Spectral wheat yield prediction modeling using SPOT satellite imagery and leaf area index

As wheat represents the main staple food and strategic crop in Egypt and worldwide and since remote sensing satellite imagery is the tool to obtain synoptic, multi-temporal, dynamic, and time-efficient information about any target on the Earth, the main objective of the current study is to use remote sensing satellite imagery to generate remotely sensed empirical preharvest wheat yield prediction models. The main input parameters of these models are spectral data either in the form of spectral reflectance data released from Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 4 satellite imagery or in the form of spectral vegetation indices. The other input factor is leaf area index (LAI) that was measured by LAI Plant Canopy Analyzer. The four spectral bands of SPOT4 imagery are green, red, near-infrared, and middle infrared; the five vegetation indices that are forms of ratios between red and near-infrared bands are normalized difference vegetation index, ratio vegetation index, soil-adjusted vegetation index, difference vegetation index, and infrared percentage vegetation index. Another vegetation index is green vegetation index that is calculated through a ratio between green band and near-infrared band. Each of the above-mentioned factors was used as an input factor against wheat yield to generate wheat yield prediction models. All generated models are site-specific limited to the area and the environment and could be applicable under similar conditions in Egypt. The study was carried out in Sakha experimental station by using the dataset from two wheat season 2007/2008 and 2009/2010. The total wheat area was 1.3 ha cultivated by Sakha 93 cultivar. Modeling and validation process were carried out for each season independently. Modeled yield was tested against reported yield through two common statistical tests; the standard error of estimate between modeled yield and reported yield, and the correlation coefficient for a direct regression analysis between modeled and reported yield with each generated model. Generally, as shown from the correlation coefficient of the generated models, green and middle infrared bands did not show good accuracy to predict wheat yield, while the other spectral bands (red and near-infrared) bands showed high accuracy and sufficiency to predict yield. This was proven through the correlation coefficient of the generated models and through the generated models with the wheat crops for the two seasons. Accordingly, the green vegetation index that is generally calculated from green and near-infrared bands showed relatively lower accuracy than the rest of the vegetation index models that are calculated from red and near-infrared bands. LAI showed high accuracy to predict yield as shown from the statistical analysis. The models are applicable after 90 days from sowing stage and applicable in similar regions with the same conditions.     

Horizontal soil stress changes around displacement piles

A simplified analysis of the problem of horizontal soil stress changes around circular displacement piles, caused by pile placement, is presented. Pile installation is assumed to cause soil displacements in the horizontal direction only, thus yielding an axisymmetric problem. The soil surrounding the pile is modelled as a weightless non-linear elastic material. Material non-linearity is handled in a simplified manner by adopting secant shear moduli defined in terms of a proportionality coefficient and a softening factor. The resulting equilibrium equation is solved analytically and an expression is obtained which is also conveniently presented in graphical form. The derived expression can be used to estimate horizontal soil stress changes and is incorporated into a simple procedure to estimate the ultimate load or the efficiency of pile groups. Comparisons are made between efficiencies calculated according to this procedure and efficiencies measured in full-scale group load tests in sand.     

Distribution and Influence of Iron Phases the Physico—Chemical Properties of Phyllosilicates

Clay minerals from different Cretaceous stratigraphic successions of Egypt were investigated using XRD,DTA,dissolution analysis(DCB),IR,Moessbauer and X-ray Electron Spin Resonance(ESR) spectroscopes.The purity of the samples and the degree of their structural order were determined by XRD.The location of Fe in the octahedral sheet is characterized by absorption bands at-875cm^-1 assigned as Al-OH-Fe which persist after chemical dissolution of free iron.The Moessbauer spectra of these clays show two doublets with isomer shift and quadrupole splitting typical of octahedrally coordinated Fe^3 ,in addition to third doublet with hyperfine parameter typical of Fe^2 in the spectra of Abu-Had kaolinite (H) sample.Six-lines magnetic hyperfine components which are consistent with those of hematite are confirmed in the spectra of both Isel and Rish kaolinite samples.Goethite was confirmed by both IR and DTA.Multiple nature of ESR of these clays suggested structural Fe in distorted octahedral symmetry as well as non-structural Fe.Little dispersion and low swelling indices as well as incomplete activation of the investigated montmorillonite samplas by NaCO3 appear to be due to incomplete disaggregation of montmorillonite particles.This can be explained by the ability of Fe-gel to aggregate the montmorillonite into pseudo-particles and retard the rigid-gel structure.However,extraction of this ferric amorphous compound by dithonite treatment recovers the surface properties of the montmorillonite samples.On the other hand,the amount and site occupation of Fe associated with kaolinite samples show an inverse correlation with the parameters used to describe the degree of crystallinity perfection,color,brightness and vitrification range of these kaolinite samples.     

Observed Drawdown Pattern Around a Well Partially Penetrating a Vertically Extensive Water-Table Aquifer

In order to understand the flow pattern around a pumping well partially penetrating a vertically extensive aquifer, a specially designed pumping test was carried out in Pakistan. In this paper salient features of the test have been described. The spatial distributions of drawdown have been shown graphically. Some of the preliminary conclusions made from the drawdown pattern include:

• • The distance beyond which the flow is likely to be horizontal increases with decrease in the degree of aquifer penetration.
• • In equidistant observation wells open at different depths, (1) the drawdowns tend to merge at larger times, provided the observation point is located within the screened section of the aquifer; (2) the less the depth of penetration is, the earlier the drawdowns start merging; and (3) the initial rate of drawdown near the aquifer top is slow but catches up with time to exceed those at deeper points.

