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Subject: Agricultural Engineering × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2018 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Tech. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Swat model evaluation using generated data and assessing the impact of land use changes
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2018) Nethi Naga, Hari Sairam; KAU; Anu Varughese
    Land and water are the primary natural resources which are useful for all the living beings on earth surface. Degradation of the land surface and lack of water availability are the two major important problems mankind is facing in this century. In order to overcome these problems, there is a need of effective management of these resources. Watershed models are the tools which are not only useful for the effective management of these natural resources, but also useful for the proper understanding of the hydrological behavior of the watershed. These models play a vital role in simulating the hydrology of the watershed. Among the different categories of the model, a physically based, semi distributed hydrologic model SWAT was used for the assessment of the calibration and validation of the hydrologic model SWAT adapted to the study area. The data scarcity is one of the major problems in the ungauged watersheds. In order to overcome this problem, CFSR (Climate Forecast System Reanalysis) data which is a global, high resolutions, coupled atmoshphere ocean land surface sea ice system is available as an alternative option for solving the data deficiency in the watershed. The land use change also plays a vital role in altering the hydrologic system and has a large impact on the stream flow. This is mainly due to the rapid socio economic development. So, based on the above mentioned problems, SWAT output comparison using CFSR & observed meteorological data as inputs was take up. The impact of land use change on the hydrology of watershed was also studied. The platform used for the study was ArcGIS 10.3 with the Arc SWAT interface. The SWAT model set up was done for the Kunthipuzha river basin and the calibration and validation of the model was also done to make the model suitable for use in the area. This model was later used to understand the hydrologic behaviour of the watershed. The model was simulated for the period 1991 to 2013 for calibration and validation of the model was done using the data for the period 2014 to 2016. Before the model calibration and validation, sensitive parameters were evaluated using SWAT CUP (Calibration and Uncertainty Program). CN2 (Initial SCS runoff curve number for moisture condition II) and ALPHS_BF (Base flow alpha factor) were found to be the most sensitive parameters for the study area. The NSE and R2 before and after calibration were 0.81 & 0.83 and 0.82 & 0.85 respectively. The NSE and R2 for the validation were 0.70 & 0.87 respectively. Based on the statistical measures and the criteria used, the model performance is "very good" in the calibration period and "Good" in validation period. To analyse the possibility of using CFSR data instead on observed meteorological data, the developed model was run with observed meteorological data and predicted meteorological data (CFSR)was done separately without changing any other inputs for the period 1991 to 2013. The NSE, R2 and RMSE for the observed meteorological data were 0.82, 0.85 and 29.25 respectively where ad for the predicted meteorological data (CFSR) the values were 0.70, 0.72 and 37.18 respectively. Based on the statistical measures, the performance of the observed meteorological data is better than the predicted meteorological data. From the graphical analysis, it was clear that the values of predicted meteorological data were highly correlated with the observed meteorological data except at peaks. Hence, CFSR data can be used as a reliable data source in data scarce areas. The land use change impact play a major role in alternating the stream flow because of the rapid socio-economic development. The land use map for the year 2000 and 2017 were prepared. While comparing the land use for the year 200 and 2017 , it is found that the urban areas drastically increased from 3.01 to 20.01 % because of the rapid socio economic development. The forest land reduced from 22.24 to 21.31%. The percentage area under paddy decreased from 17.57 to 6.12 %. The model was simulated for the period from 1989 to 2016 with the two years of warm up period. Then the comparison of simulated discharge for the year 2000 and 2016 were evaluated. The results showed that there is no significant change in stream flow when the land use alone is changed keeping all other factors same.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigation on design parameters for the development of a pineapple harvester
    (Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2018) Athira Prasad; KAU; Shivaji, K P
    The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit with significant economical importance. The mechanisation in the field of pineapple harvesting has become inevitable. Basic information on its cultivation practices and physical and mechanical properties is essential for the design and development of suitable machinery. Cutting energy and cutting force requirement are some of the vital information in the design aspects of mechanical harvester. As brush cutters have bcome very common machinerry used by farmers and different attachments on brush cutter suitable for harvesting paddy, sugarcane and pineapple have already been developed and are used. Hence this study is focused on investigation on desigh parameters for the development of a pineapple harvesting attachment to brush cutter and evaluation of different designs of fruit holders. The curring energy requirement was determined using