Pumping test analysis for assessment of hydraulic parameters and aquifer system formation in hilly terrain

Groundwater conditions (GWCs) of an area depends on aquifer hydraulic parameters such as storativity () or storage coefficient (), transmissivity () and hydraulic conductivity (). It plays a key role concerning- groundwater flow modeling, well performance, solute and contaminants transports assessment and also for identification of areas for additional hydrologic testing. Specifically, the geologic formation of a regions control the porosity and permeability, however, in hilly terrain prospecting ground water potential is more challenging due to its limited extent and its occurrences that are usually confined to fractures and weathered rocks. The present study, aims at estimating the hydraulic parameters through pumping test analysis to assess aquifer system formation on hilly terrain from 16 bore wells. The aforesaid parameters were examined through a case study in some selective regions of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study area is controlled under two main geological horizons that is the post-tertiary and tertiary. The papers end with comparative results of hydraulic parameters and the aquifers system formation on different GWCs which may be helpful in the outlook of sustainable groundwater resource in the regions.

Interprofessional collaboration to manage allergic disorders in rural areas of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Allergic disorders are common and affect a large population even in rural areas. Medical care is not easily accessible to rural population especially in hilly terrain. Health camps are effective method to deliver medical care in such areas. Interprofessional collaboration involving various professions who work together as a team for management of various disorders is being studied and practiced recently. Aims and Objectives: To study the impact of interprofessional collaboration at these rural health camps to control allergies prevalent in the rural areas of the region. Methodology: Around 18 interprofessional health camps involving doctors of various disciplines – ENT, pulmonary medicine, skin, eyes, yoga experts, health and sanitation workers, public health, lab technicians, pharmacist and nursing staff were held in rural areas with an attempt to manage allergic disorders prevalent there as a team. The treatment was provided as a collaboration of various professions. Results: 608 patients of allergic disorders were identified at these camps which were more prevalent in younger and middle age group and females. The common allergens were dust mite mix, pine mix, cockroach and grass pollen. Nasal allergies were more common followed by skin and pulmonary allergies. On follow up, allergies were more controlled (48%) in patients who followed interprofessional advise and treatment as compared to (5%) in those who didn’t follow the same. Conclusion: Allergic disorders can be best managed by a holistic approach of treatment involving various professions. Health camps through interprofessional approach are an excellent method to provide medical care to rural population in difficult hilly terrain. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 96-100

Heavy-duty truck platooning on hilly terrain highways: Methods for assessment and improvement

Platooning heavy-duty trucks is a proven method to reduce fuel consumption on flat ground, but a significant portion of the U.S. highway system covers hilly terrain. The effort described in this paper uses experimentally gathered single truck data from a route with hilly terrain and an experimentally-validated two-truck platoon simulation framework to analyze control methods for effective platooning on hilly terrain. Specifically, this effort investigates two platoon control aspects: (1) the lead truck’s vehicle speed control and (2) the platoon’s transmission shifting algorithm. Three different types of lead truck speed control strategies are analyzed using the validated platoon model. Two are commercially available cruise control strategies – conventional constant set speed cruise control (CCC) and flexible set speed cruise control (FCC). The third lead truck speed control strategy was developed by the authors in this paper. It uses look-ahead grade information for an entire route to create an energy-optimal speed profile for the lead truck which is called long-horizon predictive cruise control (LHPCC). Then, a two-truck platoon transmission shifting strategy that coordinates the shift events – Simultaneous Shifting (SS) – is introduced and compared to a commercially available shifting strategy using the validated platoon model. This shifting strategy demonstrates further improvements in the platoon performance by improving the platoon gap control. A summary of these simulations demonstrates that the performance of the platoon can be improved by three methods: adding speed flexibility to the lead truck speed control method, using look-ahead road grade information to generate energy-optimal speed targets for the lead truck, and coordinating the timing of the transmission shifts for each truck in the platoon.

Waterproofing of primary lining in tunnel using nano chemicals and soil modifiers in Concrete

The use of waterproofing chemicals in the field of concrete technology has proven a significant boom in the civil engineering industry by increasing the life of concrete structures. The materials such as nano-acrylic polymers resulted, significant control over the water leakage and damping conditions especially Terrasil and Zycobond and various nano sealers such as Zycoprime+ and Zycosil+. In this study, the primary focus is to waterproof tunnels using the various acrylic, nano-technological, and soil modifier chemicals to stabilize the tunnel structure in areas of hilly terrain. The use of these chemicals has been sourced in other areas of application but the least glance is seen in the field of tunnel engineering. These chemicals bind with the concrete and form a hydrophobic layer thus decreasing the permeability of concrete structure. In the present study the percentage of Zycobond and Terrasil used was 1.5% by weight of concrete and the ratio for Zs+:Zp+:water was 1:2:20. Tunnels especially in hilly terrain pass the flowing streams, thus making it more prone to damping conditions. So, poor site conditions result in less durability of concrete as well as steel, therefore improvement in engineering properties using these chemicals is primarily sought out in this paper. The factors considered during the use were the permeability, strength, volumetric analysis of chemicals, material properties etc. Water-proofing the concrete improves various engineering properties such as permeability, compressive strength, durability, strength, and various other properties of Concrete. The study emphasized to gauge the viability of Zycosil+ and Zycoprime+, Terrasil and Zycobond as waterproofing agents in concrete.

Perceived Usefulness of Airborne LiDAR Technology in Road Design and Management: A Review

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveying technology plays an important role in road design, and it is increasingly implemented in the design stage. The ability of LiDAR as a remote sensing technology to be used in non-accessible places (i.e., hilly terrain, steep slope) makes it a powerful tool, and it has the potential to provide benefits that simplify existing design processes for designers and practitioners. This paper reviews the application of airborne LiDAR in road design and factors including items from the perceived usefulness of technology. The context of the future direction of LiDAR technology is highlighted in civil engineering road design, roadway inspection and as-built documentation. The implementation of this technology is expected to assist the end-users in developing more manageable planning for road construction and thus to ensure the usage of LiDAR technology is enhanced from time to time, especially in Malaysia.