A Simple Limit Equilibrium Approach for Calculation of Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations on Two-Layered Granular Soils

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations in a non-homogeneous soil profile has been a challenging task in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, a limit equilibrium method is used for calculating bearing capacity factors of shallow foundations constructed on a two-layered granular soil profile. The main objective has been to determine the ultimate bearing capacity computed from equivalent bearing capacity factors N_q and N_γ and comparing that with numerical analysis using finite element methods. It will be shown that the data obtained form the developed method are well comparable with those obtained from FE approach, specially when the difference between shear strength parameters of layers is low which is a practical case for sedimentary soil profiles and also for artificially compacted soils. A computer program has been developed to investigate the influence of various parameters on bearing capacity factors.     

Stratigraphic delineation by three-dimensional clustering of piezocone data

Piezocone soundings are a fast and economical approach for geotechnical site characterization, providing three separate and continuous channels of data with depth, including: tip resistance q _T, porewater pressure u ₂ and sleeve friction f _s. Literally hundreds to thousands of data points are collected by a single sounding. Since these readings are functions of both soil type and soil behaviour, they can be used for the delineation of soil stratigraphy.

One way to process large amounts of data involves clustering. Cluster analysis is an efficient statistical way to analyse the stratigraphic vertical profiling of geomaterials and means to detect the inherent similarity between data sets and group them together. Clustering in previous geotechnical research was based on only two channels of piezocone data (q _T and u₂). The method works well for soils that are under the groundwater table and was applied to soundings in clay deposits.

In the present paper, a new cluster analysis approach is developed based on all three channels of data, thus extending the method to soils above the water table and applicable to sands, silts, and clays. Example soil profiles derived by three-channel cluster analysis are presented herein and compared with conventional soil boring and sampling data.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in urban soils representing different land use categories in Shanghai

An extensive soil survey was carried out in Shanghai to investigate the spatial distribution and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils. Soil samples were collected from highways, iron-smelting plants, steel-smelting plants, shipbuilding yards, coking plants, power plants, chemical plants, urban parks, university campuses and residential areas and were analyzed for 16 PAHs by gas chromatography with mass detection. High PAH concentrations were found in all locations investigated, with mean values of soil total PAH concentrations in the range 3,279–38,868 μg/kg DM, and the PAH concentrations were significantly influenced by soil organic matter content. Soil PAH profiles in all districts were dominated by PAHs with 4–6 rings. Principal components analysis and diagnostic ratios of PAHs indicate that they were mainly derived from coal combustion and petroleum but in soils from highways the PAHs were derived largely from vehicle exhaust emissions. The high concentrations of PAHs found indicate that many urban soils in Shanghai represent a potential hazard to public health.     

The effects of soil sand contents on characteristics of humic acids along soil profiles

It is generally accepted that the compositions and properties of soil organic matter (SOM) are influenced by many factors. In order to reveal the effects of soil texture on characteristics and dynamics of SOM and its sub-fraction, humic acid (HA), along two soil profiles, a yellow soil profile and a purplish soil profile, under the same climate and vegetation conditions were determined. Results indicate that the decomposition and humification degrees of SOM and HA of the purplish soils are higher than those of the corresponding yellow soils indicated by A/O–A ratios of HAs, TOCs and HA yields of bulk soil samples, nevertheless, the development degree of the purplish soil is lower than that of the yellow soil. The variations of E₄/E₆ ratios of HAs along the soil profiles indicate the overall molecular sizes of HAs decreased downward along the soil profiles. A/O–A ratios of HAs decreased downward along both the soil profiles indicate that humification processes decrease downward along both the soil profiles. Leaching of SOM shows significant effects on the distribution and characteristics of HAs in the yellow soil profile but the purplish soil profile, which is consistent with the higher hydrophobicity of HAs in purplish soils, shows that the distribution characteristics of SOM along the soil profiles are a complex result of the combination of soil texture and characteristics of SOM itself. The remarkably different sand contents are concluded tentatively as one of reasons to the different distributions and dynamics of HAs along the soil profiles, however, to profoundly understand the evolution and transport of SOM along soil profiles needs more researches.     

