Conservancy Engineering Research Articles

Locking organic solvents by crystallization-induced polymer network

Organogels that lock organic solvents within a polymer network shows promising applications in ice-phobicity, anti-biofouling, conserving cultural heritage etc. However, the synthesis of organogels by versatile and cost-effective methods still remain challenging. Here, we introduce a novel and economical approach to organogel preparation via crystallization-induced polymer precipitation, which involves the straightforward blending of carbonyl contained polymer, nano Ca(OH)2, and excess ethyl acetate (EA). During the formation, nano Ca(OH)2 reacts with EA to produce ethanol and calcium acetate, in which Ca2+ ionically bonds with carbonyl of polymer. Due to the low solubility in EA and ethanol, calcium acetate initiates crystallization. The interaction between Ca(CH3COO)2 and polymer induces the separation of polymer from the solvent, thereby forming a network that locks the surplus EA and ethanol. More importantly, the organogel is capable not only of encapsulating 12 organic solvents within its precursor but also of effectively removing various aged polymeric coatings from wall paintings without leaving residues. This innovative organogel system marks a significant forward in the realm of organogel with applications in conservation and surface engineering.

Identification of driving mechanisms of actual evapotranspiration in the Yiluo River Basin based on structural equation modeling

BackgroundActual evapotranspiration (ETa) is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle. It serves as a vital link between the soil–vegetation–atmosphere continuum. Quantifying the leading factors of regional ETa change and revealing the multi-factor compound driving mechanism of ETa evolution is necessary. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been widely used to study the structural relationships between variables in large-scale areas. However, there is an urgent need for more in-depth exploration of these complex relationships at the grid scale. Therefore, the Yiluo River Basin, a representative area of soil and water conservation engineering demonstration in the Loess Plateau, was selected as the study area, and the SEM at the basin scale and grid-scale were constructed to carry out the research.ResultsThe data indicate that ETa decreased at 1.97 mm per year at the watershed scale from 1982 to 2020. Climate change had the greatest impact on the change of ETa in the watershed, with a total impact coefficient of over 0.9. The direct impact of climate change on ETa increased by 0.571 from 1982–1992 to 1993–2020. The direct impact coefficients of vegetation cover and soil moisture decreased by 0.402 and 0.102, respectively, while the impact coefficient of the water body factors increased by 0.096. At the scale of individual grid cells, the ETa in the watershed was affected by changes in watershed climate, vegetation, and soil moisture, with contributions ranging from − 0.31 to 0.22, − 1.09 to − 0.08, and 0.61 to 0.90, respectively. Spatially, vegetation and soil moisture had a stronger impact on ETa in the upstream area, while climate change had a negative effect, and the downstream region had the opposite effect. Furthermore, the regulatory impact of large reservoirs mitigated the response of water surface evaporation to climate change in the upstream region.ConclusionsThe application of SEM at different spatial and temporal scales has effectively quantified the driving mechanisms behind actual evapotranspiration in the Yiluo River Basin, while visually representing the spatial distribution characteristics of various influencing factors on ETa. This research provides a theoretical foundation for studying slope water consumption processes and circulation mechanisms.

Analysis of Imperfection in Water Conservancy Engineering from the Perspective of Engineering Sociology

Analysis of Imperfection in Water Conservancy Engineering from the Perspective of Engineering Sociology

A study on the response of waterbird diversity to habitat changes caused by ecological engineering construction

Wetland degradation is a major factor in the decline of biodiversity. Ecological engineering construction efforts, such as water diversion, have been the main method of wetland restoration. To reveal the effects of biodiversity conservation and ecological engineering construction in the semiarid regions of China, waterbird surveys were carried out 2 years before and 8 years after the construction of the ecological engineering project discussed in this study. The relationships among waterbirds and habitat landscape patterns, hydrology and vegetation conditions were analyzed. The impacts of ecological engineering on habitats and waterbird diversity were revealed. The results showed that (1) there were significant changes in land use, hydrological distributions and vegetation cover in the study area before and after the construction of the ecological project. The quality of waterbird habitats after the construction project was better than that before construction. However, there were fluctuating conditions. (2) The areas of water bodies and marshes were positively correlated with the number and diversity of waterbirds. However, increases in arable land, forestland, grassland and saline land can stress rare waterbirds. Changes in water levels, water body areas and vegetation cover in the conservation area all directly affect the availability of waterbird habitats, which can affect waterbird diversity. The wetland water level is the most important impact factor. (3) The annual water diversion volume in the study area is 5.00 × 107 m3. When the water level is maintained at approximately 1.5-2.5m, the number of waterbirds remains stable. This study can provide scientific guidance and a methodological basis for the construction of ecological projects with waterbirds as protected targets.

