Civil and Structural Engineering Factors for Mount Kent Installation Site - Assignment Example

INDIVIDUAL ТЕСHINСАL РОRFОLIО СОMРОNЕNTS ЕNGINЕЕRING Name Institution Instructor Date Contents Contents 2 Task 1A (i) 3 Task 1 A (ii) 4 Hypothesis testing framework 5 Aim 5 Hypotheses 6 Analysis plan formulation 6 Data analysis 7 Interpretation and conclusion 8 Ranking of sites for cloud cover based on usable day analysis 8 Task 1A (iii) 9 Task 1B 11 Site suitability Analysis using Surveying & GIS Techniques (Detrimental factors) 11 Visibility 11 Engineering and Infrastructure 12 Environmental 13 Geographical Information System (GIS) 14 GIS site suitability determination procedure for telescope installation 15 Task 2 A 17 Electrical Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site 17 Civil and Structural Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site 18 Mechanical Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site 19 References 19 Task 1A (i) Site Rain Light Dust Rank Giles 1 4 1 1 Mount Grey 2 1 7 2 Island Bend 6 3 4 3 Angepena Homestead 3 2 8 4 Alectown 5 7 3 5 Alice Springs 4 6 6 6 Coonabarabran 7 5 5 7 Mount Kent 2 1 7 8 Tabulated summery of site rankings Graphical summary of site raking According to the graphical ranking of the sites on the basis of the variables and prioritizing a good ranking for rain over the other variables, the best three sites identified include; Giles, Mount Grey and Angepena Homested in respectively in that order. This is because the first best ranked site which is Giles has got the highest score with light pollution, dust pollution and then of course quantity of rainfall taken into consideration. The second best site in terms of ranking which is Mount Grey has got the second highest scores overly even though in terms of dust pollution alone, it is one of the least scores. The third best site which is Angepena Homestead has got the lowest score in terms of dust pollution and one of the least scores in terms of light pollution. Its overall score is similar to that of the fourth best ranked site. However it is on the basis of the priority accorded to the rain variable that puts it on top of the Alectown site. Generally in the basis of rain variable scores, which is given the priority in this case, the best three sites have got the highest scores and are the most appropriate in the entire list for telescope installation. Task 1 A (ii) The number of usable days on the basis of cloud covers i.e. those of the 52 weeks having oktas between 0 and 4 as calculated through the use Microsoft techniques and formulas are found to be as follows for each site: Site Numbers of Usable days Coonabarabran 217 Island Bend 176 Giles 265 Mount Kent 215 Alectown 238 Alice Springs 253 Angepena Homestead 261 Mount Grey 229 Tabulation of number of usable days on the basis of cloud covers Hypothesis testing framework The process of determination of the presence on significance differences between the number of usable days, based on the cloud cover, that are expected and observed number of usable days employs the application of Chi-square. Aim To determine the existence of significance differences between the numbers of usable days observed on the basis of cloud cover and the expected numbers of usable days still on the basis of the cloud cover. Hypotheses In this particular hypothesis testing framework, the analysis of the presence of significance differences between the two variables involves the stating of both the null hypothesis as well as the alternative hypothesis in a mutual exclusive manner. Null hypothesis (Ho): The number of usable days on the basis of cloud cover for all sites is the same and they assume a uniform distribution. Alternative hypothesis (H1): The number of usable days on the basis of cloud covers for sites in not the same and they assume an irregular distribution. Analysis plan formulation Formulation of the analysis plan in this case aims at describing the manner in which the data obtained from the given sites are used in either accepting or rejecting the hypotheses. As far as determination of the presence of significance differences between the observed and expected number of usable days on the basis of cloud cover for all the sites, the significant level is specified as 0.10 and the method of test employs the use Chi-square goodness of fit test (Andersen, 2007). Taking into consideration a hypothesis that states that the pattern for the distribution of the number of usable days based on the cloud cover has got a uniform distribution and thus the expected uniform distribution values for the number of days would be; Data analysis Site Expected Numbers of Usable days Observed Numbers of Usable days Coonabarabran 250 217 Island Bend 250 176 Giles 250 265 Mount Kent 250 215 Alectown 250 238 Alice Springs 250 253 Angepena Homestead 250 261 Mount Grey 250 229 Sites Coonabarabran Island Bend Giles Mount Kent Alectown Alice Springs Angepena Homestead Mount Grey observed usable days 217 176 265 215 238 253 261 229 Expected Usable days 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 Difference -33 -74 15 -35 -12 3 11 -21 Difference^2 1089 5476 225 1225 144 9 121 441 (Difference^2)/ Expected usable days 4.36 21.90 0.90 4.90 0.58 0.04 0.48 1.76 Therefore the Chi-Square value= summation of (Difference^2) / Expected usable days = (4.36+21.90+0.90+4.90+0.58+0.04+0.48+1.76) = 34.92 The p-Value I then obtained through the comparison between the Chi-Square values to the known conventional values. The values as obtained from the Chi-Square test method assume a critical distribution and the t-distribution values are dependent on degrees of freedom which are computed as; V= (Categories numbers after pooling) – (estimated number of parameters estimate) – 1 Once the critical values have been obtained which could be 1%, 5%, and 10%; the point of existence on the test statistic is determined and hence the