Papers by Author: Xue Qing Zhang

Abstract: The scheduling of a hydrothermal power system needs to take into account multiple economic, social and environmental criteria, such as power production, flood protection and control, water supply for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses, navigation, water quality control, ecological environment protection, fishery, recreation, and pollutant emission control. In addition, determination of the scheduling must involve the participation of various stakeholders. Hence, this paper proposes a framework for multi-criteria evaluation of the scheduling of a hydrothermal power system based on group decision making using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP is used to select a balanced scheduling scheme out of a number of alternatives through performing pairwise comparisons according to judgments of the decision group members.

Abstract: A dynamic approach is taken in this study to assess the efficiency of the various functions of the Xiaolangdi multipurpose project using the emergy evaluation method. These functions include flood control, ice jam prevention, sediment reduction, water supply and power generation. Through simulation modeling, both emergy inflows and outflows can be continuously tracked and the variations and uncertainties properly measured for different stages in the operation of the Xiaolangdi multipurpose project on an annual basis. Dynamic emergy analysis provides an alternative way to evaluate the efficiency of a multipurpose hydropower project.

Abstract: A decision support system (DSS) for the purpose of obtaining optimal operation strategies of various hydraulic structures is needed to achieve effective and efficient management of a river basin network. The core of such a DSS is a multiobjective decision model that can optimally schedule operation strategies of different hydraulic structures to fulfill the requirements on flood management, protection of water quality, and utilization of water resources. In this paper, we develop a framework of this multiobjective decision model to discuss its decision horizon, rules, variables, objectives, constraints and solving algorithm. This framework can be used to further establish the DSS for a river basin network.

Abstract: This paper proposes a life-cycle cost (LCC) management methodology that integrates corrosion deterioration and fatigue damage mechanisms. This LCC management methodology has four characterized features: (1) corrosion deterioration and fatigue damage models are used to predict the time when the pre-defined limits are reached; (2) the performance of the steel girder is measured by condition state sets in which deflection, moment and shear capacities and fatigue strength limits are considered altogether; (3) the cost-effectiveness of management strategies are measured by the performance improvement per unit of money spent; and (4) the LCC model includes initial design/construction cost, inspection cost, maintenance cost, repair/rehabilitation cost and failure cost. A steel girder bridge is used as an example to demonstrate the application of the proposed LCC management methodology.