Skin friction behavior of pile fully embedded in limestone

Pile foundation system in limestone rock layers is commonly used in Riyadh area, Saudi Arabia, for high-rise building, bridges, and other structures. Especially in Riyadh region, bored piles are used for bridges and underpasses not only because of bearing capacity but mainly because of limited spaces for using shallow foundations. In addition, piles are used for bridges over wadis to avoid scouring effects. The loads are transferred by the pile from a superstructure to the rock strata through side friction and end-bearing resistance. However, there are no studies conducted in Riyadh area to quantify the skin friction capacity of pile embedded in limestone rock. Accordingly, this experimental study describes in details the behavior of load transfer mechanism through side friction only on a reinforced concrete pile (75 mm diameter and 150 mm long) constructed on hard limestone rock sample. Soft material (Styrofoam) was placed at the bottom of the pile to eliminate the effect of end-bearing resistance. Unconfined compression test was conducted on intact rock sample to find out the properties of the rock used. The result of the ultimate side friction obtained from the test was compared with values predicted by other researcher methods mentioned in the literature.     

Appraisal of groundwater quality in a crystalline aquifer: a chemometric approach

The purpose of this study is to assess the groundwater quality and identify the processes that control the groundwater chemistry in a crystalline aquifer. A total of 72 groundwater samples were collected during pre- and post-monsoon seasons in the year 2014 in a semi-arid region of Gooty Mandal, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study utilized chemometric analysis like basic statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), principal component analysis (PCA), Gibbs ratio, and index of base exchange to understand the mechanism of controlling the groundwater chemistry in the study area. The results reveal that groundwater in the study area is neutral to slightly alkaline in nature. The order of dominance of cations is Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ while for anions, it is \( {\mathrm{HCO}}_3^{-}>{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-} \)>\( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \)>\( {\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-} \)>\( {\mathrm{CO}}_3^{2-}>{\mathrm{F}}^{-} \) in both seasons. Based on the Piper classification, most of the groundwater samples are identified as of sodium bicarbonate (\( {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}-{\mathrm{HCO}}_3^{-}\Big) \) type. According to the results of the principal component analysis (PCA), three factors and two factors were identified pre and post monsoon, respectively. The present study indicates that the groundwater chemistry is mostly controlled by geogenic processes (weathering, dissolution, and ion exchange) and some extent of anthropogenic activities.     

Petrology of lower-middle Miocene Zoumi Flysch Fm. (Mesorif sub-domain,Rif belt,Morocco): first evidence of mixed mode provenance and geodynamic setting

The Zoumi Basin was generated in a collisional tectonic setting during the Lower-Middle Miocene. The syn-orogenic flysch deposits of the basin have been well investigated by petrographic and geochemical studies to characterize the composition, source to sink routing system, and tectonic setting of the Zoumi flysch. Forty-three sandstone samples and 45 mudstone samples have been gathered from six measured stratigraphic sections. These samples have been analyzed using XRD, XRF, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for mudrocks and petrographic investigation for sandstones. The Lower-Middle Miocene Zoumi flysch is defined as sublitharenites and quartzarenites according to mineralogical content. Detrital grains are commonly subangular to subrounded, poorly sorted, and rich in quartz grains. Point counting modal analysis leads to craton interior and recycled orogen provenance with significant first-cycle sediment supply and low sedimentary recycling. Several chemical ratios (Al₂O₃/TiO₂, La/Th, Cr/Th, Th/Sc, Zr/Sc) as well as chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomaly suggest a dominant felsic rock sources. However, V-Ni-La*4, V-Ni-Th*10, and Th/Sc vs. Cr/Th plots do not exclude a mafic supply source nature which is evidenced by numerous ophiolitic outcrops scattered throughout the Mesorifan Subdomain (Mesorifan Ophiolitic Suture Zone).     

