Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemSustainability and circular economy as part of strategic goals of businesses in Australia: Preliminary findings(Department of Infrastructure Engineering, 2022-09-27)
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ItemCharacterizing dominant hydrological processes under uncertainty: evaluating the interplay between model structure, parameter sampling, error metrics, and data information content( 2020-03-23)<p>Hydrological models are conventionally evaluated in terms of their response surface or likelihood surface constructed with the model parameter space. To evaluate models as hypotheses, we developed the method of <em>Flux Mapping</em> to construct a hypothesis space based on model process representation. Here we defined the hypothesis space based on dominant runoff generating mechanisms, and acceptable model runs are defined as total simulated flow with similar (and minimal) model error simulated by distinct combinations of runoff components. We demonstrate that the hypothesis space in each modeling case is the result of interplay between the factors of model structure, parameter sampling, choice of error metric, and data information content. The aim of this study is to disentangle the role of each factor in this interplay. We used two model structures (SACRAMENTO and SIMHYD), two parameter sampling approaches (small samples based on guided-search and large samples based on Latin Hypercube Sampling), three widely used error metrics (NSE, KGE, and WIA &#8212; Willmott&#8217;s Index of Agreement), and hydrological data from a range of Australian catchments. First, we characterized how the three error metrics behave under different error regimes independent of any modeling. We then conducted a series of controlled experiments, i.e. a type of one-factor-at-a-time sensitivity analysis, to unpack the role of each factor in runoff simulation. We show that KGE is a more reliable error metric compared to NSE and WIA for model evaluation. We also argue that robust error metrics and sufficient parameter sampling are necessary conditions for evaluating models as hypotheses under uncertainty. We particularly argue that sampling sufficiency, regardless of the sampling strategy, should be further evaluated based on its interaction with other modeling factors determining the model response. We conclude that the interplay of these modeling factors is complex and unique to each modeling case, and hence generalizing model-based inferences should be done with caution particularly in characterizing hydrological processes in large-sample hydrology.</p>
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ItemLessons Learned from PCM Embedded Radiant Chilled Ceiling Experiments in Melbourne(Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, 2021-09-14)Buildings are responsible for over a third of energy consumption worldwide, particularly for the increasing demand of air-conditioners in response to the more extreme heat around the globe. It is imperative to move towards more energy-efficient space cooling alternatives. The integration of phase change material (PCM) with a radiant chilled ceiling (RCC) is a promising technology due to its benefits regarding energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. This article presents a field study conducted on a newly-developed PCM embedded radiant chilled ceiling (PCM-RCC) installed in a stand-alone cabin located in Melbourne. The study evaluates the thermal and energy performance of the system through investigation of the transient thermal behaviour of PCM panels in charging-discharging cycles, the indoor comfort conditions, and the electricity peak demand. It was observed that the proposed PCM-RCC can provide satisfactory comfort conditions and contribute to load shifting if a refined operating strategy is applied. The efficiency of PCM recharge overnight depends on several factors that need to be carefully considered in design. The challenges related to the implementation of optimal operating dynamic schedules in response to the thermal behaviour of PCM-RCC, and accurate weather forecasting should be addressed to realise the full potential of this technology.
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ItemCoupling spectral and phase-resolving wave model for forecasting of extreme waves in wind seas(American Society of Civil Engineers, 2018-01-01)"Freak" or "Rogue" waves, when single individual wave height exceed two times of the significant wave height (Hi>2Hs), has been considered as one of the most dangerous sea states. Freak waves are believed to have caused many catastrophes, which result in ship damage and human casualties (Kharif and Pelinovsky, 2003). Occurrence of such waves are extremely unlikely according to Rayleigh distribution (Dean, 1990), however, in real ocean conditions occurrence of such events are higher than commonly used distributions. The main objective of this study is the coupling of Spectral WaveWatch III (WW3) model and phase resolving wave models, which will advance the application of the third generation wave models one-step further and increase the precision of model outputs and forecasting of such "unlikely" extreme conditions.
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ItemOptimisation of a seasonal thermal energy storage system for space heating in cold climate zones(AAEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC), 2018-10-04)The parameter optimised for a seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) system based on life cycle cost (LCC) is a unique investigation. Although STES with ground coupled heat pump (GCHP) and solar collector system have been verified and validated in other countries, the result cannot be used for particular cold climates because the performance of the system is highly climate sensitive. Therefore, this study intends to fill the knowledge gap by identifying optimum sets of system variables for four selected cities in cold climate zones.