Civil Part Australian Council of Projection Deans - Assignment Example

Civil Part in Team Report for Problem Solving 2 Name of Student Institution Problem Solving Strategy Problem solving is the first step undertaken to deal with complex situations. Professional engineers and technologists have the same ways of identifying and formulating solutions to problems. Their approach differs in the methodology used during the process of problem solving. When Brisbane River and its tributaries were hit by floods in 2011, there have been many concerns to alleviate occurrence of a similar situation. This is because, the region is meant to deal with drought rather than floods (King, 2008). Therefore, it is important to establish protective structures in order to mitigate the effects of flooding in Rocklea. Individual learning goals Problem solving methodologies involve understanding issues and effects by developing viable decisions. Decision making involves assessment of the available choices and choosing of the viable of them all. Goal setting provides a means for analysing difficult situations and offering informed decisions. In this task, the team is expected to assess the suitability of the existing structures and means of improving their present state. This is in order to provide mitigation factors against damage that could be caused by future flooding. Furthermore, the portfolio will provide a general site lay-out covering flood damage mitigation infrastructures. The table below shows the goals to be achieved by the members by the end of the exercise (King, 2008). Learning objectives/goals Means of incorporating the goals Identification of important structures and facilities in the selected site and assessment of their potential risk from flooding, i.e. houses, hospitals, schools, bridges, access roads, and other service facilities. Obtaining data from Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Identification and assessment of the suitability of existing infrastructures for flood damage mitigation control, i.e. drainage networks, water handling facilities, distribution infrastructures, etc. Analyse the effect of the existing infrastructures to flooding Recommendations for improvement of existing infrastructures for flood damage mitigation. The most viable solutions are the best strategies for flood mitigation Documentation of all relevant design criteria and technical specifications (code, standards and legislations). Evaluate the procedures necessary to mitigate against floods Provision of a general site lay-out covering flood damage mitigation infrastructures. The recommended means of establishing viable physical structures Table 1: Individual learning goals Statistical Component In order to obtain infrastructural information about Rocklea data is obtained from the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry. The information covers the period between August 2010 and January 2011 (Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, 2011). Rocklea Markets occupy 77 hectare of land and it has 51 main wholesalers and 100 retail businesses occupying the area. The food distribution network in the area is important because the market supplies 65-70 per cent of the Queensland fresh produce. The floods experienced between August 2010 and January 2011 resulted to destruction of homes and business facilities. The business community and properties in the CBD also suffered damage. This affected Rocklea’s economy negatively. Dam structures had an impact on the downstream flood levels in Queensland. The table below shows the characteristics of various dams in the area. Table 1: shows the features of dams within Rocklea vicinity (Source: Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, 2011). The dams in the area provide plenty water storage that assist in mitigating the effects of floods. Additionally, since Rocklea lies on a wetland, there are several storm water drains. This was meant to drain flood waters towards the river. For example, in the area surrounding University Bridge, Turley and Simpson St. there are underground storm water drainage systems. However, these systems may be incapable of holding flood waters. This is because such structures are subject to tear and wear. Additionally, there are concrete pipes underneath some bridges. These act as permanent drainage structures. However, they are not subject to expansion. Therefore, heavy floods would reduce their efficiency. Many building structures in Rocklea are ancient. For example, some of the buildings are dated back to 1820s. The cost of timber has been low in the region making it possible for most of the building structures to be constructed using wood. This was an alternative to the more expensive bricks and concrete. The strength of these building is in question; they could be weak to sustain the pressure from flood waters. As a result, they cannot offer shelter to the flood affected residents. Site Selection The site used in this study is appropriate because it has a history of experiencing floods. The area has various building and drainage structures that are susceptible to damage. The dam structures in Rocklea are limited which makes flood waters to overwhelm their functionality (Preparation and Planning by Federal State and Local, 2012). The longest river in South Queensland is Brisbane River. It covers 120km in to Lake Wivenhoe. The main source of flooding in Rocklea area is the Stable Swamp Creek. Additionally, Rock Waterholes Creek caused increase in floods in the area (Rocklea recent creek flood information, 2012). The graph below shows the location of Rocklea area. It also shows that the area is located near the Rocky Water Holes and the Oxley Creek. (Source: Rocklea recent creek flood information, 2012). When the reservoir dams are exposed to heavy floods like the case of January 2011, the spillway is supposed to break off the gate. Therefore, there is need to assess weather forecasts and warnings in order to make viable decisions before floods strike. Floods forecast depend on stream flow and rainfall data. The engineers also need to obtain hydrological skills in order to make informed interpretation of statistical data. They also need to familiarize themselves with the behavior of the catchment areas. Therefore, every engineer should be familiar with the drainage system, building design and catchment behavior. Public Health & Environmental Aspects The floods befell