Engineering Commons^™

Analysis Of Drought Using Meteorological And Microwave Remote Sensed Data: A Case Of Wami Watershed, Tanzania, Deogratias Mulungu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Agricultural sector is important for the economy of Tanzania, but in recent years there is decline in its growth and performance because of persistent droughts. An in-depth study of droughts was conducted on Wami watershed through rainfall and satellite microwave remote sensing data leading for estimates of meteorological droughts and soil moisture based droughts, respectively. Rainfall data during 1973-2008 was used to obtain Drought Severity Index (DSI) and active imaging microwave radar data during 1997-2009 from ESA’s SAR missions of ENVISAT and ERS was used to obtain soil moisture anomalies (SMA). Soil map was used to explain discrepancies in droughts …

Amplification Of Earthquake Ground Motions In Washington, Dc, And Implications For Hazard Assessments In Central And Eastern North America, Thomas L. Pratt, J. Wright Horton Jr., Jessica Munoz, Susan E. Hough, Martin C. Chapman, C. Guney Olgun

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The extent of damage in Washington, DC, from the 2011 M_W 5.8 Mineral, VA, earthquake was surprising for an epicenter 130 km away; U.S. Geological Survey “Did-You-Feel-It” reports suggest that Atlantic Coastal Plain and other unconsolidated sediments amplified ground motions in the city. We measure this amplification relative to bedrock sites using earthquake signals recorded on a temporary seismometer array. The spectral ratios show strong amplification in the 0.7 to 4 Hz frequency range for sites on sediments. This range overlaps with resonant frequencies of buildings in the city as inferred from their heights, suggesting amplification at frequencies to …

Technology To Manufacture Oriented Pvc (Pvc-O) Pipes, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The development of Molecor´s technology, which is based on the application of a Molecular Orientation process, has delivered a significant turning point in the pipelines sector. With this technological development, the company has begun to manufacture TOM® PVC-O pipes, the most eco-friendly pipes on the market. The Molecor technology enabled eradicating many of the existing disadvantages of thermoplastic pipes.

This technology delivers a clear objective; to provide the water industry with a solution for pipes carrying pressurized water in an environmentally friendly, yet cost efficient manner. This also extends a service life compared to pipeline materials currently in use.

The …

Subsurface Characterization Of Flexible Pavements Constructed Over Expansive Soil Subgrades And Selection Of Suitable Rehabilitation Alternatives, Kazi Moinul Islam

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Expansive soils present significant engineering challenges, with annual costs associated with repairing structures constructed over expansive soils estimated to run into several billion dollars. Volume changes in expansive soil deposits induced by fluctuations in the moisture content can result in severe damage to overlying structures. A flexible pavement section near the Western Border of Idaho has experienced recurrent damage due to volume changes in the underlying expansive soil layer; traditional stabilization methods have provided partial success over the years. The main objective of this research effort was to characterize the problematic soil layer contributing to the recurrent pavement damage and …

Lucidpipe™ Power System, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

In most gravity fed water transmission pipelines, it is desired to reduce excess pressure head to prevent undue strain on a pipeline and lower the incidence of leaks. Normally this is done with pressure reducing valves that essentially burn off this excess pressure as heat. The LucidPipe™ system converts it to low cost electricity thereby removing unwanted pressure and generating energy at the same time - energy that can be put used behind the grid or put back on the grid. The LucidPipe™ system extracts a small percentage of pressure head providing nearly invisible operation allowing water operators to fulfill …

Post-Liquefaction Residual Strength Assessment Of The Las Palmas, Chile Tailings Failure, Tristan Reyes Gebhart

Master's Theses

Assessment of post-liquefaction residual strength is needed for the development of empirically-based, predictive correlations for earthquake engineering design. Previous practice commonly assigned negligible strengths to liquefied materials for engineering analysis, producing overly-conservative designs. Increasingly available case history data, and improved analytical tools have allowed for more accurate and less overly-conservative estimation of soil residual strength, improving empirical predictive models. This study provides a new case history to the limited suite of (approximately 30) liquefaction failure case histories available for post-liquefaction in-situ strength predictive correlations.

