Articles tagged with Hydraulic Engineering
A University of Houston professor is using artificial intelligence to connect roadway crash data, identifying pavement conditions associated with elevated crash risk. The study assesses pavement structure, surface condition, road geometry and crash records, helping transportation agencies select candidate pavement-safety projects.
A new study from Drexel University finds that decentralized stormwater management strategies can significantly reduce flooding volumes, with a 11-13% decrease. These efforts include rain barrels, cisterns and water-efficient fixtures, which help minimize the amount of water flowing into sewer systems.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an AI-driven framework to extract and analyze historical flood insurance maps, uncovering significant changes in flood hazard areas. The study reveals that flood risks have expanded in two areas and reduced in one, with critical consequences for resilience and exposure.
The new framework groups stations with similar hydrological behavior, reducing computational cost while maintaining high predictive accuracy. This approach enables scalable, data-efficient AI systems for water level forecasting, supporting flood early-warning systems, optimized reservoir and irrigation management, and improved decision...
Researchers have developed a new framework to detect possible damage in concealed cold-formed steel construction framing materials, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and artificial intelligence. The technology allows for rapid detection of damage, enabling inspectors to verify only flagged spots without removing walls or cladding.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed an AI-powered design methodology for gerotor pumps, achieving a 32.3% increase in average flow rate and reducing pressure fluctuation by 53.6%. This innovation has the potential to improve engine durability, lubrication, and cooling, leading to quieter operation and increased reli...
The Kansas Flood Mapping Dashboard uses stream gauge data and terrain-based models to generate flood inundation maps, providing critical information for emergency management. The dashboard is a result of collaborative research efforts between KU researchers and state agencies, utilizing science and research for the benefit of the state.
Researchers from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have identified US dams with the highest probability of overtopping, classified as large and high hazard. The study found an increasing trend in critical overtopping probabilities and a decline in non-critical overtopping probabilities since 1973.
A new study presents an integrated model that evaluates flood risks to people's life and property in the lower Yellow River under various floodplain management modes. The model accurately simulates highly sediment-laden floods and assesses vulnerability to extreme flooding.
Prof. Günter Blöschl's research has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change and reveals that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to historical records.
A study of 17,972 wells in Brazil reveals that more than half of the country's rivers could suffer reduced flow due to groundwater seepage. The São Francisco River basin and MATOPIBA region are particularly critical areas, with intensive agricultural activity and climate change exacerbating the problem.
A machine learning model predicts soil behavior during earthquakes, identifying areas vulnerable to liquefaction and providing contour maps for safer construction sites. The study uses geological data to create detailed 3D maps of soil layers, improving prediction accuracy by 20%.
Researchers used satellite images to derive a global dataset of river width data, expanding the understanding of at-a-station hydraulic geometry. The study found that a 1% increase in discharge leads to a median 0.2% increase in river width worldwide, with weaker responses in areas with cohesive soil and high forest coverage.
Researchers create interlocking glass bricks that can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks, aiming to reduce embodied carbon in construction. The 3D-printed bricks are designed to be reused and repurposed, promoting a circular construction method.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that traditional stormwater infrastructure design can exacerbate flooding during severe weather events. The problem lies in the failure to recognize flood connectivity, leading to unanticipated interactions between different stormwater systems.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a lightweight fluidic engine that can power muscle-mimicking soft robots for use in assistive devices. The new engine generates significant force and is untethered to an external power source, making it particularly attractive for improving people's ability to move their upp...
Researchers at Drexel University model the potential extent of flooding and combined sewer overflows in Camden, New Jersey, as climate change exacerbates the problem. The team's 'all-pipes' model simulates stormwater flows through every surface and pipe in the area, providing a unique solution to mitigate environmental and health risks.
The two-year program will help recruit, teach, and graduate the next generation of water pipeline managers. The GLWA faces significant employee recruitment, training, and retention challenges due to technological advances in the water sector.
Researchers review advances and challenges in applying SLA to evaluate unconventional reservoirs, highlighting its simplicity and convenience. The study proposes modifications to address reservoir heterogeneity and suggests combining SLA with machine learning algorithms for improved accuracy.
