Conformal analysis of seepage below a hydraulic structure with an inclined cutoff

Conformal mapping techniques are used to obtain an exact solution for seepage flow below a hydraulic structure founded on permeable soil of infinite depth for a flat floor with an inclined cut-off at the downstream end. Results are presented for different values of b/s and θ. The exit gradient decreases considerably along a distance beyond the floor end with an increase in cut-off inclination. The maximum exit gradient decreases for θ = 10, 20 and 30° and starts increasing for θ = 45°. The uplift pressure decreases as θ increases. It is concluded that using an inclined cut-off increases the factor of safety in design against uplift and piping.     

Extending a BIM-based data model to support 3D digital management of complex ownership spaces

Currently, 2D-based analogue building subdivision plans are used to represent the spatial extent of private, public and communal property ownership rights. These plans are recognized as posing a range of challenges in terms of communicating the spatial complexity of ownership spaces within multi-storey buildings. In response to these challenges, three-dimensional (3D) digital data environments are being investigated as a potential approach for managing complex, vertically stratified ownership arrangements. The argument presented in this article is that Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be adopted for 3D digital management of data related to complex ownership spaces. BIM provides a common and 3D digital data sharing space, underpinning a reliable basis for facilitating collaboration and decision-making over the lifecycle of buildings. However, ownership attributes and the spatial structure of ownership arrangements inside buildings are yet to be accommodated within the BIM data environment. In this article, we present a range of required data elements for managing complex ownership spaces, which have been elicited by investigating current practices pertaining to subdivision of ownership spaces within multi-storey buildings in Melbourne, Australia. An open data model in the BIM domain is extended with these data elements and a prototype model for a real multi-storey building is implemented to demonstrate the viability of the extended data model for 3D digital management and visualization of data related to complex ownership arrangements.     

Assessment of Sulfate Concentrations in Water Used During Chemical Stabilization and Its Potential Impact on Sulfate Induced Heave

The occurrence of sulfate-induced heave of roadways that were chemically stabilized with either lime or cement can require expensive road repairs. Previous research attributed the heave to the formation of an expansive mineral named ettringite. However, not all chemically stabilized soils will exhibit heave. The overall goal of this research was to determine if the sulfate concentration in water can contribute to, or even cause, sulfate induced heave. Two soils, one with a soluble sulfate level below 3000 mg/kg and one with >8000 mg/kg sulfate, were stabilized with either lime or cement and subjected to a capillary soak with distilled water or saturated sulfate water. The low sulfate soils did not swell above the accepted limit of 1.5 %. The high sulfate soils swelled significantly (p < 0.05) above accepted level regardless of the stabilizer used. Overall, stabilized soils subjected to a capillary soak with saturated sulfate water swelled more than soils soaked with distilled water. The results found in this study demonstrated that cement will increase the axial load capacity of the soil, but the soil will still have the potential to heave excessively if sulfate and aluminum are present above the stoichiometric requirements to from ettringite.     

Origin and Formation of Sulfate in Soils from Three Ohio Counties

Sulfate induced heave has been attributed to ettringite, which can form when there is an elevated pH as well as sufficient amounts of aluminum, sulfate, calcium and water present. The primary objective of this project was to study the origin and formation of sulfate in Ohio soils in order to assist with selecting appropriate soil stabilization strategies for future roadway construction. Three roadway construction project areas were evaluated: State Route 2 in Lake (LAK) County, US Highway 24 in Paulding and Defiance Counties and Interstate-71 in Morrow (MRW) County. Defiance County had the most soil samples with sulfate concentrations above acceptable risk level (3000 mg/kg SO₄). Morrow County had the next highest number of unacceptable sulfate levels. Of the 42 Lake County soils analyzed, 11 contained sulfate above acceptable risk level. The soils surrounding the road construction activities along State Route 2 and US-24 had similar geological characteristics. A potential source of sulfate in Paulding and Defiance Counties was attributed to the direct deposition of gypsum as a soil amendment for farmlands. The most likely sources of soil sulfate in Morrow County were deposition of gypsum for farmland activities and the oxidative weathering of pyrite.     

