Effect of Moisture Content on the Mechanical Properties of Watermelon Seed Varieties

The effect of moisture content on the mechanical properties of agricultural material is essential during design and adjustment of machines used during harvest, cleaning, separation, handling and storage. This study determined some mechanical properties of Black and Brown colored of watermelon seed grown in Nigeria under different moisture contents range of 6.5 to 27.8% (d.b). The results for the mechanical properties obtained ranged from 15.68-29.54 N for compressive force; 1.95-3.40 mm for compressive extension; 0.13-0.33 N mm-2 for compressive strength; and 0.17-1.93 kJ for deformation energy at vertical loading position while at horizontal loading position, results obtained ranged from 14.71-38.36 N for compressive force; 1.94-4.20 mm for compressive extension; 0.16-0.32 N mm-2 for compressive strength; and 1.47-76.39 kJ for deformation energy for Black colored watermelon seed. The compressive force, compressive extension, compressive strength, deformation energy ranged from 14.18-36.49 N, 1.85-5.20 mm, 0.19 0.76 N mm-2, 26.23-189.75 kJ at vertical loading position and 16.47-41.82 N, 1.68-11.08 mm, 0.34- 0.57 N mm-2, 27.67-319.99 kJ at horizontal loading position for Brown colored watermelon seed. The correlation between the mechanical properties and moisture content was statistically significant at (p≤0.05) level. It is also economical to load Black colored in vertical loading position at 27.8% moisture content and Brown colored in vertical loading position at 27.8% moisture content to reduce energy demand when necessary to crack or compress the seed. This research has generated data that are efficiently enough to design and fabricate processing and storage structures for Black and Brown water melon seeds.

Effects of the Installation Method, Loading Condition, and Failure Mechanism on the Behavior of Suction Piles under Monotonic Horizontal Loading

A suction pile is a promising option when floating offshore structures are deployed at deep and distant locations. A suction pile is typically used for the foundation system of a mooring system subjected to horizontal loading with a load inclination. In this study, the effects of installation method, loading position, and load inclination on the behavior of a suction pile under monotonic horizontal loading were evaluated via large-scale soil chamber testing. A series of horizontal load tests were performed by varying the loading position at pile embedded lengths of 1/4, 1/2, 2/3, and 3/4. A horizontal load test with a load inclination of 20° was conducted and compared with that of a load inclination of 0°. The failure mechanism of the suction piles under monotonic horizontal loading was assessed via particle image velocimetry (PIV) analysis. The movement of the suction pile during monotonic horizontal loading was elucidated in terms of the horizontal displacement, vertical displacement, and rotation angle. The results of this study show apparent differences between jacking and suction-installed piles and piles under different loading conditions. The PIV analysis shows that the rotational behavior under monotonic horizontal loading can be a critical point to affect the horizontal resistance of the suction pile.

Multifunctional cargo and freight lines: prerequisites, history, perspectives and technological highlights of new concepts

The task of inclusion of internal water transport into multimodal transport schemas of freight and passenger transportation now becomes a special actuality, what dictate the need for the search of adequate transport and technological solutions. The article deals with the main challenges und trends in connection with the results of the international and domestic shipping in 2020. With reference to the analysis of domestic and foreign experiences the article deals with the advantages of the modern modification of the concept of the “cargo and passenger” ship with horizontal loading that proved itself from the end of the 19th century. In the opinion of the authors the introduction of multifunctional ferry und transport logistical systems will promote the gradual integration of the river into the delivery process of high tarificatetd freights and return automobile transport in his usual segment of middle distance transportation in the season of peak traffic.

REINFORCEMENT METHOD OF COMPOSITE SEISMIC RESISTANT WALL BY STRUCTURAL PLYWOOD AND STEEL MEMBERS

This is a study of a composite structural wall of wood and steel, in which two steel columns are sandwiched between two plywoods with a thickness of 12 mm. Previous studies have shown that plywood undergoes out-of-plane deformation that interferes with the usability of the building. Therefore, a horizontal loading test was conducted with the position of the bolt that fastens the plywood as a parameter, and out-of-plane deformation and destructive properties were examined. Furthermore, in order to suppress out-of-plane deformation of plywood, we proposed a new reinforcement method using a steel member with a thickness of 3.2 mm. Also, its effect was verified experimentally. As a result of experiments with four types of bolt layouts, the specimen with bolt layout close to center presented small out-of-plane deformation, and each bolt layout effected the mechanical properties each other. The out-of-plane reinforcement was effective for bolt layouts that were long in the horizontal direction.