     

Amplitude Variation with Offset Responses Modeling Study of Walkaway Vertical Seismic Profile Data at CO2 Geological Storage Site, Ketzin, Germany

An important component of any CO2 sequestration project is seismic monitoring for tracking changes in subsurface physical properties, such as velocity and density. Different reservoirs have different amplitude variation with offset (AVO) responses, which can define underground conditions. In the present paper we investigate walkaway vertical seismic profile (VSP) AVO response to CO2 injection at the Ketzin site, the first European onshore CO2 sequestration pilot study dealing with research on geological storage of CO2. First, we performed rock physics analysis to evaluate the effect of injected CO2 on seismic velocity using the Biot-Gassmann equation. On the basis of this model, the seismic response for different CO2 injection saturation was studied using ray tracing modeling. We then created synthetic walkaway VSP data, which we then processed. In contrast, synthetic seismic traces were created from borehole data. Finally, we found that the amplitude of CO2 injected sand layer with different gas saturations were increased with the offset when compared with the original brine target layer. This is the typical class III AVO anomaly for gas sand layer. The AVO responses matched the synthetic seismic traces very well. Therefore, walkaway VSP AVO response can monitor CO2 distribution in the Ketzin area.     

Modeling of soil penetration resistance using multiple linear regression (MLR)

In agricultural areas, the use of machinery leads to improved yields. Nevertheless, its inadequate implementation and excessive utilization can seriously affect the soil efficiency. In fact, latter can be generated by increasing the penetration resistance and subsequently, it results in the compaction phenomenon. This problem becomes considerable with the increasing report wheel/soil. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency through the prediction of soil penetration resistance (Rp) using a statistical model based on moisture content, density, tractor weight, number of passes, and the wheel inflation pressure. Experimental works (211 measurements) were analyzed and the penetration resistance was modeled using multiple linear regressions (MLR). Besides, the developed model elucidates the variables affecting the accentuation of soil Rp and allows the investigation of equations for novel sampled soils. Our results showed that the parameters related to soil and tractors were significant to explain Rp. The adopted model in the MLR analysis emphasizes that the mechanical parameters of ground measurements are statistically significant in estimating and evaluating Rp. The statistical calculation of the R ² expresses 83% of the variance in Rp generated by the various parameters related to soil and tractor. In view of the importance of estimating the penetration resistance (Rp), the regression equation shows that the weight of the tractor and the number of passages contributed the most to the proposed model for the soil.     

Earthquake-induced pounding between equal height multi-storey buildings considering soil-structure interaction

The present paper investigates the coupled effect of the supporting soil flexibility and pounding between neighbouring, insufficiently separated equal height buildings under earthquake excitation. Two adjacent three-storey structures, modelled as inelastic lumped mass systems with different structural characteristics, have been considered in the study. The models have been excited using a suit of ground motions with different peak ground accelerations and recorded at different soil types. A nonlinear viscoelastic pounding force model has been employed in order to effectively capture impact forces during collisions. Spring-dashpot elements have been incorporated to simulate the horizontal and rotational movements of the supporting soil. The results of the numerical simulations, in the form of the structural nonlinear responses as well as the time-histories of energy dissipated during pounding-involved vibrations, are presented in the paper. In addition, the variation in storeys peak responses and peak dissipated energies for different gap sizes are also shown and comparisons are made with the results obtained for colliding buildings with fixed-base supports. Observations regarding the incorporation of the soil-structure interaction and its effect on the responses obtained are discussed. The results of the study indicate that the soil-structure interaction significantly influences the pounding-involved responses of equal height buildings during earthquakes, especially the response of the lighter and more flexible structure. It has been found that the soil flexibility decreases storey peak displacements, peak impact forces and peak energies dissipated during vibrations, whereas it usually leads to the increases in the peak accelerations at each storey level.     

The Quaternary development of tributary channels to the Nile River at Kom Ombo area,Eastern Desert of Egypt,and their implication for groundwater resources

The dry wadis ‘ephemeral channel’ constituting the main tributaries to the Nile River in Kom Ombo are structurally and tectonically controlled and exhibit complex drainage pattern. This complicated drainage pattern is inherited from the morpho‐tectonic evolution of the ancestral Nile River (‘Protonile’), which drained the Eastern Desert during the Middle Pleistocene. A digital elevation model derived from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data is used to delineate the contemporary drainage networks and their catchments. Satellite images acquired during a flash flood event were used to validate the delineated watershed divides and flow pathways, particularly where the courses of dry wadis are interlocked. Currently, the westward flow of Wadi Abu‐Suberah is derived from a small area in the Eastern Desert, as the palaeo‐upper reaches of this wadi were captured due to tectonic movements along NW/SE and N/S faults by wadis in the Kharit and Elewa areas. The influence of these tectonic movements on groundwater distribution is also shown where the deep Nubian aquifer discharges its water into the Quaternary aquifer through fault planes. The northward flowing ‘Protonile’ main course has tectonically shifted from the Gallaba plain in the Western Desert, eastward to the current Nile River course. This shift has produced several cut‐off segments of the palaeo‐tributary drainage that was originally flowing westward towards the old ‘Protonile’ main course in the Gallaba plain. However, these segments have reversed their surface run‐off flow directions eastward towards the current Nile course; they could include potential groundwater resources, as their alluvium may be still recharged by the Nile River. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.