Application of structural equation modeling for assessing relationships between organic carbon and soil properties in semiarid Mediterranean region

Restoration of atmospheric carbon in soils has principal many good effects. Arid lands cover more than 40 % of the global earth area, but only stock 16 % from the global carbon stock. It seems to be a suitable solution for this environmental issue, but still all variables controlling organic carbon in such kinds of soil, was ignored. This study aims to develop two models of organic carbon under clayey and sandy soils in semi-arid Mediterranean zones basing on physical and chemical soil properties. For establishing both models, structural equation modeling was used. For modeling organic carbon, two Tunisian soil databases composed from clayey and sandy soils made respectively, of 450 and 602 soil horizons were used. Using the two databases for all properties, the principal component analysis shows two components for clayey soil; (i) chemical properties and bulk density and (ii) physical properties. For the sandy soil it reveals two components; (i) chemical properties and (ii) physical properties. According to the derived components for each soil category, two models have been built. Structural equation modeling results show that clayey model has proved that organic carbon was controlled by chemical properties and bulk density more than physical properties and sandy model has proved that organic carbon was controlled by chemical properties more than physical properties. The root mean square errors of approximation were 0.079 and 0.050 for the clayey and sandy models, respectively. Then these two models were validated with two other databases from Tunisian dryland soils.     

Heavy metals deposited from the atmosphere on upland Scottish soils: Chemical and lead isotope studies of the association of metals with soil components

Three soil profiles taken from the Hartwood Research Station in Central Scotland have been analyzed using chemical digestion and extraction techniques to investigate the chemical association of heavy metals deposited from the atmosphere. Total digestion, EDTA extraction and the BCR (Bureau Communitaire de Reference) sequential extraction procedure were used. In addition, lead isotope ratios in the whole soils and in the fractions from the sequential extraction procedure were measured using thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. All the digestion and extraction procedures gave clear indication of enhanced concentrations of heavy metals in surface soils, in particular for lead and zinc. Whereas total digestion gave a good indication of the heavy metal status of the soils, the extraction procedures were necessary to provide information on chemical association of the metals with soil components, information needed to understand the soil processes involved in mobilization of metals. Lead isotope analysis of the whole soils revealed a consistent picture of lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios in surface soils (1.140-1.147) than in soils at 20-30 cm depth (1.182-1.190). The steady progression from the lower to higher ratios down the profile was clear indication that anthropogenic lead had penetrated to some degree into the deeper soils. The combination of sequential extraction and lead isotope analysis proved to be a powerful approach to studying this effect in more detail and showed that the fractions extractable from 20 to 30 cm soils contained lead with much lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios (1.174-1.178) than the residual fraction (1.196-1.200). As the extractable fractions contained ≥85% of the lead in the soil, a substantial portion of lead at 20-30 cm depth was of anthropogenic origin. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of 1.174-1.178 found in the extractable fractions suggested that the mobile component of the anthropogenic lead was that deposited before the introduction of leaded petrol.     

不同植物凋落物对土壤有机碳淋失的影响及岩溶效应

以低含量有机碳的岩溶土壤（ＳＯＣ, ０．８９％）为媒介,每１５０ｇ上添加松针、梧桐叶粉各 ７．５ｇ,１５ｇ,４个试验土柱号分别为ＳＣＣ３,ＳＣＣ５;ＳＢＣ３,ＳＢＣ５,接种岩溶土壤微生物群落后,于 恒温室内进行培养淋溶实验。结果表明,土壤淋溶液的电导值受土壤有机质含量多少及性质 的影响。土壤水溶性有机碳（ＤＯＣ）淋失总量ＳＣＣ３为５４０．７ｍｇ,ＳＣＣ５为１５２２．９ｍｇ;ＳＢＣ３为 ３８３．２ｍｇ,ＳＢＣ５为５６３．５ｍｇ。同时,土壤环境中Ｃａ^２＋的释放总量ＳＣＣ３为１４５．７ｍｇ,ＳＣＣ５为 ２８８．７ｍｇ; ＳＢＣ３为１７０．０ｍｇ,ＳＢＣ５为１６７．９ｍｇ。两者呈正相关,相关系数ｒ^２＝０．８５。下伏碳酸 盐岩的溶蚀量排序为ＳＣＣ５＞ＳＢＣ３＞ＳＣＣ３＞ＳＢＣ５,表明两种不同植物凋落物经微生物分 解,产生不同质和量的ＤＯＣ,并导致土壤环境中 Ｃａ^２＋释放的差异和不同的岩溶效应。从而初步揭示不同有机碳分解导致ＤＯＣ淋失的差异性,以及ＤＯＣ对岩溶动力系统的驱动。这与Ａ．Ｈｅｙｅｓ和Ｔ．Ｒ．Ｍｏｏｒｅ的研究结果一致。     

