Assignment # 2 (Article - 2)

Article Reference:

J.A. Frizzone, R.D Coelho, D. Dourado-Neto, R. Soliani, June 1997, Linear Programming model to optimize the water resource use in irrigation projects – An application to the senator Nilo Coelho Project

Summary:

Objective of the paper is to develop a linear programming model using all the factors effecting and influencing the profit of the irrigation project. Linear programming model was considered to optimize the cropping patterns and the water requirements based on the constraints like – water availability, water-yield relationship, land constraints, production cost, and product price. Vital goal while planning an irrigation project is to explore how to combine the existing resources so as to maximize the profit and minimize the cost. Mathematical model quantifies the optimum solution using the scare resource and meeting the proposed goals.

Linear programming model was developed based on maximizing the net income subjected to restrictions of cropping area and water availability. Gross income was considered as proportional to the production and variable component is dependent on seasonal irrigation depth. Objective function was to maximize the net income which resulted in the following restrictions - seasonal water requirement of the crop should be less than or equal to the annual volume of available water, crop irrigated area should be less than the crop restricted area, total planted area restriction of each month and irrigated depth at any interval should not exceed the irrigated depth corresponding to maximum production. Considering all these constraints, objective and functions of the problem, linear programming model is used to optimize a solution for the cropping pattern in the region.

Case study: Model was applied to Senator “Nilo Coelho” irrigation project in Petrolina - Brazil

The aim of the model was to generate a optimal crop pattern suitable for the area and which maximizes the net income. The functions used in model area – water, seeding season, production cost (excluding the cost fo water) and product price. Crop water requirement was estimated based on the total irrigation depth in relation to the maximum Evapo-Transpiration of the crop. Monthly available water considered is Annual available water considered for the model is 66644500 (m³). Using these constraints and considering the crop area requirements, the linear programming model resulted in optimized crop planning. Though all the crops are irrigated with a deficit, recommended irrigation level of each crop satisfy the objective of maximizing the net income. Optimization model (LP) estimated net income of 53$ higher than the traditional crop pattern.

Sensitivity analysis was carried to see how the marginal cost, water availability, marginal net income and water misuse affects the optimum solution proposed. As the misuse of water will eventually effect the net income generated, It was recommended that when the resource is becoming scare, there should be a differential amount associated to the excess amount of water used by the users, this will improve the strategies involved in water management.

Discussions

Paper was interesting as it dealt with the basis of how the linear programming is carried out in planning a irrigation project. With the considered case study it gives a practical insight of how optimization modeling can be used in estimating an optimum crop pattern considering the maximum net income. The paper insights about various sensitivity analysis, which could be carried out to check the optimum solution, thereby looking into the problem in a broader approach.

If I was carrying out my research in the same field then my future work for this topic would be to analyze more on the sensitivity of water availability and the irrigation methods. How the net income be affected using different methods of irrigation would be interesting topic to explore.

Assignment # 2 (Article - 1)

Article Reference:

Jon C. Liebman, August 1976, Some Simple Minded Observations on the Role of Optimization in Public Systems Decision Making, Interfaces

Summary:

The paper refers to optimization techniques used in decision making of public systems. Author tries to compare between the decision tools and the encountering problems in public and private sector decision making.

Optimization and modeling is used to resolve few of the public sector problems (Ex. Increasing and improving the effectiveness of urban firefighting organizations) while few of the public sector problems are not solved using this approach (Ex. River basin water quality management) as the final outcome is still questionable. Earlier variety of problems were dealt using linear programming and operations research as the objective of the problem was simple, and clear cut. But over the year’s complexity of the problems have increased along with the techniques used for solving the optimization problems. With the wide range of approaches, we are able to model a problem in more than one way. Large scale private sector problem is considered to be subtle and within reach where as public sector problems have encountered some difference, therefore they are characterized as "wicked".

The vital problem of wickedness in public sector problems is due to the difference in fundamental public goal by different individuals in the decision making system. Optimization tools which were designed for the non wicked problems should not have been used to solve the wicked problems. In one hand, solution for non wicked problems can be optimized once we are clear with the goal, boundaries, alternatives and constraints of the system on the other hand wicked problem has set of alternatives, no specific boundary, conflicting goals. Optimization and modeling of wicked problems can be used to formulate the alternatives rather than selecting one of the alternatives thereby demanding qualitative approach by the analyst.

The paper summaries few ideas about how the methodology is changed and how the optimization techniques can be best fit for the decision making process. Author focuses on the limitation of optimization technique of not being able to solve a problem if the conflicts associated with it or not resolved. It would be able to give a set of feasible alternatives for the problem which needs to be explored.

Discussion:

Paper is interesting as it gives an idea to the reader of what are the different problems in public and private sector and how they can be or cannot be solved using Optimization and modeling techniques. It gives an insight of the major problems which are encountered solving both public and private sector problems.

Author should have mentioned more about the practical application of the modeling techniques by taking up a case study of a wicked problem which was solved or which can be solved using the optimization technique. The paper would be more interesting if more quantitative explanation of the facts were illustrated.

If this were my research, as mentioned earlier I would concentrate on quantifying both the public and private sector problems and associated concerns of each problems. My research would be dealing majorly on what would be the feasible practical solution for solving a wicked problem considering all the alternative and measuring the effectiveness of the same.

Assignment # 0

I am Chandana Damodaram pursuing my Masters in Water Resource Engineering.

By taking CVEN 664 last semester, i was able to get an insight of various issues and aspects in water resource planning and management. Furthur to nurture my knowledge on quantifying methods of WRPM i got myself enrolled in course CVEN 665. With help of the course, i would like to be familiar and well versed with various techniques and computational methods used to analyze complex water resource systems.

Critical Thinking?
It is the ability of analysing, conceptulaising, reasoning and evaluating the given/gathered information. Critical thinking enables one to think logically, restructure his/her thinking about a subject thereby helping in figuring out what to believe and what not to.

Source:
http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/define_critical_thinking.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking)