Machine learning techniques applied to prediction of residual strength of clay

Stability with first time or reactivated landslides depends upon the residual shear strength of soil. This paper describes prediction of the residual strength of soil based on index properties using two machine learning techniques. Different Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models and Support Vector Machine (SVM) techniques have been used. SVM aims at minimizing a bound on the generalization error of a model rather than at minimizing the error on the training data only. The ANN models along with their generalizations capabilities are presented here for comparisons. This study also highlights the capability of SVM model over ANN models for the prediction of the residual strength of soil. Based on different statistical parameters, the SVM model is found to be better than the developed ANN models. A model equation has been developed for prediction of the residual strength based on the SVM for practicing geotechnical engineers. Sensitivity analyses have been also performed to investigate the effects of different index properties on the residual strength of soil.     

Photodegradation of amaranth in aqueous solution catalyzed by immobilized nanoparticles of titanium dioxide

The use of suspensions of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide in photocatalytic degradation of dye solution has disadvantages of inconvenient separation of fine particles for reuse and limited penetration of light for effective degradation. These problems can be minimized by supporting titanium dioxide on various inert supports. The present study involves the preparation of immobilized titanium dioxide films by three different techniques and characterization of the prepared films. The immobilized films of nanocrystals of titanium dioxide were prepared using sol?Cgel technique, polyvinyl alcohol?Cformaldehyde binder and acrylic emulsion. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared films for degradation of amaranth dye has also been evaluated and compared. Combination of photodegradation and adsorption processes induces strong beneficial effects on removal of dyes. Addition of high adsorption capacity activated carbon to photoactive titanium dioxide in photodegradation of dyes improves the efficiency of dye mineralization. The activated carbon has also been immobilized along with titanium dioxide in the present work to examine the dual effect of photodegradation and adsorption in the removal of amaranth. The films formed with the help of polyvinyl alcohol?Cformaldehyde binder showed better dye degradation capabilities.     

Geochemical characterization and heavy metal contamination of groundwater in Satluj River Basin

Groundwater, a renewable and finite natural resource, vital for man’s life, social and economic development and a valuable component of the ecosystem, is vulnerable to natural and human impacts. The aim of present study is to evaluate hydrogeochemical parameters and heavy metals in groundwater and to study their spatial distribution in the Rupnagar District of Punjab. The spatial distribution of physico-chemical parameters were studied using Arc GIS 9.2. It was observed that the concentration of parameters, such as NO₃, Cd, Cr, Mn and Pb was above permissible limit (World Health Organization, WHO) in southern part of the study area. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) was calculated for all sampling locations and it was found much above the critical limit of pollution. Geochemical reaction models of selected water groups were constructed using Phreeqc. Geochemical modeling suggests that sodium has source other than halite-albite and calcium has alternate source other than gypsum-carbonate or silicates. It also suggests that evaporites, ion exchange, dissolution along with anthropogenic activities are controlling the hydro-geochemistry of groundwater in the region. Various indices, such as heavy metal pollution index, permeability index, sodium adsorption ratio, were studied to verify suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation.     

Influence of varying nitrogen levels on lipid accumulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.

Microalgal lipids can be enhanced through varying nitrogen (N) content, and limited supply of nitrogen source seems to be valuable approach for increased lipid accumulation in microalgae. In this study, Chlorella sp. IM-02 was observed under fluorescence microscope for increased number of lipid bodies under nitrogen scarcity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine spectral changes due to varying lipid content under nitrogen-starved (N₀, without sodium nitrate), nitrogen-limited (N_0.1, N_0.25, N_0.5 and N_1.0 representing 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/L of sodium nitrate, respectively) and nitrogen-sufficient (N_1.5, i.e., 1.5 g/L sodium nitrate) setting. Chlorophyll content was also monitored under these conditions as growth indicator. Various biochemical components viz. total carbohydrates, total proteins and total lipids were also estimated under varying nitrogen levels spectrophotometrically. On fourth day itself, maximum lipid productivity was observed in case of N_0.5, which is having one-third of nitrogen concentration present in original growth media, BG-11. This concludes N_0.5 as suitable nitrogen provision for better production of lipids in Chlorella sp. IM-02 without much compromising the biomass production as both growth and lipid quantity are key parameters affecting the lipid productivity of any microalgal strain.     

Fast automatic solution of the inverse resistivity problem

The paper presents a fast automatic approach to solve the inverse resistivity problem, assisted by optimization, which is a non-linear model-fitting technique. The selected inverse problems are ill-posed and the inverse solution is defined by ‘best fit’ in the sense of least-squares. Formulations are presented in a systematic manner for Newton’s method, least squares method and Marquardt’s modification (ridge regression) method based on local linearization of non-linear problem. The convergence of least-squares method and Marquardt’s method, to provide a robust solution, are first tested on a theoretical model and effectiveness of Marquardt’s method is demonstrated, and then two-field apparent resistivity curves from Banda district, India are interpreted and discussed.     