This case history documents the Las Palmas gold mine tailings dam failure, resulting from seismic-induced liquefaction …

Use Of Laboratory Geophysical And Geotechnical Investigation Methods To Characterize Gypsum Rich Soils, Raghava A. Bhamidipati

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Gypsum rich soils are found in many parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Most gypsum occurs in the form of evaporites, which are minerals that precipitate out of water due to a high rate of evaporation and a high mineral concentration. Gypsum rich soils make good foundation material under dry conditions but pose major engineering hazards when exposed to water. Gypsum acts as a weak cementing material and has a moderate solubility of about 2.5 g/liter. The dissolution of gypsum causes the soils to undergo unpredictable collapse settlement leading to severe structural damages. The damages incur …

Unraveling The Formation Of Continental Crust : A Review And Outlook, Eason Hong, Wei-Ting Kao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The early Earth is generally believed to be a hot planet with a primitive basaltic oceanic crust. However, the question of how a batholiths-bearing continent was formed is still unresolved. Although many hypothetical interpretations seem appealing, the origin and volume dilemma of the batholiths is still under debate. According to recent literature, the Hadean Ocean is characterized by heat, acidity and reduction, significantly unlike its counterparts in Earth's history. We have found that this crucial marine setting, favoring the chemical weathering of basaltic rocks, is the key element for forming and stabilizing the primitive continents through convergent tectonics and the …

Network Inventory Map Book 8: Breede-Gouritz, South Africa

Policy

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is the custodian of ten national monitoring programs. The overall aim of this project is to undertake an evaluation of each monitoring network, in its present condition, and to redesign and realign the network based on scientific analysis and the strategic and management objectives of DWS and of the country as a whole. The water resources monitoring network will be optimised to ensure sustainable, relevant and up-to-date data of an acceptable quality. This Network Inventory Task focused on the production of maps to illustrate the spatial distribution of the existing monitoring stations for …

Soil-Bentonite Slurry Trench Cutoff Wall Proposal, Jeffrey C. Evans, Michael A. Malusis, Robert W. Jacob

NSF Soil-Bentonite Slurry Trench Cutoff Wall Documents

This is the proposal to the National Science Foundation for a soil-bentonite slurry trench cutoff wall. The proposal includes a project summary, description of the project, and the resources implemented on the project.

Sodhana Environmental - Final Design Report, Eric Taylor, Corissa Bellis, Cody Perez, Cameron Zeller

Mechanical Engineering

A fully designed cost-effective, sustainable, toilet for the developing world.

Geotechnical Aspects Of Recent Extreme Floods In Pakistan; A Case History, Sarfraz Ali, Fawad Akram, Abdul Qudoos Khan, Misba-Hafsa

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Topographically, Pakistan comprises three major areas; Northern Highland Area, Indus Basin and Baluchistan Plateau. Its elevation varies from Mean sea Level (0 meter) at south to 8619 meters in the North at K-2 Peak. Northern Highland Area, generally sloping southwards includes Himalayan, Karakorum and Hindu-Kush ranges covering approximately an area of 155,831 square kilometers. Indus Basin stretches from foothills of Northern Highland Area to Arabian Sea in south covering approximately an area of 346,259 square kilometers. Baluchistan Plateau in the West and South comprises mountain ranges of Koh-i-Suleman, Kirther, blow-outs of coralline and lacustrine deposits along coastal belt and covers …

Table Of Contents, Multiple Authors

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Spl-1: Sarfaz Ali, Sarfaz Ali

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Cnb-1: Tony A. Kiefer, P.E., Tony A. Kiefer

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Failure Probability Of Slopes In Residual Soil From The Aburrá Valley, Medellín Colombia, Juan Pablo Villada Rodas, Manuel Roberto Villarraga