Presence of microporosity in Miocene carbonate platform,Central Luconia,offshore Sarawak,Malaysia

The Luconia Province—offshore Sarawak—is a key hydrocarbon province in Malaysia. However, the gas reservoirs in Central Luconia pose unique problems and challenges as they have partially water-filled microporosity that overprint wireline logs. Microporosity in Central Luconia occurs throughout the Miocene carbonates and is a crucial element that influences fluid flow properties and ultimately the recovery of hydrocarbons. Quantification of macroporosity was achieved using petrographic analysis of thin sections and the FESEM images. The point counting technique was used to estimate the amount of macroporosity from the thin section, which was then subtracted from the total porosity to derive microporosity. The qualitative investigation of the Miocene carbonates indicates the presence of three different types of microporosity namely grain-based microporosity, matrix-based microporosity, and cement-based microporosity. Quantification of microporosity showed that the microporosity varies from sample to sample, ranging from 10 to 60% of the total measured porosity. The depositional texture, mineralogy, and microtexture control this microporosity variation including its abundance and type. The microporosity in Central Luconia is diagenetically controlled based on four major diagenetic mechanisms namely (1) mechanical process/endolithic grains/marine diagenesis; (2) leaching/meteoric diagenesis; (3) cementation/shallow diagenesis; and (4) deeper diagenesis environment.     

A Participatory GIS Approach to Identify Critical Land Degradation Areas and Prioritize Soil Conservation for Mountainous Olive Groves （Case Study）

Climate change scenarios predict an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall events in some areas. This will increase runoff and soil erosion, and reduce agricultural productivity, particularly on vulnerable mountainous agricultural lands that is already exhibiting high rates of soil erosion. Haphazard implementation of soil and water conservation （SWC） interventions on scattered fields is inefficient in reducing soil erosion. The objective of this study was to identify areas at high risk of erosion to aid the design and implementation of sustainable SWC using GIS analysis and farmers＇ participation approach. A 25 m digital elevation model （DEM） was used to derive layers of flow accumulation, slope steepness and land curvature, which were used to derive an erosion-risk （priority） map for the whole watershed. Boundaries of farmers＇ fields were mapped and verified by the community and each field was classified into high, moderate or low erosion risk. Fields with low flow accumulation （top of hill） and/or steep slope and/or convex slope were assigned high erosion risk and therefore high implementation priority. The study showed that more than 54% of the fields were classified into high erosion risk areas. Accordingly, a community-watershed plan was established, revised and approved by the community.Incentive loans to implement SWC measures were distributed to 100 farmers based on the priorities of their fields. Judged by local farmers and using 16 randomly selected fields, 90% of the targeted areas were correctly identified using the erosion risk map. After two years, the conservation measures had led to marked improvement of soil conservation. The approach is simple and easy to comprehend by the community and provides scientific basis to prioritize the implementation of SWC and to target the most degraded areas, which amplify the impact of these in reducing the vulnerability to land degradation.     

Development of storage capacity and morphology of the Aswan High Dam Reservoir

ABSTRACT

A digital elevation model (DEM), as well as satellite images, was used to detect the changes in the morphology and storage capacity of the Aswan High Dam Reservoir (AHDR) over the past five decades. Study findings indicate that the total storage capacity of the AHDR estimated by the DEM decreased by 12%. This decrease is mainly in the live and the dead storage capacities. The morphology of the reservoir changed in the southern part and at the entrance of the lacustrine part. A gradual conversion of the entrance to the riverine part was observed. The surface area of the AHDR decreased at low water levels because of sedimentation. The average reduction of the surface area between water levels of 140 and 168 m a.s.l. is about 15%, which is equivalent to almost 10 km³.     

Societal application of geophysics as an aid to a rescue operation at Jaipur

Geophysical techniques are normally employed to explore the subsurface and determine the anomalies but they are always much larger in dimension. However, a very precise measurement was needed to pin point a misaligned horizontal tunnel made at 47 m depth to intercept an old bore well and rescue a four year child fallen accidently on 9^th November at Jagatpura village in Jaipur, India. Due to the greater depth and presence of iron casing, electric power, etc., no equipment could work to determine the orientation of the tunnel that has lost its direction. The dimension of the site and many other constrains didn’t allow conventional geophysical methods to be used. An innovative method was then designed and successfully applied, which determined 1.92 m deviation of the tunnel end point to the east from the old bore well. The digging was redirected accordingly and the bore well was intercepted. This paper describes the theoretical background, forward simulations and the field experiment of the newly designed geophysical method.     