土体内在结构对热导率计算模型的影响研究

为得到适用于土体的热导率模型,利用软件将土样扫描电镜图片（反映土体的真实结构）二值化,采用瞬态传热分析方法对土体进行二维传热分析,通过ANSYS模拟土体并分析得出土体热导率。并且将数值分析结果与实测结果进行对比,发现两者间误差较小,说明该方法能较精确地得到土体热导率,为土体热导率理论模型的建立提供了一种新方法。在此基础上,对粉砂、粉土及粉质粘土的热导率进行研究,发现土体热导率随孔隙率的增大而减小,粉砂热导率的减小速率最大,其次为粉土,最小为粉质粘土。     

Stable carbon isotopic composition of soil organic matter in the karst areas of Southwest China

This study dealt with the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon （SOC） and the variation of stable carbon isotopic composition （δ^13C values） with depth in six soil profiles, including two soil types and three vegetation forms in the karst areas of Southwest China. The δ^13C values of plant-dominant species, leaf litter and soils were measured using the sealed-tube high-temperature combustion method. Soil organic carbon contents of the limestone soil profiles are all above 11.4 g/kg, with the highest value of 71.1 g/kg in the surface soil. However, the contents vary between 2.9 g/kg and 46.0 g/kg in three yellow soil profiles. The difference between the maximum and minimum δ^13C values of soil organic matter （SOM） changes from 2.2‰ to 2.9‰ for the three yellow soil profiles. But it changes from 0.8‰ to 1.6‰ for the limestone soil profiles. The contrast research indicated that there existed significant difference in vertical pattems of organic carbon and δ^13C values of SOM between yellow soil and limestone soil. This difference may reflect site-specific factors, such as soil type, vegetation form, soil pH value, and clay content, etc., which control the contents of different organic components comprising SOM and soil carbon turnover rates in the profiles. The vertical variation patterns of stable carbon isotope in SOM have a distinct regional character in the karst areas.     

Statistical analysis of friction sleeve length effects on soil classification

The cone penetration test (CPT) provides profiles of the tip resistance, sleeve friction, and pore water pressure encountered while penetrating the subsurface. These parameters are used either directly or indirectly to classify the soil types present and to obtain geotechnical design parameters. However, fundamental discrepancies exist in the manner by which these parameters are measured. This paper describes the results of a study that shows the sleeve friction measurement introduces unnecessary redundancy due to the length of the standard friction sleeve compared to the measurement increment. Further, the high sleeve length to measurement increment ratio results in filtering and smoothing of the friction data, thereby causing the variability of the friction between the soil and the cone sleeve to be underestimated. The importance of understanding the role of the sleeve length on measurements is demonstrated using synthetically generated friction profiles and estimating the profiles that would be measured using sleeves of different lengths. Differences in how the soils are classified as a function of the sleeve length used to obtain each profile are illustrated. Solutions are presented to validate the synthetic sleeve friction profiles, to demonstrate the filtering and smoothing effects of the friction sleeve on the data, and to explain the implications of the sleeve length on soil classification. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sources of very high heavy metal content in soils of volcanic island (La Réunion)

The objective of this study was to conduct an inventory of heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the soils of La Réunion. 39 sampling sites were selected to cover the distribution of soils of the island. The results show that soils of La Réunion are rich in heavy metals: most of them exceed the French standard values beyond which sewage sludge spreading is not authorized. To identify the sources of heavy metals, we used: (i) the relationship between the heavy metal content in soils and the origin of the volcanic parent material; (ii) the comparison of heavy metal content between cultivated and uncultivated soils; and (iii) the heavy metal distribution in soil profiles. Cd and Pb evolution in soil profiles indicate an impact of human activities. High Hg concentrations in soils can be explained by the volcanic activity of the island. For Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn, we demonstrate that high concentrations in soils are mainly determined by the natural pedo-geochemical background.     

