Correlation between weather radar reflectivity and precipitation data collected by rain gauges al... more Correlation between weather radar reflectivity and precipitation data collected by rain gauges allows obtaining empirical formula that can be used to create continuous surface of the rainfall. This surface can be used in distributed hydrologic modeling and early warning system in flood management. In this study rain data from multiple weather stations were correlated with reflectivity values from the radar covering the area for each time interval of the selected rain event. Internet sources provided real-time precipitation data and images of weather radars for the continental United States, collected by United States Geological Survey (USGS) and National Oceanographic and Aeronautic Agency (NOAA). Database of 82 radar stations and more than 1500 rain gauges for the Continental part of USA was compiled and used for continuous downloading of radar images and rain data. Image sequences corresponding to rain events were extracted for two randomly selected radar stations in South and North Carolina. Rainfall data from multiple gauges under the radar zone (120 miles) were extracted and combined with corresponding reflectivity values for each time interval of the selected rain event. Results of regression analysis showed significant correlation between rain gauge data and radar reflectivity values and allowed derivation of empirical formula.
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 2010
ABSTRACT This study describes results of surveys with Schmidt hammer conducted after the earthqua... more ABSTRACT This study describes results of surveys with Schmidt hammer conducted after the earthquake of August 15, 2007 in coastal cities of Ica, Pisco, and Chincha, Peru. Statistical analysis included comparison of data on compressive strength collected from various types of buildings in damaged and intact walls and bricks. Results of statistical analysis suggest that architecture and nonstructural building design considerations in masonry structures may be more important determinants of seismic resistance than construction material strength. Comparison of mortar samples with respect to structure ownership revealed that strength of mortar at test locations in privately owned buildings was significantly greater than in public buildings.
Conservation of coastal lands reduces non-point source pollution loads into oceans and estuaries,... more Conservation of coastal lands reduces non-point source pollution loads into oceans and estuaries, retains natural areas and saves ecological communities from disappearance and change. A recent agreement for protection of Long Island Sound waters in New York and Connecticut established 30 environmental and management goals. One of them is establishment of a listing of existing undeveloped properties and their prioritization for natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation. The optimal prioritization approach poses strong constraints and methodological challenges on selection of data for analysis, assignment of a priority score to each property unit and the assessment of this assignment. To be a practical tool, the prioritization model should be reproducible and include a mechanism for evaluation of obtained prioritization scenarios. Presented study uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to assign conservation priority scores to unprotected and undeveloped parcels greater than five acres in size within New York’s Long Island Sound coastal area. The method combines spatial multi-criteria analysis and statistical methods. The results of this project include identification and prioritization of more than 700 undeveloped properties on New York coast. The most important finding of GIS analysis was the discovery of clusters of vacant parcels that together form large areas available for future conservation. These results offer new conservation tools and strategies to coastal managers and government in New York State.
Journal of The American Water Resources Association, 2000
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the spatially distributed mo... more ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the spatially distributed modeling of water flow during storm events. Distributed modeling of flow during storm events is an important basis for any environmental modeling, including turbidity or sediment transport. During the initial phase of a rainstorm, surface runoff is the main contributor of flow. To provide the spatial components for distributed hydrological modeling a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to map and visualize contributing areas around a stream channel. Stream segments were defined using the hydrologic response unit (HRU) concept. Lateral flows were derived from GIS output for each segment of the stream and at each time interval of the rain storm and were routed using the kinematic routing equation. This approach is new in hydrological modeling and can be used to enhance many existing simulations. The model is also unique in the fine time scale (i.e., intervals are on the order of minutes). Model results showed good correlation with measured discharge values; however, further studies of contributing area behavior, its relationship with soil types and slope categories, and the influence of watershed size are needed to improve model performance. This model will be used in the future as the basis to model turbidity in streams.
Correlation between weather radar reflectivity and precipitation data collected by rain gauges al... more Correlation between weather radar reflectivity and precipitation data collected by rain gauges allows obtaining empirical formula that can be used to create continuous surface of the rainfall. This surface can be used in distributed hydrologic modeling and early warning system in flood management. In this study rain data from multiple weather stations were correlated with reflectivity values from the radar covering the area for each time interval of the selected rain event. Internet sources provided real-time precipitation data and images of weather radars for the continental United States, collected by United States Geological Survey (USGS) and National Oceanographic and Aeronautic Agency (NOAA). Database of 82 radar stations and more than 1500 rain gauges for the Continental part of USA was compiled and used for continuous downloading of radar images and rain data. Image sequences corresponding to rain events were extracted for two randomly selected radar stations in South and North Carolina. Rainfall data from multiple gauges under the radar zone (120 miles) were extracted and combined with corresponding reflectivity values for each time interval of the selected rain event. Results of regression analysis showed significant correlation between rain gauge data and radar reflectivity values and allowed derivation of empirical formula.
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 2010
ABSTRACT This study describes results of surveys with Schmidt hammer conducted after the earthqua... more ABSTRACT This study describes results of surveys with Schmidt hammer conducted after the earthquake of August 15, 2007 in coastal cities of Ica, Pisco, and Chincha, Peru. Statistical analysis included comparison of data on compressive strength collected from various types of buildings in damaged and intact walls and bricks. Results of statistical analysis suggest that architecture and nonstructural building design considerations in masonry structures may be more important determinants of seismic resistance than construction material strength. Comparison of mortar samples with respect to structure ownership revealed that strength of mortar at test locations in privately owned buildings was significantly greater than in public buildings.
Conservation of coastal lands reduces non-point source pollution loads into oceans and estuaries,... more Conservation of coastal lands reduces non-point source pollution loads into oceans and estuaries, retains natural areas and saves ecological communities from disappearance and change. A recent agreement for protection of Long Island Sound waters in New York and Connecticut established 30 environmental and management goals. One of them is establishment of a listing of existing undeveloped properties and their prioritization for natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation. The optimal prioritization approach poses strong constraints and methodological challenges on selection of data for analysis, assignment of a priority score to each property unit and the assessment of this assignment. To be a practical tool, the prioritization model should be reproducible and include a mechanism for evaluation of obtained prioritization scenarios. Presented study uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to assign conservation priority scores to unprotected and undeveloped parcels greater than five acres in size within New York’s Long Island Sound coastal area. The method combines spatial multi-criteria analysis and statistical methods. The results of this project include identification and prioritization of more than 700 undeveloped properties on New York coast. The most important finding of GIS analysis was the discovery of clusters of vacant parcels that together form large areas available for future conservation. These results offer new conservation tools and strategies to coastal managers and government in New York State.
Journal of The American Water Resources Association, 2000
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the spatially distributed mo... more ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the spatially distributed modeling of water flow during storm events. Distributed modeling of flow during storm events is an important basis for any environmental modeling, including turbidity or sediment transport. During the initial phase of a rainstorm, surface runoff is the main contributor of flow. To provide the spatial components for distributed hydrological modeling a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to map and visualize contributing areas around a stream channel. Stream segments were defined using the hydrologic response unit (HRU) concept. Lateral flows were derived from GIS output for each segment of the stream and at each time interval of the rain storm and were routed using the kinematic routing equation. This approach is new in hydrological modeling and can be used to enhance many existing simulations. The model is also unique in the fine time scale (i.e., intervals are on the order of minutes). Model results showed good correlation with measured discharge values; however, further studies of contributing area behavior, its relationship with soil types and slope categories, and the influence of watershed size are needed to improve model performance. This model will be used in the future as the basis to model turbidity in streams.
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Papers by Yuri Gorokhovich