an area with large human development. As a result, there were negative effects on the environment. Huge amounts of water. Large amounts of water and suspended river sediments were displaced on land. There was also massive effect of flora and fauna. As a result of many floods, the depth of the rivers has reduced and new sand banks generated. This hinders the navigation of ships and boats along the rivers in Rockler area. The floods caused havoc with 5 people dead and 3 missing. As a result, 78% of Queensland was declared a disaster zone. There were massive damages to the transportation system and subsequent establishment of community recovery centers. There was immense involvement of volunteers in the rescue missions. For example, it is approximated that there were more 55,000 volunteers. The volunteers assisted in cleaning Rockler streets, markets and homes that were damaged during the floods. Additionally, Red Cross provided first aid services to the flood area residents of Rockler (Flood Risks, 2012). Many residents of Queensland acquired diseases as well psychological distress. These illnesses were due to poor environmental hygiene and difficulty in accessing medical facilities. The old people and children were the most affected people. Key players involved in the Infrastructure Flood Risk Assessment Over 2.5 million people in Queensland were affected by the January 2011 floods. Additionally almost 29,000 homes and businesses were damaged. The estimated cost of damage was $5 billion. The council should come up with a flood map that clearly indicates the risk zones. Additionally, there should be strict flood management plans that can monitor water flow levels of the major rivers such as Brisbane. It is notable that the flood operation center had all the necessary weather data and tools. Therefore, it can be held accountable for the effects of its operations in the dam (Report to the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry, 2011). The constructed dams and drainage systems should have hydrodynamic model that can adequately control Brisbane River down-stream. Flood risk assessment involves the bureau of meteorology. The bureau undertakes seasonal forecasts that notify the dam and city operation team about the wet seasons (Monthly Weather Review Queensland January, 2011). Additionally, the bureau advices the government about the capacity of the dams and the drainage systems. For example, it advices the government to reduce the water supply level since the dam will be overwhelmed by the increase in water flow level. It also advices the government to amend the size of the drainage facilities in case floods occur. However, in the case of the floods experienced in 2011, the dam operators ignored weather warnings leading to the floods. For example, the dam operators failed to abide by the warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology. By assessing the situation, the operators would have reduced the level of water in the dam storage in anticipation for the heavy rains. Recommendation in emergency management Scientific investigations and recommendations are key elements of concerns to the dam management. The state disaster management undertakes planning and preparation for coming wet seasons. Risk management should be given priority because it is a fundamental procedure in disaster management. In addition, the department of planning and should establish an emergency management unit as a guideline and plan for disaster management. This disaster management plan should coincide with the act of parliament that mandates this action (Engineers Australia, 2012). The emergency management team or commission should be standardised with the necessary guidance. This would ensure that it is consistent and effective in its operations. Queensland local government has rolled out campaigns and community education aimed at educating the public on safety measures to take when the river bursts its banks and flood strikes. Such campaigns are made possible by use of newspapers, television documentaries and community meetings organised by civic leaders (Engineers Australia, 2012). It is also necessary that after the dam is constructed, it should be in a position to provide protection of the urban areas from being submerged in water. During construction, structural safety of the dam should be a foremost concern to the architects. Additionally, the drainage system, the architectural design of the housing facilities and bridges should have been closely monitored and rectified. Apart from the most obvious objective, the dam is expected to serve contradictory functions. The dams should act as reservoirs to excess water. This way, it would play a role in minimising disruption of rural life especially in valleys. Furthermore, the current drainage structures should be strong enough to drain the excess water to the rivers. The current building structures are ancient. Therefore, the engineers should ensure that renovation is done on time. This would reduce collapses and deaths of the occupants. Such buildings should also be strong enough to host residents for many days before floods subside (Engineers Australia, 2012). References Engineers Australia. (2012). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ Flood Risks. (2011). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA4210.pdf King, R (2008). Engineers for the Future: Australian Council of Engineering Deans. Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/shado/ACED/Engineers%20for%20the%20Future.pdf Monthly Weather Review Queensland January. (2011). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mwr/qld/mwr-qld-201101.pdf Preparation and Planning by Federal State and Local Governments. (2012). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0018/7146/Lease_of_Life_Pty_Ltd_Newell_Deborah.pdf Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry. (2011). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/11698/QFCI-Final-Report-March-2012.pdf Report to the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry. (2011) Retrieved October 14, 2012 from http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0006/7692/Mark_Babister_Report_MWAwater.pdf Rocklea recent creek flood information. (2012). Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/community-safety/disasters-and-emergencies/severe-weather-alerts/creek-flooding-alert-service/rocklea-creek-heights/index.htm Read More

