway peatlands were released annually from peat extraction, which still would allow energy crop growing without competition with food production. The objective of this work was to assess alternative uses for the cutaway peatlands for fresh RCG growing for bioenergy production. It was studied where are the most favourable areas for such practices at national and regional level and finally location optimization of bioenergy plants was made in a local scale inside a Finnish study area. In this work, fresh harvested RCG was shown to be a feasible energy crop on the cutaway peatlands if the cultivation is optimized. Compared to the traditional RCG combustion, fresh harvested RCG can have higher biomass yields, lower lignin content and better digestibility in biogas process. Land suitability assessment showed that, theoretically, ca. 300 km2 of future cutaway peatlands are suitable for biogas energy crop production by 2045 in Finland. It could be possible to grow energy crops, over 100 Gg total solids (TS) a year and having biogas potential of ca. 300 GWh. Especially, North and South Ostrobothnia regions are potential locations for this practice due to high peat extraction intensity in national level. Consequently, the precise local potential of cutaway peatlands was studied also with a questionnaire in a case study area in South Ostrobothnia. It was found that landowners of the cutaway peatlands are interested in bioenergy production, and they usually prefer forestry as an after-use method. In the final part of the thesis, bioenergy plant location optimization was done with multiple feedstocks including a biogas plant scenario and a wood terminal scenario. The R and ArcGIS software programs were used to identify potential locations for 13 farmscale biogas plants (>100 kW) and 8 centralized biogas plants (>300 kW), and two potential wood terminals. These tools could be applied for different biomass resources and used in relevant decision makings to plan the locations of bioenergy plants in other countries as well. Keywords: Circular economy, decentralized renewable energy production, bioenergy planning, geographic information systems, location allocatio