Optimal fusion of optical and SAR high-resolution images for semiautomatic building detection

Building detection from different high-resolution aerial and satellite images has been a notable research topic in recent decades. The primary challenges are occlusions, shadows, different roof types, and similar spectral behavior of urban covers. Integration of different data sources is a solution to supplement the input feature space and improve the existing algorithms. Regarding the different nature and unique characteristics of optical and radar images, there are motivations for their fusion. This paper is aimed to identify an optimal fusion of radar and optical images to overcome their individual shortcomings and weaknesses. For this reason, panchromatic, multispectral, and radar images were first classified individually, and their strengths and weaknesses were evaluated. Different feature-level fusions of these data sets were then assessed followed by a decision-level fusion of their results. In both the feature and decision levels of integration, artificial neural networks were applied as the classifiers. Several post-processing methods using normalized different vegetation index, majority filter, and area filter were finally applied to the results. Overall accuracy of 92.8% and building detection accuracy of 89.1% confirmed the ability of the proposed fusion strategy of optical and radar images for building detection purposes.     

Evaluation of integration methods for hybrid simulation of complex structural systems through collapse

This study examines the performance of integration methods for hybrid simulation of large and complex structural systems in the context of structural collapse due to seismic excitations. The target application is not necessarily for real-time testing, but rather for models that involve large-scale physical sub-structures and highly nonlinear numerical models. Four case studies are presented and discussed. In the first case study, the accuracy of integration schemes including two widely used methods, namely, modified version of the implicit Newmark with fixed-number of iteration (iterative) and the operator-splitting (non-iterative) is examined through pure numerical simulations. The second case study presents the results of 10 hybrid simulations repeated with the two aforementioned integration methods considering various time steps and fixed-number of iterations for the iterative integration method. The physical sub-structure in these tests consists of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) cantilever column with replaceable steel coupons that provides repeatable highlynonlinear behavior including fracture-type strength and stiffness degradations. In case study three, the implicit Newmark with fixed-number of iterations is applied for hybrid simulations of a 1:2 scale steel moment frame that includes a relatively complex nonlinear numerical substructure. Lastly, a more complex numerical substructure is considered by constructing a nonlinear computational model of a moment frame coupled to a hybrid model of a 1:2 scale steel gravity frame. The last two case studies are conducted on the same porotype structure and the selection of time steps and fixed number of iterations are closely examined in pre-test simulations. The generated unbalance forces is used as an index to track the equilibrium error and predict the accuracy and stability of the simulations.     

Investigation of the Relationship between Sediment Graph and Hydrograph of Flood Events (Case Study: Gharachay River Tributaries,Arak, Iran)

Water Resources - In the comprehensive management of watersheds, the knowledge of the sedimentation process in flood conditions is considered as an important and challenging issue. The aim of this...     

Zonation of coastal sediments based on the effective properties on the accumulation of heavy metals using the IDW and kriging method (case study: SW Iran)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of some physicochemical properties of sediments on the accumulation of heavy metals in portions of the Musa creek coasts (Jafari and Petrochemical creeks). Effective properties such as pH, EC, texture, G_S, γ_d, n, CaCO₃ and OM were determined. All variables showed a normal distribution and general trends of NW–SE and NE–SW. After detrending the variables, ordinary kriging was used for modelling. The C₀/σ₂, C₀/σ_2, and search radius criteria were used to select the best semivariogram. All the variables displayed a spatial structure with different intensities. The IDW method was also used for estimation. The cross-validation showed that the results of both IDW and kriging methods are almost similar. Distribution of the sand particle, G_S, n and OM decreases with distance from the waterways, whilst clay–silt deposits. In the center of the studied area, CaCO₃ has the highest value and EC has the lowest value.     

Co‐composting of Municipal Solid Waste with Sawdust: Improving Compost Quality

The aim of present study was to improve compost quality as well as to achieve an optimum C/N ratio in compost, reduction in heavy metal content and increased water‐holding capacity of composting piles in arid areas. Four windrow compost piles were prepared by mixing sawdust at various dosages with municipal solid waste (MSW). The sawdust was mixed with MSW at 0% (MSW0), 16% (MSW16), 32% (MSW32), and 70% (MSW70) on dry weight basis. The compost piles were monitored daily by recording the temperature, while, weekly measurement was done on C/N ratio, moisture, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). The addition of 16% sawdust increased the initial C/N to the optimum level and decreased N loss during the composting process. The MSW16 and MSW32 exhibited better temperature dynamics and their composting period seemed to be shorter than that of MSW0 and MSW70. Moreover, addition of sawdust caused lowering of moisture loss from the composting piles. Sawdust admixtures also produced lowering of pH and EC values and led to lower heavy metal content in final products. The quality of the final compost makes it possible to propose the use of this experimental procedure for building up a novel mass reduction of the initial composted waste mixtures.     

Seismic time–frequency analysis as a robust method to estimate the fluid saturation: A case study of carbonates reservoir,Iran

The propagation of seismic waves through a saturated reservoir compresses the fluid in the pore spaces. During this transition, parts of seismic energy would be attenuated because of intrinsic absorption. Rock physics models make the bridge between the seismic properties and petrophysical reality in the earth. Attenuation is one of the significant seismic attributes used to describe the fluid behaviour in the reservoirs. We examined the core samples using ultrasonic experiments at the reservoir conditions. Given the rock properties of the carbonate reservoir and experiment results, the patchy saturation mechanism was solved for substituted fluid using the theory of modulus frequency. The extracted relationship between the seismic attenuation and water saturation was used in time–frequency analysis. We performed the peak frequency method to estimate the Q factor in the Gabor domain and determined the water saturation based on the computed rock physics model. The results showed how the probable fault in the reservoir has stopped the fluid movement in the reservoir and caused touching the water‐bearing zone through drilling.     

Combining Group Method of Data Handling with Signal Processing Approaches to Improve Accuracy of Groundwater Level Modeling

Natural Resources Research - Groundwater level forecasting is a paramount necessity for integrated management of a basin. Development of suitable models is an essential step in determining...     

Application of Statistical Methods to Biomarkers for Geochemical Evaluation and Genetic Type Determination of Gas Condensates in the Persian Gulf and Coastal Fars, Southern Iran

In a comprehensive geochemical study, the genetic relationships among 14 samples of gas condensates from the Persian Gulf were investigated for the purpose of evaluating the respective source rocks in terms of both age and sedimentary paleoenvironment. Chemometric analysis was used for categorization and determination of a certitude range to determine the genetic type of the condensate families in the studied basin. The samples were collected from Late Permian – Triassic reservoirs (Dalan and Kangan formations) located in 6 gasfields (gas condensate) hosting some of Iran’s most important gas/gas condensate reserves. Obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), a total of 16 biomarker parameters (10 maturity-related parameters and 6 sedimentary environment-related parameters) were used to evaluate the samples in terms of thermal maturity (and hence their positions in the maturity chart), the sedimentary environment of the source rock and the lithology. Application of Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the collected data led to the categorization of the samples into three main genetic groups, I–III. Groups I and III were found to be located in the east and the west of the Persian Gulf, respectively, while Group II was developed between the two other groups.