determination of a corresponding p-value range. To obtain the p-value; V= 8-0-1 = 7 Interpretation and conclusion From the obtained results it is evident that there are no indications whatsoever to accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. It is therefore clear that the null hypothesis is retained an interpretation is made that there is not adequate evidence to confirm or indicate that the occurrence of usable days on the basis of cloud cover does not assume a uniform distribution. However there is not much significance in the differences that exist between the expected and observed number of usable days for all the sites. Ranking of sites for cloud cover based on usable day analysis On the basis of an appropriate statistic method, the suitability of the sites for telescope installation is estimated on the basis of usable day’s analysis. The number of usable days for all sites is taken into consideration and the site with the most usable preferred irrespective of other factors involved such as the variable scores. The ranking is determined and tabulated as follows; Site Numbers of Usable days Rank Giles 265 1 Angepena Homestead 261 2 Alice Springs 253 3 Alectown 238 4 Mount Grey 229 5 Coonabarabran 217 6 Mount Kent 215 7 Island Bend 176 8 Tabulation of site ranking based on number of usable days Task 1A (iii) The inclusion of the ranking of the sites on the basis of cloud cover into the rankings made on the basis of three variables which are light, rain and dust is achieved through allocating score to all the ranking positions in both cases and the obtaining the site with the highest score to be the best in the inclusion ranking. This is determined as follows; Site Rank Score Giles 1 8 Mount Grey 2 7 Island Bend 3 6 Angepena Homestead 4 5 Alectown 5 4 Alice Springs 6 3 Coonabarabran 7 2 Mount Kent 8 1 Scores of site ranking according to graphical summary for pollution variables Site Rank Score Giles 1 8 Angepena Homestead 2 7 Alice Springs 3 6 Alectown 4 5 Mount Grey 5 4 Coonabarabran 6 3 Mount Kent 7 2 Island Bend 8 1 Scores of site rankings according the number of usable days based on cloud cover Site Graphical summary scores Usable days Scores Total Scores Combined Inclusion Rank Giles 8 8 16 1 Angepena Homestead 5 7 12 2 Mount Grey 7 4 11 3 Alectown 4 5 9 4 Alice Springs 3 6 9 5 Island Bend 6 1 7 6 Coonabarabran 2 3 5 7 Mount Kent 1 2 3 8 Combined ranking tabulation Clearly, the inclusion of rankings on the basis of cloud cover into the initial rankings on the basis of graphical summary alters the initial data interpretation with regard to the choices of three best sites. The final choices of the best three sites appropriate for telescope installation is justified by the fact that both the ranking criteria initially used to rank the sites were equally relevant and important in in the identification of factors affecting the appropriate choice of site for telescope installation. There final best three ranking of sites were therefore deduced from the scores garnered by each site from the two initial criteria for ranking and statistical analysis. Task 1B Site suitability Analysis using Surveying & GIS Techniques (Detrimental factors) Visibility Visibility in the consideration of telescope installation site is a very fundamental factor. This is because the entire functionality of the telescope is largely dependent on visibility. Visibility can however turn out to be a detrimental factor in installation site selection for optical telescopes that are ground based. Taking all the above sites into consideration light as well as dust pollution and sometimes rain could pose several detriments if the site selected for ground based optical telescope installation is one that is exposed to these pollutions (Greve and Bremer, 2009). To ensure efficient and effective performance of the telescope on these sites, stations on these sites need to be situated on the peaks of high altitude. This is should be done so as to ensure that the atmospheric transmission as well as the visibility are enhanced. However, the absence of locations of high altitudes in these sites may result in difficulties when it comes to making choices to worldwide network in telescopic installations. In link spaces that are optically deep, the atmospheric channel characterization needs to be accorded much attention (Harris, 2010). The opacity that is related to the clouds in another reason that facilitates visibility as one of the detrimental factors the optical telescope installation sites. This is so especially because on impairment evidence which result into an obstacle to space to ground proper closure. Similarly, the distribution of aerosol into the atmosphere can bring about a significant increase of the atmospheric optical thickness with laser signal detrimental attenuation. In addition, the a network for tracking he optical communication must be operation in daytime and this results in increased sky background radiance (Rogers, 2007). Engineering and Infrastructure The choice of all the above the above ground based optical telescope installation sites could greatly be influenced in a detrimental manner due to either poor infrastructure accessibility or lack of infrastructure accessibility. The sites need to be accessible by road in order to ensure effective usage of the instrument and as well as proper maintenance. Infrastructure accessibility is a very key factor since it allows for observations that are ground based and which are mostly located on the earth’s surface (Whitelock, 2006). Poor infrastructure network with regard to ground based optical telescope installation sites, is detrimental in the sense that the transmission of signals to and from the equipment and therefore making its performance and operation much difficult. However several telescopes are usually housed in structures in order to ensure protection to its delicate components and some are provided