Development and Implementation of Snowmelt Simulations in an Augmented Reality Sandbox

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Ainsworth, T. (2021). Development and Implementation of Snowmelt Simulations in an Augmented Reality Sandbox. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

In cold climates snowmelt runoff prediction is an important factor in the prediction of seasonal flooding and springtime water availability. Engineers study snowmelt and its effects on the environment, such as changes in stream flow, for this purpose. Typically, snowmelt is taught at the college level. This research creates a snowpack and snowmelt simulation that can be used to introduce the concept to younger audience.The Augmented Reality (AR) sandbox was created by University of California (UC) Davis' W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES). An AR sandbox includes an Xbox Kinect depth sensor, a short throw projector, a computer with a graphics card, and a sand surface. The sandbox allows users to move the sand that is then augmented in real time with a colored topographic map and simulated water flow. AR sandboxes are a hands-on tool that can be used to teach students concepts such as runoff, watersheds, and the reading topographic maps. UC Davis has made the code and designs for their AR sandbox open source and available online. Similar sandboxes can now be found around the world as both a museum exhibit and as learning or research tools in schools. A mathematical model snowpack and snowmelt simulation was developed for the AR sandbox. The model implements a height-based freeze mechanism to generate a snowpack based on a user created topography and a simulate time based melting behavior. This set of equations used a percentage based system to remove an amount from the existing snowpack and add that to the liquid water quantity. The level of detail and complexity captured by this snowpack and snowmelt model is consistent with the realtime nature of the AR sandbox and the overall level of detail in the existing calculations. The new model was then implemented into the AR sandbox code. The software design supports easy implementation into other code bases in the open source community.To support the use of the snowmelt simulation as an educational tool, a set of educational materials were created. These materials were made with the intent of being used alongside the AR sandbox with the snowmelt simulation to create a semi-guided hands-on display.This research developed a numerically accurate snowmelt simulation with intuitive visual effects for use as a research and education tool. The code developed for this simulation can be extended further for other weather-based simulations. Possible future additions could include frozen lakes, avalanches, and weather fronts.

Details
Author

Ainsworth, Tyler

Title

Development and Implementation of Snowmelt Simulations in an Augmented Reality Sandbox

Physical Description

1 online resource (64 pages) : PDF

Date

2021

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

In cold climates snowmelt runoff prediction is an important factor in the prediction of seasonal flooding and springtime water availability. Engineers study snowmelt and its effects on the environment, such as changes in stream flow, for this purpose. Typically, snowmelt is taught at the college level. This research creates a snowpack and snowmelt simulation that can be used to introduce the concept to younger audience.The Augmented Reality (AR) sandbox was created by University of California (UC) Davis' W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES). An AR sandbox includes an Xbox Kinect depth sensor, a short throw projector, a computer with a graphics card, and a sand surface. The sandbox allows users to move the sand that is then augmented in real time with a colored topographic map and simulated water flow. AR sandboxes are a hands-on tool that can be used to teach students concepts such as runoff, watersheds, and the reading topographic maps. UC Davis has made the code and designs for their AR sandbox open source and available online. Similar sandboxes can now be found around the world as both a museum exhibit and as learning or research tools in schools. A mathematical model snowpack and snowmelt simulation was developed for the AR sandbox. The model implements a height-based freeze mechanism to generate a snowpack based on a user created topography and a simulate time based melting behavior. This set of equations used a percentage based system to remove an amount from the existing snowpack and add that to the liquid water quantity. The level of detail and complexity captured by this snowpack and snowmelt model is consistent with the realtime nature of the AR sandbox and the overall level of detail in the existing calculations. The new model was then implemented into the AR sandbox code. The software design supports easy implementation into other code bases in the open source community.To support the use of the snowmelt simulation as an educational tool, a set of educational materials were created. These materials were made with the intent of being used alongside the AR sandbox with the snowmelt simulation to create a semi-guided hands-on display.This research developed a numerically accurate snowmelt simulation with intuitive visual effects for use as a research and education tool. The code developed for this simulation can be extended further for other weather-based simulations. Possible future additions could include frozen lakes, avalanches, and weather fronts.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Fluid mechanics

Degree

M.S.

Keywords

Augmented Reality
Runoff
Snowmelt

Subject Area

Applied Energy & Electromechanical System

Advisor(s)

Smith, Elizabeth

Committee Members

Williams, Wesley
Rice-Boayue, Jacelyn

Degree Note

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021.

Rights Statement

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Ainsworth_uncc_0694N_12994

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2910