Optimal routing for waste collection: a case study in Singapore

ABSTRACT

To collect and dispose growing amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW) changed to be a hot topic along with the rapid urbanization in past decades. Cities are more and more dependent on the incineration instead of landfilling due to the cost-efficiency and environmental concerns. Considering the limited number of incineration plants and complicated situation of transportation in both spatial and temporal dimensions in different cities, the optimal routing for waste collection turns to be meaningful research topic. In this research, the ant colony optimization (ACO)-based multi-objective routing model coupled with min-max model and Dijkstra’s algorithm is proposed to address the question of which route to take from these waste-generating points to the target incineration plant(s) considering travel time, accident probability (black spots), and population exposure, so as to support the routing decision-making. The model is successfully implemented in Singapore and the effectiveness of the model has also been justified. Besides, few limitations of this research have also been discussed, some of which would also be the future directions of our research, especially the design and integration of a web-based routing decision-making support system.     

大地电磁测深（MT）与土壤氡气测量在涡阳地区地热勘查中的应用

为了研究涡阳地区深部构造和热源条件,在高炉镇附近进行了大地电磁测深(MT)测量和土壤氡气测量工作。通过对大地电磁测深结果和土壤氡气浓度异常分布范围分析和解释,指导区内地热勘查工作。通过资料解释,基本查明区内构造的走向及其垂向延展特征,查明基底起伏变化情况并了解深断裂的控制性,预测地热成矿区有利地段。研究证明,利用MT与土壤氡气测量对隐伏断裂位置和地热异常具有较好的指示意义。     

Cloud Forest Conservation in the Central Highlands of Guatemala Hinges on Soil Conservation and Intensifying Food Production

Soil erosion threatens long-term soil fertility and food production in Q’eqchi’ communities native to the Sierra Yalijux and Sierra Sacranix mountain ranges in the central highlands of Guatemala. Environmental factors such as steep topography, erodible soils, and intense precipitation events, combined with land subdivision and reduced fallow periods as a consequence of population growth, contribute to severe erosion and strain soil resources. The preservation of the region's cloud forests hinges on enhancing production of staple crops through agricultural intensification while maintaining soil fertility through implementation of soil conservation measures.     

山东曹县地区土壤地球化学特征

山东省曹县地区土壤地球化学调查是按浅层土壤样品1点/4 km~2,深层土壤样品1点/16 km~2。测试N,P,K,Cu,Zn,B,Mo,Mn,F,As,Hg,Pb,Cr,Cd等14种指标。在统计这些指标的表层、深层土壤地球化学特征参数的基础上,对其与世界、全省同类参数的差异进行了分析,并分析了区内表层、深层土壤元素含量的相关性,认为该区表层土壤元素含量的显著特征是高F而低P,Zn,Mo。大部分元素在表层土壤中的含量继承了土壤母质的成分特征,但N,P,F,Hg等受人为活动和污染源的作用在表层土壤中明显富集。     

Analysis of soil nail walls performance - Case study

This study surveys the performance of temporary soil nail walls with a maximum height of 29.3 m in the Yas project, located in Tehran. Some numerical models, with various modelling approaches, were developed using finite element software and the proper modelling approaches were specified and verified.The modelling results were analysed and compared with the in situ monitored data. The results demonstrate the model’s horizontal deformations are generally greater than the in situ monitored values. To decrease the differences between models and monitored results, the effect of variations of the soil parameters had been surveyed and the limits of needed variations were specified.     

Leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners

This paper presents leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. Fly ash in different contents (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) by dry weight of the expansive clay was added to the clay, and the ash-clay blend was compacted as a liner overlying a compacted lateritic clay layer. Deionised water (DIW) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solutions of varying concentration (5 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM and 500 mM) were used as the permeating fluids in the leachate studies. Chemical analysis of the leachate was performed. For a given CaCl₂ concentration, the concentrations of both calcium ion and chloride ion in the leachate decreased up to a fly ash content of 20%, and thereafter they increased when the fly ash content was increased to 30%. Further, for a given fly ash content, concentrations of calcium ion and chloride ion increased with increasing CaCl₂ concentration.     

An Analytical Solution for Dynamic Response of the Plate with Different Impedances Subjected to Underwater Explosion

In this paper, the transmitted part of the incident wave is considered to revise Taylor’s solution, which is used to extend its application for analytical models to predict the response of the plate with different material properties. The influence of the material properties and the boundary condition of the plate on fluid and structural dynamics is systematically investigated. The analytical results are compared with those of detailed dynamic FE simulations and the two are in good agreement. The results indicate that the analytical method is valid and suitable for the plates with different material properties subjected to underwater explosion. It is found that Taylor’s results of the plate with small impedance are invalid, which indicates a potential application field for the analytical method.     

Effect of Groundwater Fluctuations on Pore Pressures and Earth Pressures on Coastal Excavation Retaining Walls

Pore water and earth pressures acting on retaining structures are investigated using an efficient coastal double-layered excavation model to determine offshore excavation responses to groundwater fluctuations outside foundation pits. Total pore water pressure includes excess pore water pressure (due to groundwater fluctuations) and steady pore water pressure (due to steady seepage) determined using one-dimensional consolidation theory of double-layered soil and one-dimensional steady-state flow theory, respectively. Rankine's active and passive earth pressures are obtained from pore water pressure. This method is applicable to arbitrary groundwater fluctuation conditions. How physical parameters affect pore water pressure is numerically investigated using examples, demonstrating the method's practicality for calculating pore water and earth pressures.     

内蒙古北山额勒根乌兰乌拉一带土壤测量地球化学特征及找矿方向

研究区位于内蒙古北山北带,成矿地质条件优越,1∶20万水系沉积物测量异常明显,且分布有额勒根乌兰乌拉斑岩型钼(铜)矿。以1∶5万土壤地球化学测量成果为依据,以地质认识为基础,研究了区内元素地球化学数据特征、地球化学场特征及综合异常特征。认为区内主成矿元素为Mo、Cu、Au,主要的控矿层位为咸水湖组火山岩段,成矿有利侵入体为石炭纪花岗闪长岩。划分出5种综合异常类型,其中与斑岩钼(铜)矿系统有关的综合异常和与奥陶系建造有关的综合异常是今后解剖找矿的重点。     

地质背景对土壤微量元素的影响——以渝北地区为例

研究地质背景对土壤元素的控制特征,可为区域土壤元素地球化学研究、种植施肥和农业布局提供科学依据。本研究利用网格化定位与化学分析的方法,结合GIS技术和相关评价标准,探讨了地质背景对Cl、Mn、B、Zn、Cu和Mo元素含量及分布的影响。结果表明:渝北地区土壤Mn、Cu、Zn元素含量整体处于适中与丰富水平,Mo、B元素丰缺参半;B、Mo元素含量显著高于重庆主城区,Zn元素含量显著高于全国水平。受地质背景影响,B、Cl、Cu、Mn元素呈现高度空间相关性,结构性空间变异起主导作用;Mo、Zn元素表现中等空间相关性,由结构性因素和随机因素双重控制。地层的组对元素含量分布起主控作用,土壤元素含量分布形状在空间上与地层组相对应。成土母岩决定土壤元素含量,是土壤元素含量水平的重要控制因素之一,其影响因素主要为岩石类型,其次为岩石形成的地质时期。土壤类型显著影响元素含量,总体上,Mn、Cu、Zn、Mo、B在石灰岩土中含量最高;除B、Mo元素外,其他元素在黄壤中含量最低。