CE 1030 Paul Mathisen , D'04
Lab for week 5
Monitoring in Environmental Engineering
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Lab is to gain experience with the use of
field monitoring and data and models to solve environmental problems.
Each laboratory group will
concentrate on one measurement/monitoring aspect of environmental
engineering. When we are finished we will combine our results into a
data analyisis report.
Topics
The different types of analysis of interest include the
following:
- Rainfall analysis
- Depth and bathymetry analysis
- Velocity analysis
- Sediment analysis
- Nutrients analysis
A number of other types of analysis are of interest, but are not specific
requirements of this week's projects. These types of analysis
include topics such as:
- Geographical positioning
- Watershed characterization: Impervious area effects
- Watershed characterization: Land use effects
- Nutrients/Water Quality Analysis
Activities
When analyzing the results each group will proceed through the
following activities:
- Reviewing instrumentation
- Reviewing relevance for this project
- Working with specific instruments to assess applicability
- Developing recommendations for appropriate application
- Preparing and giving an oral presentation on your activities and the
lessons learned
- Preparing a written report describing your activities
BACKGROUND
Civil engineers working to protect the environment
frequently make use of "models" to understand the processes affecting
their problem. The effective use of these models requires an
understanding of the problem at hand. However, our ability to solve the
problem often depends on the accuracy of data that is available. The ways
in which we gather, utilize, analyze, and present our data are critical in
developing solutions to these problems. New technologies are currently
revolutionizing the nature and amounts of data that we have to work with.
As you proceed through your program of studies in civil and
environmental engineering you will learn a wide range of fundamental
techniques for environmental engineering analysis and design. In
addition, you will develop an understanding for how models can be used to
solve environmental problems. For the environmental engineering area, the
Department offers courses dealing with hydraulics, water treatment,
wastewater treatment, hydrology and environmental quality. There are also
opportunities to develop your design skills through MQP activities in your
senior year. All of these opportunities will make use of models and data.
It is hoped that this week will help to provide an awareness of some
of these considerations.
SCHEDULE
November 17 Intro to Environmental Modeling
November 18 Intro to hydrology and project
November 19 Field work - working with data
November 20 Field work - working with data
November 21 Working sessions
November 24 Discussion/presentations
November 25 Presentations and quiz.
DELIVERABLES
Team members will work together to prepare and submit a
PowerPoint presentation summarizing their findings related to the
accuracy of their field monitoring technique.
The submittals will be due on Tuesday, November 25th at the start of
class. At that time, each team will make an 8 minute presentation,
followed by 2 minutes of questions.
The presentation must include an overview of the data
component that the team considered, an assessment of its advantages
and disadvantages, and a recommendation regarding the accuracy.
Specific topics to be included are as follows:
- overview of technique
- the strategy that was used analyze the data;
- observations and data gathered;
- implications regarding modeling; and
- recommendations and conclusions.
The conclusions should address the overall value of the
instrumentation and recommendations for future mdoels.