Assessment of water quality and identification of pollution sources of three lakes in Kashmir, India, using multivariate analysis

Multivariate statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA) were applied to evaluate and interpret the water quality data set for 13 parameters at 10 different sites of the three lakes in Kashmir, India. Physicochemical parameters varied significantly (p?<?0.05) among the sampling sites. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 10 sampling sites into three clusters of less polluted, moderately polluted and highly polluted sites, based on similarity of water quality characteristics. FA/PCA applied to data sets resulted in three principal components accounting for a cumulative variance of 69.84, 65.05 and 71.76% for Anchar Lake, Khushalsar Lake and Dal Lake, respectively. Factor analysis obtained from principal components (PCs) indicated that factors responsible for accelerated eutrophication of the three lakes are domestic waste waters, agricultural runoff and to some extent catchment geology. This study assesses water quality of three lakes through multivariate statistical analysis of data sets for effective management of these lakes.     

Hydrochemistry and thermal activity of damt region,Yemen

The aim of this study was to identify the complex hydrogeological and hydrochemistry conditions of Damt region, through determining hydrochemical properties of groundwater in the study area. According to the results of hydrochemical analyses, sampled waters can be divided into three groups: cold, thermal, and mixed waters. Thermal waters in the area are characterized by Na–HCO₃, while the cold waters by CaHCO₃ facies. HCO₃ indiscriminate cation and/or Na-indiscriminate anion are present in many places in the region and indicate generally mixing water. Only three villages with dental fluorosis observed using water elevated in F⁻ for drinking. Agricultural and liquid waste disposal are the main sources of pollution, leads to increase of Na, Cl, NO₃, Cd, and Iron. The groundwater flow is from north, northwest, and northeast to the south. Within this regional trend, structural controlling groundwater flow along Wadis and it flows from upper reaches of tributaries toward the main channel, then downward to the south of the study area. The similarity of TDS and Cl concentration at Qa’a Al Haql and Al Nadirah between aquifers indicates hydraulic continuity between alluvial and the underlying volcanic, while at Damt no hydraulic continuity found between alluvial, volcanic and Sandstone aquifers. The temporal variation shows slight decrease in the concentration of nitrate and sulfate of thermal water indicating previously high gas content of nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide in the thermal active region. The developed conceptual model of water circulation indicates flood waters infiltrate slowly through the wadi bottoms in the East where Sandstone aquifer outcrops. These waters flow westward, following the westerly dip of the Sandstone through the effects of gravity, gains heat and dissolve materials as it comes in contact with the numerous dykes, which are the feeders to the overlying volcanoes and sputter cones. All thermal water samples from Damt region fall into immature water field in NA–K–Mg diagram. Therefore, the results obtained from the cation geothermometers should be taken into account as doubtful.     

Mesozoic deltaic system along the western margin of the Indian plate: lithofacies and depositional setting of Datta Formation,North Pakistan

Over 1 km thick Mesozoic sedimentary sequence is exposed over a wide area in the Upper Indus basin of north Pakistan along the western margin of the Indian Plate. The Mesozoic sequence is comprised of clastic facies in the lower part, while carbonate facies are dominant in the upper part. About 200 m thick mixed sequence of interbedded sandstone, siltstone, clay, and carbonaceous shale represents the lower Jurassic Datta Formation in the Salt and Trans Indus Ranges in North Pakistan. The Datta Formation constitutes important reservoir horizons in a number of oil fields in the western Himalayan foreland basins where it is encountered at a depth of about 4 km in various wells. The Datta Formation is described from different parts of the range front to understand the internal architecture of various sedimentary facies and their depositional system. The thickness and lithofacies assemblages of the Datta Formation change in different parts of the range front as well as in subsurface of the Upper Indus basin. The Datta Formation represents a coarsening upward deltaic sequence in most parts of the basin. On the basis of lithological variations and sedimentary structures, a number of depositional facies have been recognized which include channel belt facies, floodplain/abandoned channel facies, swamp facies, and lagoonal facies. Further north, in the Kalachitta and Hazara regions, the siliciclastic facies change to more complex assemblages of interbedded bauxite, silcrete, marl, and some limestone. These sediments represent deposition in a delta-plain setting of a fluvial-dominated delta with northwestward flowing channels.