A Study on the Construction and Evaluation of the Water Resource Reutilization System for Farmland Diversion and Drainage

Water is an essential resource for both rural and agricultural areas; it can be wisely distributed and used in the field to protect daily life, production, the natural environment, and the safety and stability of regional drainage and flood control systems. Our research selected a typical plains rural river network area with agriculture as the main industry to investigate the most effective method of farmland diversion and drainage. We comprehensively planned and transformed the water system flow, water conservation engineering, and the ecological environment in the irrigation area through the reutilization system. The reutilization system’s operation and scheduling design is implemented for four specific periods: the water replenishment cycle, agricultural irrigation, agricultural drainage and the rainy period of the flood season. The research period ranges from 2020 to 2023 after the completion of the system. We used monitoring, the recording of hydraulic equipment parameters and data collection to evaluate the balance of water supply and demand in the study area. At the same time, we have tracked and evaluated the four aspects of water quality enhancement, water conservation and flood control, and agricultural irrigation. The results show that the total agricultural water consumption decreased by 2.9%, and the amount of water saved increased by 9.6%. The current segment creates the rivers’ embankment standards. With a 92% irrigation guarantee rate, the current section forms and the embankment standards of the rivers satisfy the design storage volume and the flood level of one in twenty years. The water quality of all the rivers in the area has decreased by 5~10% compared to the average concentration prior to establishment. This study verifies the comprehensive effect and the suitability of the system by comparing the before and after effects, and provides a scientific basis for the method of efficient recycling and utilization of water resources in the rural plains river network area; we also propose the guidance of increasing the digital twin control and long-term operation mechanism to ensure the long-term stable operation of the technology.

Research on Automated Modeling Technology of Sluice Gate Project Based on BIM Technology.

In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the modeling and design work of the sluice gate project, this paper proposes an automatic generation template of the sluice gate project with customized semantics and project layout scheme, aiming at realizing the rapid assembling of all kinds of components of the sluice gate project. In the construction process, this paper first starts from basic parametric modeling and proposes constraints as the basis of modeling. Subsequently, a template library framework is developed based on the constraints to ensure that the generated templates have a high degree of standardization and consistency. Finally, an efficient and flexible template library is successfully constructed by using the customized classes and functions of Revit API, which provides powerful technical support for the modeling and design work of sluice gate engineering. This achievement helps to promote the informationization and intelligent development of the water conservancy engineering industry, and its versatility and scalability also make it have a wide range of application prospects in other water conservancy engineering fields.

Numerical simulation of pressure loss and flow characteristics in combined elbow pipes for solid-liquid two-phase flow.

The transport of solid-liquid two-phase flow is widely used in water conservancy, environmental protection, and municipal engineering. Accurate pressure loss calculation is crucial for hydraulic transport pipelines, particularly in the case of bends, valves, and other deformation parts. These factors directly impact the energy consumption and the investment of the system. This paper employed the Euler-Euler multiphase flow model to investigate the characteristics of solid-liquid two-phase flow in vertically positioned combined elbows. The model was initially validated using data from the literature. Subsequently, based on the validated model, an investigation was conducted to determine the relationship between pressure loss and various factors, including flow velocity, combined angle, particle concentration, and particle size. Finally, the changes in velocity distribution, particle concentration, and turbulent kinetic energy were analyzed. The results indicate that the pressure loss increases with the flow velocity, tends to decrease with the combined angle, and increases with the particle concentration. The relationship between pressure loss and particle size is more complex. The velocity distribution, particle concentration, and turbulent kinetic energy exhibit the variations caused by different factors.

Practice and Exploration of Water Resources Teaching Reform in Colleges and Universities

The water conservancy engineering profession has an important position in the current social development, this paper comprehensively discusses the background, challenges and coping strategies of water conservancy teaching reform in colleges and universities, as well as the future development trend of teaching. Under the background of the new period, the teaching reform of water conservancy in colleges and universities is imperative, so it focuses on the innovation of teaching concepts and contents, the construction of practical teaching bases, as well as suggestions on improving the evaluation system. Finally, the prospects of the application of information technology teaching means and the impact of cross-disciplinary integration on the teaching reform of water conservancy are also discussed.

