WILLIAM O. RASMUSSEN PhD.
Associate Professor.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
B.S.,
Univ. of Idaho, 1964, Physics
M.S., Univ. of Idaho,
1967, Physics
Ph. D., Univ. of
Arizona, 1973, Watershed Management (Geophysics)
RESEARCH FOCUS
The overriding theme of my research has been, and continues to be,
environmental simulation and analysis. This entails developing quantitative
techniques to describe the functioning and interaction of various components of
the environment.
These
activities have ranged from developing a number of computer models and analysis
tools that could be used to predict the response of the environment to various
types of perturbations by defense systems to the spread of pollutants in the
subsurface.
Other
activities have addressed the quantification of visibility. These include
defining, developing, and demonstrating the concepts of a visibility diagram,
bi-directional visibility, visual space index, as well as statistical, linear,
and area visual buffer strips. Other techniques were developed for use with
moving observers and/or objects of view that predict the quality of the view of
the object as well as the duration of view.
Additional
activities have developed techniques for addressing the stochastic variability
in the dynamics of environmental systems. The stochastic simulation techniques
were begun in the hydrodynamics of surface water flow and then extended into
the subsurface flow of water and pollutants. They are proving to have
applicability in a number of other areas.
Other
current activities involve the use of electrokinetics and other processes for
various geotechnical, hydrodynamic, and remediation problems.
Selected
Publications
Course
Contact Dr. W.
O. Rasmussen at 
524 Shantz
Department of Agricultural an Biosystems Engineering
The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Tel: (520) 621-4042 - Fax:
(520) 621-3963