Distribution of fluoride in groundwater of Maku area, northwest of Iran

High fluoride groundwater occurs in Maku area, in the north of West Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the area residents. Groundwater samples were collected from 72 selected points including 40 basaltic and 32 nonbasaltic springs and wells, in two stages, during June and August 2006. The areas with high fluoride concentrations have been identified, and the possible causes for its variation have been investigated. Regional hydrogeochemical investigation indicates that water-rock interaction is probably the main reason for the high concentration of ions in groundwater. The concentration of F⁻ in groundwater is positively correlated with that of HCO₃ ⁻ and Na⁺, indicating that groundwater with high HCO₃ ⁻ and Na⁺ concentrations help to dissolve some fluoride-rich minerals. All of the water samples, collected from the basaltic areas do not meet the water quality standards for fluoride concentration and some other parameters. Hence, it is not suitable for consumption without any prior treatment. Inhabitants of the area that obtain their drinking water supplies from basaltic springs and wells are suffering from dental fluorosis. The population of the study area is at a high risk due to excessive fluoride intake especially when they are unaware of the amount of fluoride being ingested due to lack of awareness.     

An investigation of the effects of important grouting and rock parameters on the grouting process

Today, grouting is used as an aid in ground improvement in most civil and mining engineering projects. Groutability and grout penetration depth are among the most important issues that are considered in grouting operation. Various parameters such as in-situ stress, pore water pressure, joint geometric and geomechanical characteristics, grout properties (viscosity and yield stress) and technical factors such as grouting pressure and flow rate affect the groutability and grout penetration depth in a jointed rock mass. Knowledge of the effect of these parameters has advantages in the prediction of grouting results. Typically, cement-based grout is used in jointed rock masses. Unlike water, stable cement-based grout usually acts as a Bingham fluid. In this study the effect of important parameters on grouting process in a jointed rock mass was investigated numerically using the DEM method. In the conducted study, the problem geometry represents a horizontal section in a regularly jointed rock mass with two joint sets. The analyses results show that the grout penetration depth and intake increase as joint aperture, normal stiffness and grouting pressure increase and in-situ stress and pore water pressure decrease. Increase in joint spacing does not have any effect on the grout penetration depth but decreases the grout intake. The effect of joint orientation on grouting process is strongly dependent on in-situ stress state. On the other hand, increase in grout yield stress decreases the grout penetration depth and intake, while grout viscosity does not have any effect on maximum grout penetration depth and intake. To further investigate the above mechanisms, the grouting process conducted in Gotvand dam-Iran was simulated numerically.     

Integrated magnetic and gravity surveys for geothermal exploration in Central Iran

The Delijan region of Central Iran is a popular tourist spot due to the occurrence of hot springs and having the greatest geothermal fields in Iran. In the years 2011 and 2012, an integrated geophysical investigation, using magnetic and gravity methods, was conducted over the hot springs in order to characterize geophysical anomaly sources corresponding to the geothermal resources. The results of the geophysical investigations revealed the heat source and the reservoir of the Delijan geothermal system (DGS). Based on results of Euler depth estimation and 3D inversion of magnetic and gravity data, the depths and extension of the discovered structures were determined with a good correlation with the geological information. The results of magnetic interpretation show that the main source (heat source) of the geothermal system is located NE of the Delijan-Abgarm fault (DAf) zone at depths of 2500 to 5000 m, and the results of gravity interpretation show that the reservoir of the geothermal system is located along the DAf zone at depths of 1000 to 4000 m. Also, the horizontal gradients of gravity data reveal complex fault systems which are acting as the preferential paths to circulate the hydrothermal fluids.     

Permian Calcareous algae from the Khachik Formation at the Ali Bashi Mountains,NW of Iran

Micropaleontological investigations on Permian successions in the NW of Iran based on algae led to the determination of taxa belonging to some families such as Ungdarellaceae (Ungdarella uralica), Gymnocodiaceae (Gymnocodium bellerophontis and Permocalculus sp.), Dasycladales (Mizzia cf. M. yabei), and some microproblematics (Vermiporella nipponica and Pseudovermiporella sodalica). These investigations are mainly focused on the Khachik Formation at the Ali Bashi Mountains. According to the algal community, a lagoon environment is offered for the studied successions.