Effect of Gastrodia elata Bl Cultivation under Forest Stands on Runoff, Erosion, and Nutrient Loss

(1) Background: The understory planting of Chinese herbal medicine is a common soil and water conservation farming measure, and this approach makes full use of the natural conditions of the understory. However, a large number of studies on soil erosion have focused on the simulation of natural indoor conditions, and there are very few investigations on soil erosion caused by understory planting in the field. This study aims to investigate the effects of different slopes on soil and water and nitrogen–phosphorus nutrient loss from understory planting of Gastrodia elata Bl by changing the vegetation structure and soil structure of forest land. (2) Methods: To reveal the nitrogen and phosphorus loss and flow and sediment characteristics of the understory planting of Gastrodia elata Bl, runoff plots were set up in a field, and three surface slopes (5°, 15°, and 20°) were designed to collect runoff sediments and compare the soil and water loss between the natural slopes and those with Gastrodia elata Bl. This provides a basis for the restoration of vegetation cover and the enhancement of soil fertility. (3) Results: The total loss of soil, water, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the forested land with Gastrodia elata Bl increased significantly compared with that in the natural forested land, and the greater the slope was, the greater the loss was. (4) Conclusions: Planting Gastrodia elata Bl should be avoided in areas with steep slopes and serious soil erosion. However, some soil and water conservation engineering measures can be taken, such as the construction of retaining walls, drainage ditches, etc., to minimize the scouring and erosion of soil by rainwater.

The influence of reservoir water level on the hydraulic characteristics of spillway tunnel

Abstract The spillway tunnel for water discharging is very important in water conservancy and hydropower engineering. Spillway tunnel with inclined and elbow part near the outlet can be more easily adapted to the topographic and geological conditions than that near the inlet, and can limit the cavitation damage to the short tunnel near outlet. Therefore, it has been widely used in the case of discharging water with high head and large discharge. Cavitation induced by high speed flow may cause severe damage to the spillway tunnel surface. And aeration is a common measure for surface protection. Study on the hydraulic characteristics of water-air two-phase flow is of great significance for improving aeration effect. In this paper, the velocity, depth of water and Froude Number of spillway tunnel under different reservoir water levels are studied by using VOF method. The results show that the Froude Number decreases at first and then increases as reservoir water level becomes lower.

Study on the pulsation and fluid-structure coupling characteristics of rotating parts of vane type mixed-flow pump

Abstract Vane type mixed flow pumps (VTMFP) are widely used in water conservancy engineering, with a wide range of head applications. The impeller is the core component of the pump unit, and its internal flow and hydraulic excitation force affect the safe and stable operation of the unit. Aiming the pulsation characteristics inside the impeller, the VTMFP under different conditions is studied to examine the deformation and stress distribution by CFD, and the simulated results agree with the test data. The simulated results indicate that the impeller blade passing frequency consistently dominates the impeller inlet under various operating conditions. Furthermore, it is observed that the impeller rotating parts experience the highest levels of stress and deformation at low flow rate. The distribution of the equivalent force decreases from the hub to the shroud, while the deformation displacement decreases from the impeller shroud to the hub. In light of these findings, it is recommended that the design process takes into consideration the stress concentration near the blade root and the deformation at the blade edge.

Advances in Hydrodynamics of Water Pump Station System

As an indispensable part of water conservancy engineering construction, the importance of pumping stations is reflected in several aspects [...]

Enhancing GNSS Deformation Monitoring Forecasting with a Combined VMD-CNN-LSTM Deep Learning Model

Hydraulic infrastructures are susceptible to deformation over time, necessitating reliable monitoring and prediction methods. In this study, we address this challenge by proposing a novel approach based on the combination of Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) methods for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) deformation monitoring and prediction modeling. The VMD method is utilized to decompose the complex deformation signals into intrinsic mode functions, which are then fed into a CNN method for feature extraction. The extracted features are input into an LSTM method to capture temporal dependencies and make predictions. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed VMD-CNN-LSTM method exhibits an improvement by about 75%. This research contributes to the advancement of deformation monitoring technologies in water conservancy engineering, offering a promising solution for proactive maintenance and risk mitigation strategies.