Discrete element simulation of geogrid-stabilised soil

A particle-based numerical simulation procedure is presented for the generation and calibration of geogrid-stabilised soil on the basis of experimental data. The paper describes how to simulate a biaxial geogrid depending on a specific particle and parallel bond model. Numerical and experimental pull-out tests have been performed to reproduce the pull-out force–strain behaviour of a biaxial geogrid specimen embedded in granular material under special consideration of the grain-size distribution, initial relative density, normal stress state as well as sample installation. Model analysis of soil mobilisation and geogrid deformation is presented to understand the significance of the interlocking effect as key mechanism for soil stabilisation. The procedure can be used for further investigations of the influence and effects of soil stabilisation depending on the significant properties of the interacting components (soils and geogrids).     

Beryllium geochemistry in soils: evaluation of Be/Be ratios in authigenic minerals as a basis for age models

Soils contain a diverse and complex set of chemicals and minerals. Being an ‘open system’, both in the chemical and nuclear sense, soils have defied quantitative nuclear dating. However, based on the published studies of the cosmogenic atmospheric ¹⁰Be in soils, its relatively long half-life (1.5 Ma), and the fact that ¹⁰Be gets quickly incorporated in most soil minerals, this radionuclide appears to be potentially the most useful for soil dating. We therefore studied the natural variations in the specific activities of ¹⁰Be with respect to the isotope ⁹Be in mineral phases in eight profiles of diverse soils from temperate to tropical climatic regimes and evaluated the implications of the data for determining the time of formation of soil minerals, following an earlier suggestion [Lal et al., 1991. Development of cosmogenic nuclear methods for the study of soil erosion and formation rates. Current Sci. 61, 636–639.]. We find that the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in both bulk soils and in the authigenic mineral phases are confined within a narrower range than in ¹⁰Be concentrations. Also, the highest ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in authigenic minerals are observed at the soil-rock interface as predicted by the model. We present model ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ages of the B-horizon and the corresponding soil formation rates for several soil profiles. The present study demonstrates that the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in the authigenic phases, e.g. clay and Fe-hydroxides, can indeed be used for obtaining useful model ages for soils younger than 10–15 Ma. However, the present work has to be pushed considerably further, to take into account more realistic age models in which, for instance, downward transport ¹⁰Be and clays, and in-situ dissolution of clay minerals at depths, altering the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios of the acidic solutions, are included. We show that in the case of younger soils (< 1 Ma) studied here, their ¹⁰Be inventories and ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios have been significantly disturbed possibly by mixing with transported soils.     

A laboratory batch study on arsenic sorption and desorption on guava orchard soils of Baruipur,West Bengal,India

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic (As), when extensively used for irrigation, causes potentially long term detrimental effects to surface soils. Such contamination can also directly affect human health when irrigated crops, such as rice, vegetable and fruits, are used for human consumption. Therefore, an understanding of the sorption and desorption behavior of As in surface soils is of high importance, because these processes regulate the bioavailability of As in the soil environment. In this study, we have collected soils from guava orchards of Baruipur, West Bengal, and characterized soil chemistry and batch sorption and desorption behavior in the laboratory. The sorption and desorption behavior of As in the soils were examined using the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption equation. Regression analysis of the soil chemical characteristics and sorption equation parameters were also performed. The results suggest that the sorption behavior of arsenate is highly dependent on soil characteristics, specifically organic carbon, clay and Al₂O₃ content of the soils. Whereas desorption behavior is critically influenced by the presence of high concentrations of amorphous and/or crystalline Fe₂O₃ in the soils. Retention of the significant portion of As in the soils (~ 84% of the total) suggests that As in the orchard soils may not be highly bioavailable to plants for uptake. However, more detailed studies will be required to ascertain the role of individual soil components on the As sorption and desorption processes.     

Identification of paleosol types and their applicability for paleoclimatic reconstructions

Genetic diagnostics of paleosols are based on the morphology of soil profiles, on the combination of the stable properties of microstructure and on the mineral composition of soils (taking into account diagenetic transformations). As a result of spatial paleopedological reconstructions performed both at a level of the structure of soil cover (study of paleosols in the catena) and at the zonal-provincial level allowed to compile soil maps of Eastern Europe for the Mikulino Interglacial (125 ka BP), the Bryansk Interstadial (32 to 24 ka) and the Holocene climatic optimum (5.5 ka). These data can be used for paleoclimatic reconstructions.     

