Evaluating Soil Water Matric Pressure and Sorptivity Relationship as Affected by some Properties of a Clay Soil

Sorptivity (S) is the fundamental variable controlling the early infiltration process. Besides soil properties, soil initial water content (θi) and/or matric pressure (hi) are key factors determining extent of S. Assessment of interrelationship among S, hi and soil properties can provide a considerable insight into understanding the behaviour of dry soils to rainfall or irrigation water. This study was conducted to evaluate relationship between S and some selected soil parametric and morphometric properties within a range of hi. Sixteen undisturbed soil samples (5 cm id, 5 cm length) were taken from the topsoil (0-15 cm) of a paddy soil with clay texture. Sorptivity was measured with a mini-disc infiltrometer (MDI) on the samples equilibrated at h, ranging from -20 to -1500 kPa. A parameter (η), representing the relationship between S and hi, was introduced. Correlation analysis was conducted between η and selected soil morphometric and parametric properties. Soil structure and clay content appeared the most important soil attributes influencing S-hi relation between -200 and -1500 kPa. The results provided a fundamental understanding on S-hi-soil properties interrelations in a clay soil. The methodology developed in this study can be used to evaluate S-hi relationship across different soils and scales.

The application of vapour equilibrium technique to control suction to study the shrinkage and water retention of compacted Claystone-Bentonite mixtures

Understanding soil shrinkage and retaining water is essential for learning more about the possibility of cracking of liner. Moreover, the factors that influence it are also important to know to improve the material tested as hazardous waste liners. The vapour equilibrium technique is widely used to control suction of compacted soils experiencing drying-wetting phenomena. It is considered to be inexpensive, simple, and has the ability to adequately control the suction applied to soil samples. This paper, therefore, describes its application in studying the shrinkage and water retention in compacted claystone-bentonite mixtures. This involved using five saturated salt solutions including potassium sulphate (K2SO4), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2.6H2O). The sample was allowed to be in equilibrium with the relative humidity salt solution and a calliper was used to measure the dimensions every day up to when this was achieved. The results showed the bentonite in the mixture affects the amount of shrinkage and water retention while the sample’s initial moisture content was also found to be very influential on the magnitude of the primary and residual shrinkage. Moreover, the sample’s ability to hold water was almost the same without differentiating the initial water content at a total suction of more than 41084.91 kPa.

Factors affecting the swelling pressure for Jerash expansive soil

In this study for factors effecting the swelling pressure of jerash expansive soils were investigated in this study, effect of initial dry density and effect of initial water content on the jerash expansive soil were investigated.It show that as the initial dry density decrease from 1.85 gm/cm3 to1.25 gm/cm3 , the swelling pressure also decrease are from 3.1 to 0.25gm/cm2 also it show that as the initial water content increase from 0%to 15% , the swelling pressure of jerash expansive soil decrease from 2.65 gm/cm2 to 1.35 gm/cm2 .

Characterization of the High Swelling Green Clay in the Vicinity of Amman Area

Introduction: Jordan is awarded huge areas in the north and western part of the country in which brown and green clay is dominant. This research focuses on the problems and behaviour of the green clay only. The main problem of the green clay is its high swelling pressure which is the main cause of excessive settlement and wall cracks in buildings, especially during the wet season. Methods: This study aims to investigate the engineering properties and behaviour of the green clay deposits in the Amman area, which will serve as a guide for both geotechnical and structural engineers when preparing the foundation design. Results: Based on the consolidation test, the investigated green clay showed high swelling pressure of 3.11 kg/cm2, liquid limit (LL) of 73%, plasticity index (PI) of 40%, the shrinkage limit (SL) of 12%, and liquidity index (LI) of 0.125. The moisture content at saturation is 35.14%, while the natural moisture content is 28%, dry density is 1407 kg/m3, cohesion (C) is 0.20 kg/cm2 and unconfined compressive strength is 1.05 kg/cm2. The XRD results of the clay size fraction have confirmed the presence of the expansive clay mineral smectite as the essential clay mineral together with kaolinite. Results provide a general understanding of the behaviour and properties of the green clay, and the regression analysis showed good correlations between the liquid limit and initial moisture content with the compression index and also between the initial void ratios with the swelling index. Conclusion: Changes in the volume are due to the unsaturation level of clay when provided with initial water content.