A recent study by Drexel University shows that sound waves can reveal the composition of buried water lines, allowing for the speedy removal of lead service lines. The technique uses ultrasonic stress wave propagation to detect unique acoustic signatures for each type of pipe, making it a promising alternative to invasive testing methods.
A team of scientists discovered that fractures propagate in starts and stops, moving through materials at high speeds. The amplitude and time between jumps depend on the viscosity of the liquid injected into the rock.
Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.
A Japanese research team developed a four-meter-long, remotely controllable flying firehose robot called the Dragon Firefighter. It can safely and efficiently extinguish fires by directly approaching flames. The robot will be deployed in real-world firefighting scenarios after approximately 10 more years of development.
Researchers at WVU develop a cotreatment process that reduces demand for chemicals to soften wastewater, allowing treated water to be reused up to 99% of its original volume. The study's findings offer a potential solution to the industry's water use challenge and could close the cycle of treating cooling tower blowdown and reusing it.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
Researchers at Lancaster University demonstrate the viability of tidal power as a predictable renewable energy source. The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to meet future demand and storage problems, protecting coastal areas from flooding and sea level rise.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
A new computational tool can generate an optimal design for a complex fluidic device without requiring manual assumptions about its shape. The system uses anisotropic materials to represent tiny voxels, allowing it to create smooth curves and intricate designs that other methods cannot.
A study has mapped streamflow alterations across the continental US, using measurements from over 7,000 stream gauges. The dataset provides valuable data for determining societal impacts on ecosystems and setting environmental flow standards.
Rice University mechanical engineers repurpose deceased spiders as small-scale, naturally derived grippers. The spiders can lift more than 130% of their own body weight and perform tasks like sorting or moving objects around. Future research will focus on testing the concept with smaller spiders.
Researchers at Rice University have created a system that uses the physiology of deceased spiders to create small-scale grippers. The spiders' unique hydraulic system allows them to lift and manipulate objects, making them a promising technology for pick-and-place tasks and capturing smaller insects in nature.
The £1 million HAROLD 2.0 test rig will enhance the facility's functionality with real-time train braking performance models and a fully functional AC power bogie, enabling analysis of on-train systems and novel hybrid drivetrains.
KAUST researchers have found that even low-speed solid-liquid impacts can cause cavitation and generate damaging shock waves. This challenges previous assumptions about the effects of such impacts. The team used high-speed cameras to study the impact of a flat-bottomed cylinder on a pool of liquid, observing that pressures below a cert...
Researchers developed electrically-driven soft valves to control hydraulic soft actuators, enabling faster and more powerful control of macro- and small-scale hydraulic actuators. The breakthrough allows for unprecedented motion control of soft robots with internal volume ranging from hundreds of microliters to tens of milliliters.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University researchers found that floods in most UK areas no longer follow historical patterns due to climate change and human intervention. This challenges traditional flood frequency analysis methods, which may lead to underestimation of flood peaks and catastrophic consequences.
Panayiotis 'Panos' Diplas, a Lehigh University professor, has been awarded the 2021 Hunter Rouse Hydraulic Engineering Award for his fundamental contributions to turbulence in sediment transport and ecohydraulics. The award is presented by ASCE's Environmental and Water Resources Institute.
Historical documents reveal that mathematician Mitsuyoshi Yoshida was invited by the Kumamoto clan to stay in Kumamoto from Kyoto between 1636 and 1637. He brought cutting-edge knowledge of arithmetic systems, civil engineering, and hydraulic technologies. The documents also show that he will be paid for his services, including rice pr...
The new electrohydraulic valve train achieves significantly lower energy requirements and flexible gas exchange, adapting to changing fuel properties and enabling easier implementation of renewable fuels. The system also features an oil-free cylinder head, utilizing a water-glycol mixture for fast-switching hydraulic systems.
HyQReal, the latest version of hydraulic-powered quadruped robots, successfully pulled a 3300kg small passenger airplane at Genova Airport. The robot features increased ruggedness, reliability, and energy efficiency compared to previous versions.
