Applying a Python script to predict the geotechnical properties of the Nasiriyah soil

Soil is a natural material that suffers from intrinsic spatial variability resulting from natural factors and their influence on the soil. It became controversial and debated how to estimate the characteristic value of soils to obtain a reliable geotechnical design with low cost and less effort. Usually, foundations are not built on the same site as the screening; investigations are carried out to excavate a little at essential sites. In this paper (423), test wells were collected in the study area to be obtained and tabulated in Excel. The kriging statistics is applied using a python script to predict the values of geotechnical site properties and reliability of the method in estimating spatially varying soil properties values based on measurement data and prior knowledge. The program implements probabilistic kriging statistics and predicts the desired value by entering the coordinates of the locations whose properties you want to know and based on the previously prepared Excel file of known points, coordinates, and property values. The program will be used in two soil sites in the city of Nasiriyah to predict its properties. These points were selected from the examination of soil investigation reports to determine the reliability and accuracy of the program in predicting values. To get more reliable probability values using the kriging method and python scripts. A huge database of prepared and analyzed engineering soil properties has been created based on field investigation reports for projects in Nasiriyah.

Preparation of Sintered Brick with Aluminum Dross and Optimization of Process Parameters

Aluminum dross is produced in the process of industrial production and regeneration of aluminum. Currently, the main way to deal with aluminum dross is stacking and landfilling, which aggravates environmental pollution and resource waste. In order to find a green and environmental protection method for the comprehensive utilization, the aluminum dross was used as raw materials to prepare sintered brick. Firstly, the raw material ratio, molding pressure and sintering process were determined by single factor test and orthogonal test, and the mechanism of obvious change of mechanical strength of sintered brick was studied by XRD and SEM. The experimental results show that, the optimal formula of sintered brick is 50% aluminum dross, 37.50% engineering soil and 12.50% coal gangue. The optimum process parameters are molding pressure 10 MPa, heating rate 8 °C/ min, sintering temperature 800 °C, holding time 60 min. The samples prepared under the above formula and process parameters present outstanding performance, and the compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption rate are 16.21 MPa, 3.42 MPa and 17.12% respectively.

Mineralogical and Geotechnical Properties of Clay Minerals in Northern Borno, Nigeria

Clay generally refers to either fine grained earth material with particle size of less than two micron (< 2 m) or group of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals that are characterized by sheet silicate structure of composite layers stacked along the C-axis. They are common deposits found in most geological setting like in fine grained sedimentary rocks such as shale, mudstone, and siltstone, in fine grained metamorphic slate and phyllite. The interest in clay deposits arises from its numerous uses of the mineral group and the behaviour of soils constituents when used as engineering soil and its resultant effects on engineering structures like roads, dams, bridges and houses. Evaluation of the soil properties of the Chad Formation indicated that the plasticity characteristics of the samples are of low to medium plasticity as indicated by matching the result with the DIN. chart. The results of free swell showed that the samples are susceptible to swelling when they absorbed water. The particle size distribution tests indicate that the percentage of fine (i.e. samples passing the 75µm sieve) is about 1.7 % implying that the grain sizes are within the texture of medium grain fraction

Using some of Microsoft Office Excel Functions to Compute Soil Engineering Parameters Based on Raw Results of Laboratory Tests

The main aim of this research can be represented as a trail to computerize the most soil engineering properties to compute them automatically using many simple Microsoft Excel functions based on raw soil test experimental data. This work will be shortening the time and effort of the geotechnical engineers calculating different soil parameters with acceptable accurate values. Nine different Microsoft Excel formulas, some of the techniques by certain Excel expressions and normal designed algebraic equations were used to present the final spreadsheet. The main computed soil parameters were (ω, LL, PL, PI, ρd,max, ωopt, k) soil classification AASHTO, (qu and cu) for unconfined compression test, (ø and c') for the direct shear test finally (Cc and Cs) for consolidation tests. To get a better understanding on how most of the programmed tools and to Microsoft Excel sheets work, the user should have knowledge about basic concepts of the certain soil parameter test and experimental steps and also the guidelines of the theory that depends to compute the parameter. Also, the user should have enough background about engineering soil properties laboratory experiments computation.

A Practical Geotechnical Analysis of in situ Stress Variations and Hydraulic Stability of Small Weirs Using SEEP/W and SIGMA/W Simulation

Geotechnical soil problems underneath foundation of hydraulic structures occurs due to engineering soil properties, geological setting and hydraulic properties of the projects. Two finite element programs of Geoslope 2012 software, SIGMA/W and SEEP/W, were used for analysis of in situ stresses, load deformation behavior, seepage quantity and vertical gradient below Teeb weir foundation, to compute factors of safety against seepage uplift. The site soil is a granular (gravel, sand and silt), weakly cemented soil cohered by gypsum and clay materials. The area has low lying topography, with slightly tectonic activities. The model results show that the upstream side stresses are reduced while the pore pressure are increased, indicating decreased stability. Soil displacement and settlement were measured and the effects of these displacements on the low cemented soil particles were discussed. The pressure distribution and vertical hydraulic gradient measured and used for analyze the weir stability. Finally, the soil potential failure zones were drawn to fix the main risks in each sides of the weir.

TERMINOLOGICAL DICTIONARY ON FOUNDATION ENGINEERING, SOIL MECHANICS AND SOIL SCIENCE

Terminological dictionary on foundation engineering, soil mechanics and soil science.