The Main Impact Factors for the Propagation from Meteorological Drought to Socio-Economic Drought from the Perspective of a Small Area, Based on a Practical Survey

Drought is one of the most frequent types of natural disasters in the world, and it has been classified into several different categories. Generally, meteorological drought is considered to be the beginning of a drought disaster, while socio-economic drought is the possible ultimate result. However, controversy remains around the main impact factors in the propagation from meteorological drought to socio-economic drought over the past decades. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of the 2022 drought event in the city of Lishui, China was conducted to build a model for analyzing the main impact factors in the propagation from meteorological drought to socio-economic drought. The results showed that the 2022 drought event had a great impact on the city’s socio-economic activities. According to governmental reports on socio-economic drought and basic information on water sources, a random forest attribution analysis model was built. The model demonstrated a great performance in distinguishing whether a socio-economic drought had occurred, with an accuracy of 0.9935, a true positive rate of 0.9489 and a false positive rate of 0.0021. Additionally, the variables related to water sources—including drainage area, covered population and daily water supply volume—were found to be more important than the other variables related to meteorological conditions in the model, meaning that the capacity of water sources is the main impact factor in the propagation between meteorological drought and socio-economic drought. In other words, it is feasible to prevent the propagation of meteorological drought to socio-economic drought through water conservancy engineering construction.

Automatic measurement of water infiltration into the soil

ABSTRACT In hydrological modeling and for the development of projects related to soil and water conservation and civil engineering, determination of water infiltration variables into the soil plays a key role. However, measuring infiltration with manual infiltrometers is work-intensive and requires several people, which casts doubts on the consistency of the process description. Our objective was to develop automated and compact systems for data acquisition by double-concentric-ring and Cornell infiltrometers. The systems are based on air differential pressure sensors and microcontrollers using open-source software and a simple construction. We developed ten sets of automatic infiltrometers for each method that were properly calibrated. The equipment was validated in the field, and the alignment of the automatically measured with the hand-measured infiltration data was considered satisfactory. The proposed systems make data records of infiltration and associated variables possible, with less operator dependence than manual measurement strategies. In addition, the enhanced resolution resulting from infiltrometer automation makes the infiltration curve more representative, especially in the initial infiltration stage.

Application of the Tracer Test in a Hydrogeological Survey for a Pumped Storage Power Station

In areas with complex hydrogeological conditions, the tracer test method is often used as an effective means in hydrogeological surveys. According to the results of tracer tests, hydrogeological parameters, including hydraulic gradient and permeability coefficient, fracture network leakage passages and their scale, and groundwater flow rate and direction can be quantitatively determined. This paper takes the upper reservoir of Yongxin Pumped Storage Power Station in Jiangxi Province as the research object, and focuses on the complex hydrogeological conditions of the upper reservoir. Three sets of tracer tests and multiple sets of single-hole flow rate and direction tests were conducted on the left and right banks of the reservoir and near surface gullies. The results showed that ZKS18 received tracers in all three tests, which indicates a close hydraulic connection between ZKS18 and the left bank, right bank, and surface gullies within the reservoir. Based on the single or multiple peak values of the tracer, it was determined that there are 1–6 leakage passages in the fractured rocks, with leakage passage sizes of 0.1–0.4 mm. According to the single-hole flow rate and flow direction tests, a self-developed instrument was used to determine the groundwater flow rate and flow direction at different depths in the test holes, which yielded results that were basically consistent with the results of the three-hole method. These results provide a basis for the use of tracer tests in hydrogeological surveys for water conservancy and hydropower engineering, and anti-seepage design of upper reservoirs.

Innovative Module Design for Advanced Automated Irrigation Systems

Aim:The paper aims to develop a soil moisture sensor utilizing copper material to enhance irrigation efficiency in regions like India. Calibration using the gravimetric method showcased the sensor's superior performance across various soil types. Integrated with an Arduino platform, an automated irrigation module was successfully tested. The developed system offers a practical solution for automated irrigation, even in water-scarce environments.
 Methodology: The study conducted in the Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Laboratory involved fabricating a soil moisture sensor with copper material. The experimental setup comprised four units: power supply, sensing, controller, and display. Calibration involved the standard gravimetric method to establish a linear equation correlating moisture sensor readings with soil moisture content.
 Results: Calibration revealed a linear relationship between the developed sensor's analog values and soil moisture content. Validation against the gravimetric method demonstrated high accuracy across the tested soil types and depths. Statistical analysis yielded low RMSE values (1.02, 1.013, and 1.022), high R² values, and a satisfactory NSE (0.90, 0.90, 0.89), confirming the sensor's reliability and precision.
 Conclusion: The developed soil moisture sensor, validated through rigorous testing, demonstrates superior performance across tested soil types. Integrated into an automated irrigation module, it offers an efficient solution for irrigation automation, contributing to water conservation and improved crop productivity.