Stress induced time dependent behavior of clayey soils

It is shown that time compression curve obtained from one-dimensional consolidation curve in the laboratory may include six phases. These are initial compression, first primary compression, transition from first primary compression to second primary compression, second primary compression, and transition from second primary compression to creep and lastly creep. This paper attempts to identify the quantitative beginnings and characteristics of these phases. A mathematical characteristic of all the soils that follow primary consolidation as per Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory is derived. It is known as the constant of primary consolidation. It is used to study the beginning of secondary consolidation and its effects on primary consolidation. Another characteristic of soils for creep and total absence of primary compression is derived. Methods are suggested for the determination of coefficients of Primary and Secondary consolidations and the compression index.     

Bastnaesite from Kanigiri granite, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh

For the first time we report bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite (lanthanum cerium fluoro-carbonate) from the Kanigiri granite. The host granitoids are of A-type and vary in composition from quartz syenites to peralkaline granites. Rare metal and rare earth-bearing minerals identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies in Kanigiri granite are bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite, besides columbite-tantalite, monazite, fergusonite, thorite and euxenite. Petromineralogical studies have also revealed the presence of bastnaesite. The presence of bastnaesite in Kanigiri granite suggests that the host felsic rocks may also form a potential source for light rare earth mineral, bastnaesite, apart from the already known rare-metal minerals.     

Holistic approach of GIS based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and WetSpass models to evaluate groundwater potential in Gelana watershed of Ethiopia

Appropriate quantification and identification of the groundwater distribution in a hydrological basin may provide necessary information for effective management, planning and development of groundwater resources. Groundwater potential assessment and delineation in a highly heterogeneous environment with limited Spatiotemporal data derived from Gelana watershed of Abaya Chamo lake basin is performed, using integrated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), water and energy transfer between soil and plant and atmosphere under quasi-steady state (WetSpass) models. The outputs of the WetSpass model reveal a favorable structure of water balance in the basin studied, mainly using surface runoff. The simulated total flow and groundwater recharge are validated using river measurements and estimated baseflow at two gauging stations located in the study area, which yields a good agreement. The WetSpass model effectively integrates a water balance assessment in a geographical information system (GIS) environment. The WetSpass model is shown to be computationally reputable for such a remote complex setting as the African rift, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and 0.99 for total flow and baseflow at a significant level of p-value<0.05, respectively. The simulated annual water budget reveals that 77.22% of annual precipitation loses through evapotranspiration, of which 16.54% is lost via surface runoff while 6.24% is recharged to the groundwater. The calibrated groundwater recharge from the WetSpass model is then considered when determining the controlling factors of groundwater occurrence and formation, together with other multi-thematic layers such as lithology, geomorphology, lineament density and drainage density. The selected five thematic layers through MCDA are incorporated by employing the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method to identify the relative dominance in groundwater potential zoning. The weighted factors in the AHP are procedurally aggregated, based on weighted linear combinations to provide the groundwater potential index. Based on the potential indexes, the area then is demarcated into low, moderate, and high groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). The identified GWPZs are finally examined using the existing groundwater inventory data (static water level and springs) in the region. About 70.7% of groundwater inventory points are coinciding with the delineated GWPZs. The weighting comparison shows that lithology, geomorphology, and groundwater recharge appear to be the dominant factors influence on the resources potential. The assessment of groundwater potential index values identify 45.88% as high, 39.38% moderate, and 14.73% as low groundwater potential zones. WetSpass model analysis is more preferable in the area like Gelana watershed when the topography is rugged, inaccessible and having limited gauging stations.     

Numerical modelling of rheological properties of landslide debris

Debris flow has caused severe human casualties and economic losses in landslide-prone areas around the globe. A comprehensive understanding of the morphology and deposition mechanisms of debris flows is crucial to delineate the extent of a debris flow hazard. However, due to inherent complex field topography and varying compositions of the flowing debris, coupled with a lack of fundamental understanding about the factors controlling the geomaterial flow, interparticle interactions and its final settlement resulted in a limited understanding of the flow behaviour of the landslide debris. In this study, a physical model was set up in the laboratory to simulate and calibrate the debris flow using PFC, a distinct element modelling-based software. After calibration, a case study of the Varunavat landslide was taken to validate the developed numerical model. Following validation with an acceptable level of confidence, several models were generated to evaluate the effect of slope height, slope angle, slope profile, and grain size distribution of the dislodged geomaterial in the rheological properties of debris flow. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the landslide debris flow was performed. Finally, the utility of retaining wall and their effect on debris flow is also studied with different retaining wall positions along the slope surface.