with openings such as slits to allow accessibility during inspection. Site of poor infrastructure accessibility with regard to the internet and electrical connection pose very detrimental challenges when it comes to site selection. This is in view of the current technological advancement where most of ground based optical telescopes employ the usage of both signals and electricity for the transmission of data and information. Environmental The environmental aspects that have got detrimental influence as far as site selection for optical telescope installation is concerned. The issue of cloud cover is one of the environmental aspects in the sense that it largely determines whether particular days occurring on the sites of installation can be termed as usable or not. In environmentally adverse conditions, the cloud cover in a particular installation site does not permit the operation of the telescope and that is detrimental. Other detrimental environmental aspects are those that are associated with rainfall and atmospheric turbulence. A degree of low turbulence is however, in cases of sites with stable atmosphere (Harris, 2010). The stability of the atmosphere is a very significant factor in the determination of the degree of image clarity especially around the sky at night. The degree of variation in light brightness has got to be correct in order to ensure proper functionality of the telescope with regard mechanisms of the adaptive optics. Instability of the atmospheric surrounding of the installation site as a detrimental environmental aspect is largely influenced by a temperature gradient that occurs in the vertical direction as well as turbulent flow of air occurring in the nearby terrain. This may also be influenced by both microscopic and macroscopic changes that take place in humidity, pressure and temperature in the atmospheric column on top of the telescope. The presence of water vapor brings about an increase in air refractive index which further causes electromagnetic wave phase distortion. Therefore, installation sites with very high water vapor presence in the integrated column are usually avoided (Andersen, 2007). Geographical Information System (GIS) Geographical Information System (GIS) is a very important factor in the determination and establishment of sites that could be detrimental to the proper functionality and operation of the ground based optical telescope. Installation sites need to be analyzed and evaluated with regard to geographical information. The GIS in relation to all the installation sites is useful in management, analysis, storage and display of geographically earth referenced spatial information. Further, it plays a significant role in avoiding other detrimental factors that may affect the telescope installation sites due to the fact that it permits interrogation, manipulation and the editing of the site maps and data (Andersen, 2007). The GIS has also got the ability present information regarding site maps in layer forms and therefore producing a single conclusive layer which is much comprehensive in terms of analysis and evaluation. This layer information is found to very useful for the site analysis experts in dealing in the area such as infrastructure, water bodies as well as usage of land. The selection of the sites on the basis of their climatic as well as geophysical information adopts the use of GIS as well as other geographical database systems (Rogers, 2007). GIS site suitability determination procedure for telescope installation The determination of most appropriate site for ground based optical telescope adopts the usage of Geographical Information System (GIS). This is an important and useful tool in installation site selection especially for telescope projects that are much larger. GIS as a site evaluation and selection tool operates in reference to the globe and is easily accessible on the global web. The GIS is a very resourceful system due to the fact that it has the capability to reanalyze data and it also provides accessibility to long-term climatic data. In the process of determination of suitability of telescope installation site, GIS applies the use of computer programs and software which aid in extraction of time series as well as resampling of various seismic layers (Harris, 2010). The GIS procedural installation site determination involves the determination of potential sites climatic stability and also the analysis of climatic trends and anomalies. The suitability determination procedure based on GIS involves clouds analysis where the classification of cloud covers is done in accordance with the height between the clouds and the ground level. Therefore in this case clouds that regarded as being high are the ones that occur at heights 6000 metres and above, for those regarded as being of middle level cloud cover it is estimated that they occur at heights between 2000 metres and 6000 metres whereas those that occur at low cloud cover heights occur at heights of 2000 metres or below. In this case the GIS are used to perform the analysis of cloud data that is obtained from the satellite in a process which involves considerable estimations and adjustments (Andersen, 2007). These are affected through a model that is used in the numerical analysis of weather. The other stage of GIS site suitability determination involves the integrated water vapor analysis at the site. In this stage, an integrated water level that corresponds to most sites is selected and used as the reference level and then data obtained the satellite is used to perform the site analysis. Another step involves the analysis of tropospheric which ranges from middle level to upper levels in the vertical direction. This is followed by another stage that involves the formation of composite site maps through overlaying of the existing maps. Here the, the capability of the GIS in reclassification of layers is put into use