Desiccation-resurrection linked antioxidant machinery of a moss species Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Bird.

Dehydration and rejuvenation during rehydration is the salient feature of certain plants which can withstand drought. The present study was undertaken to justify the tolerance capacity of Campylopus flexuosus, the moss of the Ponmudi belts of Thiruvananthapuram, against dehydration followed by rehydration. Fresh leafy plants of C. flexuosus were hydrated, afterwards dried, and rehydrated under in vitro environment. In the course of loss of water from cells, the relative water content of desiccated thallus was reduced after 4 h with intense inward curling. Upon rehydration, the RWC was regained 85% of its initial water content within hours. The rehydrated thallus showed the normal morphology. Photosynthetic parameters like chlorophyll b (1.01 to 1.56 μg g –1 ), and total carotenoid (0.251 to 0.514 μg g –1 ) increased remarkably in the desiccated state. Superoxide radical (O2 _) content increased (11.4 nmol/g FW), resulting in an oxidative burst during desiccation. Consequently, antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (0.369 U mg protein −1), superoxide dismutase ( 2.68 to 6.02 Units mg−1), peroxidase ( 0.12 μmol min−1 g−1 protein) and glutathione reductase ( 312 Units mg−1 protein) activities were up-regulated in the desiccated thallus to ameliorate oxidative damage. Increased malondialdehyde (1.08 nmol g−1 FW) content during desiccation substantiates membrane damage and loss of its integrity. During desiccation, the osmolytes sucrose and proline (27.6 and 2.57 μmol/g FW respectively) were enhanced to maintain cell structure integrity. After rehydration, biochemical and morphological properties were maintained similar to hydrated conditions. Thus, the study reflects the unique adaptations of the moss to tide over desiccation tolerance.

Water exchange in lupine grain under infrared radiation

Операция термообработки зерна с использованием радиационного (инфракрасного) энергоподвода, известная в России как высокотемпературная микронизация (ВТМ), чаще всего применяется на малых предприятиях по производству кормов, круп быстрого приготовления и зерновых хлопьев. Целью работы являлось изучение процесса нагрева и влагопотери зерна белого люпина в потоке ИК-излучения, а также разработка математических моделей изменения влажности зерна в зависимости от времени (экспозиции) нагрева, исходной влажности, температуры в рабочей зоне установки ИК-нагрева, при оценке поверхностной температуры радиационным методом. Объектом исследований было зерно белого люпина сорта Дега урожая 2019 года. Рассмотрение данной проблемы на примере белого люпина важно не только из-за её актуальности в кормопроизводстве, но и потому что люпин является перспективным источником растительного белка для пищевой промышленности. Факторами, оказывающими влияние на температуру зерна и его влажность, являются время обработки, температура среды в зоне обработки и исходная влажность зерна. Высота излучателя над поддоном определяет облучённость монослоя зерна и температуру среды в зоне обработки и является обобщающим фактором. Предлагаемые модели позволяют прогнозировать результаты ИК-термообработки семян белого люпина в зависимости от исходной влажности и времени нагрева при постоянстве остальных режимов. Обычно ВТМ установки не предполагают оперативного изменения параметров излучения и температуры среды в рабочей зоне. В то же время влажность сырья может существенно меняться. Однако следует учитывать, что данные модели удовлетворительно описывают процесс обезвоживания в пределах, ограниченных верхним значением температуры семян немногим более 100ºС. Grain heat treatment known as high-temperature micronization is often used at small-scale organizations producing forage, instant cereals and grain flakes. The goal of the investigation was to analyze heating and water loss of lupine grain under infrared rays as well as develop mathematical models of grain water content variation as affected by heating time, initial water content in grain, temperature in the working zone. The object of this study was white lupine “Dega” harvested in 2019. This investigation has a high value both for food and forage production since lupine is a good source of protein. The distance between a radiator and tray directly affects grain exposure rate and air temperature in the working zone. The models developed are able to prognose the possible outcomes when treating seeds of lupine. Initial water content in grain and exposure time has the most significant effect on the final result. Normally it is not possible to control radiation intensity and air temperature when using such an equipment. At the same time water content can vary significantly in raw materials used. Such models fit heating process most accurately under the temperature of slightly over 100ºС.