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In recent years the evaluation of failure probability on slope stability analyses has become important because it has been presented as a representative method helping to complement the factor of safety. As part of this paper, it is proposed the evaluation of the failure probability in cut slopes on residual soils from the Aburrá valley. Statistical analyses were performed on the most important variables, considering continuous statistical distributions. Sensitivity analyses were performed to quantify their influence in the stability. As a result, some abacuses are developed in which the height and the slope angle are related to the failure probability …

Conference Schedule, Multiple Authors

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Preface, Shamsher Prakash

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Rbp-1: Shamsher Prakash, Shamsher Prakash

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Historical Application Of Screw-Piles And Screw-Cylinder Foundations For 19th Century Ocean Piers, Alan J. Lutenegger

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Iron Screw-Pile foundations were first introduced by Alexander Mitchell in the middle of the 19th Century for support of offshore lighthouses in shallow water ocean environments. Large diameter Screw-Piles with helical blades ranging from 2.5 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter were routinely used during this period and were constructed with either a solid iron central shaft (Screw-Pile) or a large diameter hollow cylindrical pipe shaft (Screw-Cylinder). Soon after their introduction, Screw-Piles and Screw-Cylinders were being used in pier construction, to allow ocean front piers to be constructed quickly and economically in many parts of the world, while at the …

A Case Study On The Use Of Flexible Earth Retaining Structure In Instable Slopes, H. Turan Durgunoglu, Ahmet Sahin, Onder Akcakal

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Recently new highway, motorway and railway projects take place in many developing countries within the aggressive infrastructure investment programme of governments. In rugged topography, engineers face the challenging problems of designing safe and cost effective cuts and fills for these projects especially under seismic loading and marginal stability conditions. Overall stability mechanism and safety of the cut generally controls the design decisions for the relevant section. In addition, because of the construction width limitations, in some mechanically stabilized earth wall projects sufficient width to accommodate the strip lengths of the retaining system cannot be provided. To eliminate all these problems, …

Liquefaction Of Mine Tailings, Vijay K. Puri, Todd R. Kostecki

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Liquefaction of mine tailings is known to occur during cyclic, quasi-static & static loading cases but is still a relatively misunderstood concept because tailings dam failures continue to occur. In the worst case scenario the results are high costs, hindered public perception, environmental cleanup and worst of all, the loss of life. A better understanding of this issue is essential for any engineer associated with the mining and/or geotechnical industry, and in particular tailings dam construction and maintenance. This paper presents the liquefaction concept, some case histories dealing with failure of mine tailings dams, available testing methods and some dated …

Forensic Geotechnical Distress Evaluation Of Damaged Buildings In Alluvial-Loessic Soils; A Case History, Sarfraz Ali, Abdul Qudoos Khan, Usman Zafar, Talha Haider Shehryar

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The city of Hyderabad is a part of lower Indus Basin with arid-tropical climatic conditions. Geologically, the soil deposits near Hyderabad are of alluvial-loessic nature underlain by limestone beds alternating with clay layers. Groundwater is present at shallow depth which fluctuates to even shallower depths during monsoon season in the months of July and August. In recent past, large number of buildings built over shallow foundations in the city suffered structural damages of varying scale in the form of cracks and settlements. Some of these buildings were declared dangerous from safety and stability view point and got vacated by local …

General Report - Session 5, Dimitrios Zekkos, Neven Matasovic, Daniel A. Vellone

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This General Report summarizes the papers submitted to Session 5 titled “Case Histories and Failure of Geological, Rock and Mining Engineering, including Underground Structures and Excavations, and Subsidence of Deltas, Anticipation, Characterization, Design and Construction in the Geological Complexity of Mélanges, Fault Rocks, Weathered Rocks, Boulder Colluvium, Lahars, and Similar Bimrocks (Block-in-Matrix Rocks) and Rock/Soil Mixtures.” A total of eleven papers covering the broad session themes described above were submitted. The geographic distribution of the case histories is listed in Table 1. Overall, five papers were submitted from Asia, two from Africa, two from North America, and two from Europe.

