Angus Simpson

Biography

Current Positions Professor, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Australia. Nationality Australian Qualifications Ph.D. in Civil Engineering - Hydraulics (1983-1986) - Department of Civil Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. Thesis title: Large water hammer pressures due to column separation in sloping pipes. Advisor: Professor Ben Wylie. Master of Science in Hydrology and Water Resources, plus an additional semester of coursework in hydraulics (1978-1980) - Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. Thesis title: Development of an integrated stream-aquifer model. Advisor: Professor Hubert Morel Seytoux. Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (1971-1974) - Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. Honours project title: Determination of Manning's n for Kananook Creek. Supervisor: Professor. Russell Mein. Previous Professional Experience 1. Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 1981-1983 Hydraulics Engineer- Designed spillways, outlet works, intakes, penstocks and surge tanks for hydroelectric projects. Carried out hydraulic design of pipelines and water hammer studies of pipelines incorporating valves and hydropower turbines. Co-ordinated reservoir routing studies and analyses of reservoir freeboard resulting from wind generated waves. Directed the design of spillway aeration devices for the prevention of cavitation. Developed computer programs for hydraulic analysis and design. Supervised junior engineers. 2. Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1977-1978 Construction Engineer - Directed and supervised road construction associated with the completion of the 180-metre rockfill Thomson Dam in eastern Victoria. Initiated purchase of a computer to improve on-site cost control. Developed computer programs for cost control. Conducted site office engineering tasks. 1975-1977 Water Resources Planning Engineer - Planned future water supply developments including dams, pipelines, pumping stations and water treatment plants. Developed a computer simulation model for water supply system studies. Academic Distinctions King Fellowship, The University of Michigan, 1983-86. Rackham School of Graduate Studies Predoctoral Fellowship, The University of Michigan, 1985-86. Elected to Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honour Society, U.S.A., 1985. Elected to Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honour Society, U.S.A., 1985.

Research Interest

Planning, design, operation and maintenance of water distribution system infrastructure. Optimisation of the design and operation of municipal water distribution and pumping systems, irrigation and gas pipe networks using evolutionary algorithms (including genetic algorithms and ant colony optimisation). Steady state computer simulation analysis of water distribution systems, in particular, improving both numerical solution techniques and the modelling of pressure reducing valves. Optimisation of scheduling for irrigation water deliveries. Condition assessment of water distribution systems (e.g. leakage detection, block detection and pipe roughness calibration) using the inverse transient technique, the transient damping method and coded transients. Field testing of large pipelines and water distribution systems using transients pressure waves for condition assessment Pipeline and water distribution system characterisation using frequency response methods Water hammer modelling-numerical, laboratory and field testing Modelling of unsteady friction in pipe systems during water hammer events Burst detection in water distribution systems Modelling of column separation during water hammer events in pipelines Modelling of transient hydraulic events in hydroelectric power plants systems.