an impact test rig apparatus. The maximum cutting force was then calculated from the cutting energy. For the mechanical harvesting of pineapple, three fruit holders were designed and fabricated. The holder-A supports the fruit and the distance between the cutting edge and holder is fixed. Holder-1 supports the fruit and it can move with respect to the cutting edge. Holder -2 can grip the fruit but the distance and between the cutting edge and holder is fixed. Holder-3 can grip the fruit and it can move with respect to the cutting edge. The field tests of the holders were then conducted to evaluate their performance in comparison with the existing fruit holder. The average height of a pineapple plant was obtained as 94.57 cm with a standard deviation of 20.62 cm. The average number of leaves was obtainded as 47 with a standard deviation 13.2. The average height of fruit from ground and angle of inclination was observed as 33.2 cm and 38.2 respectively. The eaverage diameter of stem was 26.69 mm with a standard deviation of 8.57 mm. The maxixmum cutting energy and force of pineapple stem was obtained as 18.10 J and 842.70 N respevtively, during the first harvest. In case of pineapple leaves, older leaves require maximum cutting energy of 9.60 J. The field evaluation of fruit holders was conducted and it ws found that the holder-1 with 150 mm diameter blade requires minimum time for harvesting, 132 fruits/h, minimum damages of leaves, 5 nos. and more comfortable in handlilng and operating.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Regional groundwater resource modelling using modflow - a case study
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2018) Uday Bhanu Prakash; KAU; Sasikala, D
    Water is the basic need for all living organisms and is essential for sustainable development. World is facing a growing demand for high quality water resources while the water availability remains constant. Quantifying the water resources is necessary for efficient use of water resources. Groundwater modelling is a tool used to study the groundwater behavior and quantify the groundwater resource. In this study, Visual MODFLOW was used to study the groundwater behavior and predict groundwater heads at different scenarios in West Godavari district. Andhra Pradesh is known as ‘Rice bowl of India’. East Godavari and West Godavari districts contribute to the maximum production of paddy in Andhra Pradesh. Around 3000TMC of Godavari river is draining into bay of Bengal, whereas flow in Krishna River is in a critical condition. So, Government of Andhra Pradesh planned to divert surplus water in Godavari river to Krishna river using ‘Pattiseema lift irrigation project’. Pattiseema lift irrigation project will pumping around 100 -125 TMC using 24 motors to Godavari river. The main objective of the study is to analyse the spatial and temporal variation of groundwater, identifying the potential groundwater zones to collect the lithology and developing the groundwater flow model for the study area were the different objectives of the study. Spatial and temporal variation of the groundwater heads was studied using a plot between groundwater heads at different locations with respect to time and observed that groundwater vary with respect to topography, climate and soil properties. Potential groundwater zones were identified by developing map using groundwater heads. Different locations were selected and well log was collected from Groundwater and Water audit Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. From lithology data, it is observed that major portion of the West Godavari district was occupied by sandstone followed by clay, sand, clayey sandstone, granite gneissis and shales. Model is developed using data from 53 head observation wells from 2003 to 2017. 117 A model was developed by assigning all boundaries, aquifer properties and head observation levels. Calibration and validation of the model was done. The model has been used for prediction with different scenarios and also used to study the groundwater behavior at different scenarios. Model was also used to study the effect of ‘Pattiseema lift irrigation project’ on groundwater recharge. After assigning all inputs, the model was calibrated with 2003 to 2005 year data in steady state condition with and 2006 to 2011 data was added for transient state condition. Calibrated model was validated using groundwater heads up to 2017. In validation a new recharge layer is added considering the effect of lift irrigation canal. Validated model was used for prediction. In prediction the effect of decreasing recharge by 5 per cent in every five year for the next fifteen years was studied. The effect of increasing the pumping rate by 5 per cent in every five year for the next fifteen years was also studied. The effect of ‘Pattiseema lift irrigation project was also studied and we observed that considering the lift irrigation project there was an increase in the net recharge from 50 mm/year to 100 mm/year. There was also a 3 m rise in groundwater level nearer to the canal From this study, it was observed that West Godavari district is safe with increase in pumping rate and decrease in recharge up to 2032. This is due to the recharge from rivers and lift irrigation canal. Considering the predicted heads and surface water availability, proper cropping pattern can be adopted to increase productivity. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater can also be adopted in the study area to solve the water shortage problem. A better understanding of the behavior of the groundwater resources of the area can help in making efficient managerial decisions in future
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of geomorphology on runoff characteristics of a catchment
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2018) Chethan, B J; KAU; Vishnu, B