thereby only displaying the regions and layers of interest (Greve and Bremer, 2009). Task 2 A Electrical Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site Mount Kent happen to be one of the telescope installation sites having the least number of usable days with regard to cloud cover has got a number of factors that influence its electrical engineering aspects. These factors include the ones in connection the viability of an electrical grid. Under these factors the site needs to be evaluated with regard to whether it is located at a point that can be accessible by the electrical grid. This is so because the installation of the ground based optical telescope as well as its functionality grid requires electrical connection and for introduction of the advanced technology into the functionality and operation of the telescope the site is also influenced by the internet connectivity which also functions in collaboration with the grid electrical connectivity (Whitelock, 2006). The selection of the site is therefore subjected to evaluation and analysis with regard to excellent internet connection speeds which play a very significant role in in the process on transmitting data and information. This is especially applicable for the kind of telescopes where their functionality and operations are not manned. As far as the consideration of this site for installation is concerned, the objective of the selection should be more concerned with the functionality of the telescope and also the provision of support grounds for solar energy system and other renewable sources of power exploration. This brings about a logical and practical step in the analysis and evaluation as a strategy used in the site selection. In more remote sites as the consideration of Mount Kent site it is important to strategize on the introduction or adoption of renewable sources of energy to act as substitutes in powering the operation and functionality of the ground based optical telescope (Rogers, 2007). Civil and Structural Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site Mount Kent installation site has got suitability for periscope installation with regard to civil and structural facilities. These facilities such as good road network which allows for ease of accessibility to the site especially during installation of the telescope and even during maintenance and monitoring. The other fact that makes road accessibility to be a major consideration regarding the suitability of the site of Mount Kent is that is can be able to permit rapid accessibility in case there is need for emergency services and attention at the site or the instrument. Fast and ease of accessibility of the site is one of the key factors in the consideration of the site for installation among other various sites since this allows for efficient and effective functionality of the optical periscope once installed. The other factor that is related to the civil and structural aspects of the suitability of Mount Kent for installation is the structural design and functionality of the dome structure that is expected to house the periscope instrument and its components (Harris, 2010). This is justified due to the fact that the design of the housing is flexible enough to allow for adjustments and improvements especially with regard to technological advancements as well as loading of the structure. The site of Mount Kent with regard to location and topography is a very significant consideration. The site is considered due to its suitability in terms of appropriate topography. The site is located at a mountainous island as well as high topographical elevation which lead to a reduction in the level of air disturbances and interference of the telescope. With regard to the above topographic pattern, the design of the structure that is to house the components of the telescope assumes a dome shaped structure to allow for smoother and efficient operations involving wind loading (Greve and Bremer, 2009). Mechanical Engineering Factors for Mount Kent installation site The installation of the ground based optical telescope installation project at the Mount Kent installation site is subject to mechanical factors, aspects, constraints as well as parameters. This is due to the fact that the installation operations at the site are largely mechanical operations. There are standby motors to offer power to the functionality of various mechanical and electrical systems at the site during installation operations. Some of the systems at the installation site include booster, air conditioner, lighting system as well as water pumping system among others. All of these systems require electrical power for them to operate as well as mechanical maintenance. The design of telescope mounted is also subject to mechanical principles and factors. This site of Mount Kent experiences a lot of dust and therefore the choice of design for telescope mounting is going to be one that allows for the mounting of a mechanical system for dust removal (Andersen, 2007). References ANDERSEN, G. 2007. The telescope: its history, technology, and future. Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press. GREVE, A., & BREMER, M. 2009. Thermal design and thermal behaviour of radio telescopes and their enclosures. Berlin, Springer. HARRIS, L. 2010. So you want a Meade LX telescope! how to select and use the LX200 and other high-end models. New York, Springer. HECK, A. 2000. Organizations and strategies in astronomy. Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers. ROGERS, G. 2007. My heavens! the adventures of a lonely stargazer building an over-the-top observatory. New York, Springer. WHITELOCK, P. A. 2006. The scientific requirements for extremely large telescopes: proceedings of the 232nd symposium of the International Astronomical Union held in Cape Town, South Africa, November 14-18, 2005. Cambridge [u.a.], Cambridge Univ. Press. Read More