Ocean surface target detection to support search and rescue mission using freely available satellite data: Malaysian mh370 airline tragedy, a case study

Emeka Jude, Vahideh Saeidi, Mohammed Oludare Idrees and Shattri Mansor

This paper presents a simplified approach to detect objects on the ocean surface to aid search and rescue operation using free remote sensing data. In this study, we employed the compressed multi-spectral worldview-2 image to RGB JPEG 2000 file format. The objective is to find a simple method that can be used during search and rescue operation to detect objects on Ocean surface while onboard search vessels without the need for complex image processing tasks. We experimented with six different adaptive filters: Lee, Enhanced Lee, Frost, Enhanced Frost, Gamma, and Kuan filters. For each of the filters, three different kernel sizes, 3x3, 5x5, and 7x7 were tested. The result shows that Enhanced Frost with 7x7 kernels provides better indication of the presence of object on ocean surface. This indicates that without complex image processing and analysis, foreign objects on Ocean surface can be detected.

Comparison of mechanical properties for Hybrid palm/glass/rare earth filler reinforced
Polymer composite

Pradeep P. and Edwin Raja Dhas J.

The tensile, flexural and impact properties of Hybrid palm leaf stalk fiber/fruit fiber/rare earth sand filler/ sandwiched with glass fiber reinforced in polyester matrix were described for the first time in this work. The natural fibers were taken from palm leaf stalk and fruit portion of the palm tree. The extracted palm fibers were treated with potassium permanganate solution to enhance their properties. For experimentation three combinations of natural fibers, the first one with palm leaf stalk fiber, the second one with palm fruit fiber and the third one with hybrids of both palm leaf stalk/fruit fibers were sandwiched inside glass fibers acts as reinforcements. The polyester resin/ rare earth sand filler was blend into uniform mixture acts as matrix. Compression moulding method was adopted to manufacture these in form of composite plates. Specimens are cut from the sandwiched composite plates according to the ASTM standards for testing mechanical characters. Experimental results on comparison reveal that the Hybridized palm leaf stalk/palm fruit fiber/ rare earth sand filler/ sandwiched with glass possessed superior values than the others. Hence the developed composite can be recommended for fabrication of automobile parts like car bumpers, under body shield, etc.

Application of vertical electrical sounding to estimate aquifer characteristics of Ihiala and its environs, Anambra state, Nigeria

Obiajulu O. O. , Okpoko E. I. and Mgbemena C. O.

The vertical electrical sounding technique was applied to estimate the aquifer characteristics of Ihiala and its environs. The lithostratigraphic units within the study area include: Benin Formation and Ogwashi-Asaba Formation. Twelve vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried out with the Abem Terrameter (SAS 1000) using the Schlumberger electrode configuration, with a maximum current electrode spacing (AB) of 1000metres. Three of the soundings were done near existing boreholes. The interpretation of the VES data was carried out by computer iteration using Win Resist software. The result obtained from the study area within the geological terrain often referred to as sedimentary environment revealed four to seven geoelectric layers and depths to aquifer between 26.00m and 81.43m respectively. Geoelectric sections were generated from which the aquifer us layers were delineated and hydraulic parameters were computed. The layer parameters obtained were used to calculate longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance. Data analysis was done with the relationship between aquifer characteristics and DarZarrouk’s parameters established by Niwas and Singhal to calculate aquifer characteristics values. Hydraulic conductivity and Transmissivity values ranges betweeen 1.76 m/day and 1740.00 m/day and between 32.48m2/day and 5933.99m2/day respectively.

Investigation on characteristics of carbonate rocks of Maghra al Hadida formation as coarse aggregate, Gabel Shabrawet, northeastern desert, Egypt

A. Kabd El-Aal and M. A. Dahem

The increase in the development of the construction projects in Egypt during the last few years has increased the need for large quantities of concrete aggregates. The common types of aggregates such as natural and industrial gravel, which were widely used for a long time in many projects, became in severe shortage and were unavailable in many parts of our country. Moreover, the transport of high quality aggregates from far quarries was found impractical and costly. Many types of aggregates composed from carbonate or basaltic rocks became widely used. In the present study, the physical, Geomechanical and chemical properties of Maghra Al Hadida Formation at Gabel Shabrawet were investigated. Bulk specific gravity (SSD), water absorption, sieve analysis, Los Angeles abrasion test, soundness, clay lump and friable particles, flakiness and elongation, XRD and DRF indices of coarse aggregate were evaluated and suitable for road construction and concrete industry. Nearly all the samples were found within the specified limits of ASTM specifications and are appropriate material for concrete, asphalt and suitable as dimension stone.

Caspian Sea tidal modeling using coastal tide gauge data

Mahmoud Pirouznia, Seyyed Rouhollah Emadi and Mehdi Najafi Alamdari

The purpose of this article is to model tidal conditions in the Caspian Sea using data from coastal tide gauges of Anzali, Noshahr and Neka Ports. Harmonic Analysis method was used to identify and examine 40 tidal components. The results illustrates that the annual (Sa) and semi-annual Solar (Ssa) components on all of the ports listed have the highest range in comparison with the other components which are respectively 16 cm, 18 cm and 15 cm for annual components and 2.8 cm, 5.4 cm and 3.7 cm for semi- annual components.

Surveying feasibility of detecting tsunami by the use of satellite altimetry data

Seyyed Rouhollah Emadi and Mehrdad Sabzevari

In this research tsunami waves caused by two severe earthquakes in December 2004 Sumatra and 11/03/2011 Japan are detected and observed by the use of satellite altimetry. Due to its severity and the extent of the affected area, Sumatra tsunami was the first tsunami detected by 4 altimetry satellites of TOPEX, JASON1, ENVISAT and GFO. Numerical surveys show that JASON1 satellite has detected the tsunami waves one hour and fifty three minutes after the earthquake in 129 passage number in geographical zone of -12<φ<20 with amplitude of more than 1.5 meters in two areas. Also after three hours and nineteen minutes in 352 passage number, ENVISAT satellite has detected the tsunami waves in geographical zone -20<φ<-10 in around 40 centimeters. T/P satellite has also observed the tsunami waves one hour and fifty three minutes after the earthquake in 129 passage number in geographical zone -10<φ<5 in around 60 centimeters. Also Japan tsunami has been detected by JASON1 satellite seven hours and 30 minutes after the earthquake in 147 passage number. Calculation results show the amplitude of waves of this tsunami in 7 degrees north latitude to be around 60 centimeters.

Stability analysis of overburden internal dump material of Amlohri opencast coal mine, India

Sachin Sharma, Somesh Sengupta and Indrajit Roy

This paper deals with geo-technical data generation and stability analysis of internal overburden (OB) dump material of dragline operated Amlohri opencast coal mine of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Singrauli, India. This paper also presents the optimum and safe combination of height and slope of dragline dumps of Amlohri opencast coal mine.