Punch-Through Foundation Failure Of Oil Drilling Platform In The Deltaic Plain Of The Niger River, E. A. J. George, T. J. Atuboyedia, M. Oju, T. E. George

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The deltaic plains of the Niger River are composed mostly of Pleistocene sediments. On the occurrence of low stands of the sea level due to eustatic changes, the sediments were exposed to temperature fluctuations during the Quaternary period, leading to strata sequence generated in these plains that allowed strong layers of soil to overlie weaker layers of the same age. Most of the onshore explorations for oil and gas in Nigeria take place within these plains of the Niger. A well was to be drilled in search of oil and gas in allocation within these plains. As often done, a …

Damage On A Main Gas Pipeline Due To Landslide Of Soils Derived From Volcanic Ashes In Colombia, Gilberto Ch. Rodriguez, Julián V. Rodriguez, Natalia A. Quintero, Jorge E. Villamarín

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In December 2011 a great proportion slope failed affecting the main gas pipeline (20” diameter) that supplies Colombia’s southwest area. The landslide involved materials formed by soils derived from volcanic ashes and residual soils, typical in Colombia’s central zone, which acquired great energy flowing in an avalanche through the natural watercourse. The avalanche generated soil erosion over the torrent banks, generating the watercourse deepening and the deterioration of adjacent slopes over which the pipeline runs. There were identified as landslides triggering aspects the atypical raining period due to “La Niña” climatic phenomenon and the soils removal at the slope base …

Case Study Of Landslides In Kabylia Region, Algeria, Sadaoui Omar, Sadaoui Samir, Bahar Ramdane

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Kabylia is mountainous and coastline region of Algeria. Every year, particularly in the winter, it is affected by landslides displacing an important volume of detritic materials, and causing damages to infrastructures, housing and public facilities. It takes place in geological formations that are particularly favourable to this type of movement, because of the heterogeneity of their facies and the impermeability of some layers. Experience shows that the main cause of the landslides in this region is the combination of several passive and active factors, as geology, morphology, hydrology, climate and anthropic activities. The exceptional rains of winter 2012 triggered a …

Dynamic Properties Of Stabilized Subgrade Clay Soil, Argaw Asha Ashango, Nihar Ranjan Patra

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Expansive soils are fine-grained soils that can undergo a significant volume change due to the variation of water content. A change in the water content of weak subgrade material under the roadway is a cause for the damage of the road pavement. During an earthquake, the soft clay will lose the small shear strength it possesses which causes cracks and movements of the road. In the present study, soil samples were collected from Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study area is at risk for seismic damage due to Himalayan frontal fault earthquakes. The soils samples are highly expansive in nature …

Predicting The Dynamic Behavior Of Coal Mine Tailings Using State-Of-Practice Geotechnical Field Methods, Ali Salehian

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

This study is focused on developing a method to predict the dynamic behavior of mine tailings dams under earthquake loading. Tailings dams are a by-product of coal mining and processing activities. Mine tailings impoundments are prone to instability and failure under seismic loading as a result of the mechanical behavior of the tailings. Due to the existence of potential seismic sources in close proximity to the coal mining regions in the United States, it is necessary to assess the post-earthquake stability of these tailings dams.

To develop the aforementioned methodology, 34 cyclic triaxial tests along with vane shear tests were …

Correlation Between Grain Dislocation Density And Orientation For Naturally Deformed Mantle Xenolith From Jagersfontein Mine, Quinton Guerrero, Quinlan Smith

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Determining the reaction of poly-crystalline structures to induced stress is an extremely difficult problem in contemporary engineering and geology. The main challenge lies in the inhomogeneity of the grains inside of the poly-crystalline structures. To predict the response of a certain polycrystalline structure to a specific stress, you must resort to one of two views on grain interaction, an orientation or propagation based model. For every material there may be certain correlations between the prediction model used and the actual deformation that occurred. Our work centers around describing the correlation of these prediction models with a sample of naturally deformed …