The ‘excess gas’ method for laboratory formation of methane hydrate-bearing sand: geotechnical application

Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in producing methane gas from hydrate-bearing sands (MHBS) located below the permafrost in arctic regions and offshore within continental margins. Geotechnical stability of production wellbores is one of the significant challenges during the gas extraction process. The vast majority of geotechnical investigations of MHBS have been conducted on laboratory-formed samples due to the complex procedure of undisturbed sample extraction. One of the most commonly used hydrate laboratory-formation methods is the excess-gas method. This work investigates fundamental aspects in the excess-gas formation of MHBS that are affecting the geotechnical interpretation and modeling. The work finds that (1) the measured temperature in the experimental system may be quite different from the in-sample temperature, and can reach 4 $$^\circ$$ ∘ C difference during thermodynamic processes. This potential difference must be considered in investigation of hydrate formation or dissociation, (2) various calculation approaches may yield different hydrate saturation values of up to tens of percentages difference in high hydrate saturations. The calculation formulas are specified together with the fundamental difference between them, (3) the water mixture method during the sample assembling is critical for homogeneous MHBS laboratory formation, in which a maximum initial water content threshold of 9.1 to 1.3 % are obtained for a minimal fraction size of 0.01 to 0.8 mm, respectively, (4) the hydrate formation duration may influence the MHBS properties, and should be rigorously estimated according to the real-time gas consumption convergence. The outcomes of this work may contribute to the integration of data sets derived from various experiments for the study of MHBS mechanical behavior.

Chloride Ions’ Penetration of Fly Ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slags-Based Alkali-Activated Mortars

Due to the need to reduce the CO2 emissions of mineral binders, researchers are considering the use of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) as an alternative to cementitious binders. The properties of AAMs can be more advantageous than those presented by cementitious binders, and thus they can replace Portland cement binders in some applications. Mechanical tests of AAMs are being conducted on an ongoing basis; however, durability issues related to reinforcing steel in conditions in which steel members interact with chloride ions remain unsolved. In this paper, the precursors for AAM preparations are blends of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) in four slag proportions: 0%, 10%, 30% and 50% expressed as a percent of FA mass. Four alkali-activated mortars were prepared, denominated as AAM 0, AAM 10, AAM 30 and AAM 50, respectively. Their basic physical and mechanical characteristics were investigated, as were their gas transport properties. The nitrogen Cembureau method was applied to determine the permeability of the mortar. The transport properties of the chloride ions were determined using the modified NT BUILD 492 migration test. The comparison of results obtained demonstrated a positive effect of GGBFS addition in terms of an increase in bulk density, permeability, porosity and, at the same time, a reduction in chloride ion penetration. The water absorption tests also provided insight into the open pore structures of mortars. The measurements revealed a strong dependence between fluid transport through the mortars and the water absorption and initial water content of materials.

Researching the change in the weight of split oak firewood due to different drying methods

In this paper, the influences of stacking methods and drying places of split oak firewood in winter conditions (Quercus cerris) have been experimentally and theoretically investigated, due to the great importance of use in heating with such wood. The research was conducted on a sample of 48 pieces of logs with bark made of freshly cut oak. The logs were obtained by mechanized technology with the help of grafting by a hydraulic splitter and a chainsaw. Each log was measured for a research length of 0.30 m, marked with numbers 1-24. On each log, the weight was measured on a scale of 5 kg with an accuracy of 0.5 grams. Drying of logs was performed in two places. The first drying place was in outdoor conditions, sheltered from the snow and ventilated. The second place was indoors, at approximately constant room temperature. The logs were stacked in a crossed way for better air circulation. They were dried between 15/12/2020 and 15/02/2021, a total of 62 days. The average initial weight of logs dried in the facility was 1130.3 g, in the dried state the average weight was 952.87 g, which represented 84.3% of the original weight. The average initial weight of logs dried in outdoor conditions was 1192.125 g, in the dried state 1076.37 g, which represented 90.29% of the original weight. The average initial water content in the logs dried in the facility was 37.9%, in the dried state it was 27.5%. For logs dried in outdoor conditions, the average initial amount of water was 36.6%, in the dried state the average amount of water was 31.2%.