A team of scientists successfully controlled induced seismicity during a deep geothermal stimulation in Finland using near-real-time monitoring. The approach allowed for prompt adjustment of pumping rates and pressure, ensuring the successful completion of the project.
A research group from the University of Córdoba found that remote control watering systems have been successfully implemented in most water users associations in Spain, but issues with maintenance and adaptation remain. The systems have shown to facilitate life in rural areas, but also revealed problems with their use and effectiveness.
Assistant Professor Nick Fang will receive $150,000 to help the Corps produce highly accurate hydrologic and hydraulic models. The project aims to create models that can map floodplains and aid in planning construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
Researchers have found a unique biological hydraulic system in the median fins of Pacific bluefin and yellowfin tuna, which enables fine adjustment of fin shape and position to generate precise control during swimming and turning maneuvers. This system may enhance design in sailing vessels and autonomous vehicles.
A new study reveals that tuna's precise control over their fins is enabled by the hydraulic activity of their lymphatic system. This specialization is also observed in other scombrid species, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to high-performance swimming needs.
Researchers will develop a mechanical model to explain the behavior of dike swarms using 'swarm theory' from biology. This new approach aims to improve oil and gas stimulation methods, benefiting industry and society with lower energy costs and reduced environmental impact.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a remote-control rescue robot with improved operability and mobility for disaster situations. The robot features advanced technologies, including force control, vibration feedback, and long-range imaging, to enhance the operator's experience.
Researchers have developed mathematical models that can ensure new pipeline systems are designed economically and efficiently. The models use computational fluid dynamics to predict the optimum design for hydraulic capsule pipelines, which can convey bulk solids effectively.
Lehigh University has received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to improve infrastructure resilience and sustainability. The award supports research using Lehigh's ATLSS facilities, which will conduct real-time structural experiments to evaluate engineering designs and materials during natural disasters.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) project developed an innovative hybrid-electric powertrain for road sweepers, reducing energy consumption by 45% compared to diesel-powered vehicles. The new system also decreases CO2 emissions by 60%, thanks to natural gas's lower carbon content.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new steering technology that eliminates valves and uses advanced algorithms to precisely control hydraulic pumps, resulting in a 43% increase in fuel efficiency. The system also shows improved machine productivity and reduced operator fatigue.
The NJIT Flood Mitigation Engineering Resource Center will investigate alternative measures for flood mitigation in the Hackensack/Moonachie/Little Ferry area. The project aims to enhance existing efforts and provide a comprehensive strategy for protecting citizens from future floods through innovative engineering measures.
Purdue University researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of real-time hybrid simulations for testing magnetorheological-fluid dampers, which can reduce structural damage during earthquakes. The simulations allow for reliable and efficient testing of these devices, enabling the optimization of building design and construction.
USDA researchers are exploring high-resolution digital panoramas to study landscape changes in rangelands. By creating detailed images, scientists can track wildlife populations, invasive plant species, and monitor riparian areas.
Researchers designed a floating barrier with two rows of pilings to protect levees from wave action, dissipating 75% of wave energy. The design was more effective and cost-efficient than previous methods.
A team of experts at UCL is creating a controlled environment to study the effects of tsunamis on buildings and coastlines. The new tsunami generator will replicate devastating waves, allowing researchers to design structures better equipped to withstand their impact.
A study by Sverdrup et al. found that men highly exposed to motor or hydraulic oil have a 30% higher risk of developing RA than unexposed men, with increased risks also seen for 'rheumatoid factor positive' and 'anti-citrulline positive' types.
A team of four Johns Hopkins University students adapted a tractor for use by people with disabilities, including those who are paraplegic. The modifications included a hydraulic lift, hand-controlled throttle, and mechanical device to enable drivers without disabilities to operate the tractor.
A recent study by Margolis and Shim found that a small movement of the mechanical controls in backhoes can lead to rapid vibration, causing operators to lose control. The problem can be eliminated by stiffening the suspension of the cab or developing automatic control systems.