Site Selection The site used in this study is appropriate because it has a history of experiencing floods. The area has various building and drainage structures that are susceptible to damage. The dam structures in Rocklea are limited which makes flood waters to overwhelm their functionality (Preparation and Planning by Federal State and Local, 2012). The longest river in South Queensland is Brisbane River. It covers 120km in to Lake Wivenhoe. The main source of flooding in Rocklea area is the Stable Swamp Creek.

Additionally, Rock Waterholes Creek caused increase in floods in the area (Rocklea recent creek flood information, 2012). The graph below shows the location of Rocklea area. It also shows that the area is located near the Rocky Water Holes and the Oxley Creek. (Source: Rocklea recent creek flood information, 2012). When the reservoir dams are exposed to heavy floods like the case of January 2011, the spillway is supposed to break off the gate. Therefore, there is need to assess weather forecasts and warnings in order to make viable decisions before floods strike.

Floods forecast depend on stream flow and rainfall data. The engineers also need to obtain hydrological skills in order to make informed interpretation of statistical data. They also need to familiarize themselves with the behavior of the catchment areas. Therefore, every engineer should be familiar with the drainage system, building design and catchment behavior. Public Health & Environmental Aspects The floods befell an area with large human development. As a result, there were negative effects on the environment.

Huge amounts of water. Large amounts of water and suspended river sediments were displaced on land. There was also massive effect of flora and fauna. As a result of many floods, the depth of the rivers has reduced and new sand banks generated. This hinders the navigation of ships and boats along the rivers in Rockler area. The floods caused havoc with 5 people dead and 3 missing. As a result, 78% of Queensland was declared a disaster zone. There were massive damages to the transportation system and subsequent establishment of community recovery centers.

There was immense involvement of volunteers in the rescue missions. For example, it is approximated that there were more 55,000 volunteers. The volunteers assisted in cleaning Rockler streets, markets and homes that were damaged during the floods. Additionally, Red Cross provided first aid services to the flood area residents of Rockler (Flood Risks, 2012). Many residents of Queensland acquired diseases as well psychological distress. These illnesses were due to poor environmental hygiene and difficulty in accessing medical facilities.

The old people and children were the most affected people. Key players involved in the Infrastructure Flood Risk Assessment Over 2.5 million people in Queensland were affected by the January 2011 floods. Additionally almost 29,000 homes and businesses were damaged. The estimated cost of damage was $5 billion. The council should come up with a flood map that clearly indicates the risk zones. Additionally, there should be strict flood management plans that can monitor water flow levels of the major rivers such as Brisbane.

It is notable that the flood operation center had all the necessary weather data and tools. Therefore, it can be held accountable for the effects of its operations in the dam (Report to the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry, 2011). The constructed dams and drainage systems should have hydrodynamic model that can adequately control Brisbane River down-stream. Flood risk assessment involves the bureau of meteorology. The bureau undertakes seasonal forecasts that notify the dam and city operation team about the wet seasons (Monthly Weather Review Queensland January, 2011).

Additionally, the bureau advices the government about the capacity of the dams and the drainage systems. For example, it advices the government to reduce the water supply level since the dam will be overwhelmed by the increase in water flow level.

Read More