应用连续混合器模型模拟非饱和土壤盐分淋洗过程

尽管连续混合器模型已经广泛应用于土壤中溶质迁移转化规律计算,但却仅限于饱和土壤条件。通过采用Kostiakov公式描述非稳定入渗过程,并结合活塞假设计算入渗过程中土壤水分的运动和分布规律,将连续混合器模型扩展应用于非饱和土壤的盐分淋洗过程计算,并求出了模型的解析解。分析发现,在一定的土壤质地、初始含水率剖面和初始含盐量剖面下,模型的计算结果会受到土层划分厚度的影响,而合理的土层厚度又与饱和导水率和溶质弥散系数之间存在量纲一的函数关系。当土层厚度选取合理时,连续混合器模型与HYDRUS-1D的计算结果十分接近,采用该模型模拟试验土壤盐分淋洗过程,显示了较好的计算精度。     

Sorption behaviour of pentachlorophenol in sub-Saharan tropical soils: soil types sorption dynamics

In order to predict exposure risks as well as appropriate remediation strategies for pesticides in soils, knowledge of pesticides sorption processes onto various representative soils is vital. Hence, laboratory batch experiments were carried out to study sorption of a pesticide, pentachlorophenol (PCP), on five soils obtained from different sub-Saharan agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in order to understand sorption equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Experimental data showed that sorption equilibrium was attained within 24 h. The fitting of kinetic results and equilibrium data to different models suggested partly surface adsorption and partly partitioning of PCP within voids of the various soil components. Sorption was mainly attributed to sharing or exchange of valence electrons between negatively charged PCP molecules and positively charged soil sorption sites. The sorption process was spontaneous and accompanied by decreased entropy, but was pH and temperature dependent, reducing with increase in pH and temperature. The various soils’ PCP sorption capacities were directly proportional to their cation exchange capacities. The low PCP sorption observed in these soils suggested high risk of PCP being present in soil water solution, especially at higher temperatures, which can lead to contamination of the aquifer. This risk may be higher for soils obtained from AEZs with warmer natural temperatures.     

深基坑复合喷锚支护技术探讨

工程实践表明,复合喷锚支护是一种有效的深基坑支护型式,它可用于土层条件差、安全性要求高、变形控制严格的基坑工程中。复合支护中锚杆为主要受力构件,竖向花管为辅助受力构件,可起到限制、减小土体变形的作用。由于竖向注浆花管的加入,花管及注浆体抗剪作用加强,使基坑的整体稳定性得以大幅度提高。探讨了复合喷锚支护整体稳定性分析方法,建议将滑动区域分为加固土和原土两部分,将锚管注浆形成的注浆体等效为一层加固土,按喷锚支护模型计算复合喷锚支护整体稳定性。     

Ecotoxicological assessment of heavy metals in sewage sludge amended soils

Contamination of soils by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (e.g. Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) from amendments of sewage sludge is subject to strict controls within the European Community in relation to total permissible metal concentrations, soil properties and intended use. This paper highlights the need for ecotoxicological data for the assessment of PTE impacts in addition to geochemical data alone. The soil microflora plays an essential role in determining levels of soil fertility, being intimately associated with the biogeochemical cycling of essential plant nutrients and the turnover of organic carbon. The measurement of soil microbiological parameters can provide insight into the impact of PTEs upon soil fertility, where geochemical analysis alone can often be inadequate to assess contaminant effects on essential components of the soil ecosystem. Microbial investigations were conducted on soils sampled from a well-controlled field experiment previously amended with specific types and rates of sewage sludge. Key microbiological parameters measured included the activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme and the presence and number of effective nitrogen fixing cells of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii capable of nodulating the host plant, white clover (Trifolium repens). Results were evaluated with respect to maximum permissible concentrations of PTEs in sludge amended soils, as stipulated under UK limit values and the European Directive 86/278/EEC. Important effects on the size of the Rhizobium population and dehydrogenase activity were apparent in soils samples in relation to the soil pH, sludge type, addition rates and the concentrations of PTE present.     

河套地区土壤基准值及背景值特征

通过对河套地区土壤背景值与基准值的确定与研究发现，河套地区主要是以富CaO、MgO及As、F等为主的地区，其他绝大多数元素的含量要低于全国以及世界水平。河套地区表层和深层土壤中样品含量也有一定的差别。此外长期的人类活动也对土壤中元素的含量变化产生比较明显的影响。通过对土壤基准值与土壤背景值的研究分析，为该地区农业、环境及地方病等方面的研究提供基础、全面的资料。