Analysis of Water Conservancy Engineering Construction Technology and Quality Control

At the present stage, the development of social economy and science and technology has promoted the prosperity of Chinese water conservancy construction undertakings, some of which water conservancy engineering construction projects have obtained a high level of in- ternational attention and attention. To continue to promote the rapid development of water conservancy construction in our country, it is neces- sary to optimize and perfect construction technology, and strengthen the implementation of quality control measures, to improve the integrity of water conservancy project construction quality. Therefore, this paper briefly analyzes the construction technology and construction quality control of water conservancy projects for reference.

An Evaluation System of the Modernization Level of Irrigation Districts with an Analysis of Obstacle Factors: A Case Study for North China

Irrigation districts are a pivotal infrastructure of agricultural water conservancy engineering. Implementing modernization will be the main task of large-scale irrigation districts for a considerable amount of time in the future. In this study, four typical large-scale irrigation districts in North China were investigated: the Renmin Shengliqu, Weishan, Shijin, and Zuncun irrigation districts. The concept of a modern irrigation district was deconstructed to establish an evaluation index system which includes four second-level indicators, twelve third-level indicators, and thirty fourth-level indicators. A hybrid approach based on AHP and OWA was used to quantify indicator weights used in group decision making. TOPSIS was introduced to measure the modernization level of the four irrigation districts. An obstacle factor diagnosis model was applied to search for key obstacle factors that will affect the modernization and improvement of the irrigation districts. The results showed that (1) the modernization levels of the Renmin Shengliqu, Weishan, Shijin, and Zuncun irrigation districts in 2020 and 2025 were 0.3916 and 0.5755, 0.3748 and 0.5396, 0.4493 and 0.6012, and 0.2343 and 0.6166, respectively. The evaluation results indicate that the four irrigation districts are still in the beginning phase (or even preparation phase) of the modernization process. (2) Eight indicators were identified as the main common obstacle factors for the four evaluated irrigation districts, including the irrigation water-use efficiency factor, the coverage proportion of information technology, the proportion of efficient water conservation irrigation areas, and so on. (3) There are two effective methods to enhance the modernization level of the four irrigation districts: improving water resource utilization efficiency and strengthening the management system with an emphasis on informatization. The present study can enrich the theoretical evaluation of irrigation districts and provide a scientific basis for the modernized construction and management of irrigation districts in China.

Preface

Applied Mechanics and Physics is closely related to people’s life, and the quality of civil engineering directly affects people’s life and personal safety, and affects the development of society to a great extent. Therefore, it is very necessary to analyze the development status of Applied Mechanics and Physics, to improve the problems existing in the development of Applied Mechanics and Physics.This book contains the proceedings of the 2023 International Conference on Applied Mechanics and Physics which was held on December 23, 2023, as a hybrid conference (both physically and online via Zoom) at Nanchang Institute of Technology in Nanchang, China. The conference is hosted by Nanchang Institute of Technology and Civil Engineering Academy of Jiangxi Province, co-organized by Journal of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Key Laboratory for Safety of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering Infrastructure in Jiangxi Province, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Road Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University. More than 100 participants were able to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest developments at the conference. The book contains 46 peer-reviewed papers, selected from more than 200 submissions and ranging from the theoretical and conceptual to strongly pragmatic and addressing industrial best practice. Divided into three parts, the conference agenda covered keynote speeches, oral presentations, and online Q&A discussion. Firstly, keynote speakers were each allocated 30-35 minutes to hold their speeches. Then in the oral presentations, the excellent papers selected were presented by their authors one by one 15-20 minutes.The book shares practical experiences and enlightening ideas fro Applied Mechanics and Physics and will be of interest to researchers in and applied mechanics and physics everywhere.List of Committee's are available in this pdf.