Uplift of symmetrical anchor plates by using grid-fixed reinforced reinforcement in cohesionless soil

Uplift response of symmetrical anchor plates with and without grid fixed reinforced （GFR） reinforcement was evaluated in model tests and numerical simulations by Plaxis. Many variations of reinforcement layers were used to reinforce the sandy soil over symmetrical anchor plates. In the current research, different factors such as relative density of sand, embedment ratios, and various GFR parameters including size, number of layers, and the proximity of the layer to the symmetrical anchor plate were investigated in a scale model. The failure mechanism and the associated rupture surface were observed and evaluated. GFR, a tied up system made of fiber reinforcement polymer （FRP） strips and end balls, was connected to the geosynthetic material and anchored into the soil. Test results showed that using GFR reinforcement significantly improved the uplift capacity of anchor plates. It was found that the inclusion of one layer of GFR, which rested directly on the top of the anchor plate, was more effective in enhancing the anchor capacity itself than other methods. It was found that by including GFR the uplift response was improved by 29%. Multi layers of GFR proved more effective in enhancing the uplift capacity than a single GFR reinforcement. This is due to the additional anchorage provided by the GFR at each level of reinforcement. In general, the results show that the uplift capacity of symmetrical anchor plates in loose and dense sand can be significantly increased by the inclusion of GFR. It was also observed that the inclusion of GFR reduced the requirement for a large L/D ratio to achieve the required uplift capacity. The laboratory and numerical analysis results are found to be in agreement in terms of breakout factor and failure mechanism pattern.     

Bioaugmentation for the enhancement of hydrocarbon phytoremediation by rhizobacteria consortium in pilot horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands

The development of the bioaugmentation during the phytoremediation of contaminated water with diesel in pilot horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands was investigated for 63 days. The objective of this study was to examine the enrichment of rhizobacteria in a pilot-scale system for efficient treatment of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) effluent. A consortium of three rhizobacteria strains (Bacillus aquimaris, Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus), which were able to utilize hydrocarbon compounds as sole carbon sources, was injected into the constructed wetlands (batchwise operation) planted with Scirpus grossus. The TPH removals from water, without or with the addition of rhizobacteria, were found to be 72 and 84%, while from sand was found to be 59 and 77%, for each treatment, respectively. These results showed that the rhizobacteria strains could enhance S. grossus growth by decreasing diesel stress and protecting S. grossus against diesel, with 12 and 18% additional TPH removal from water and sand, respectively. Our results demonstrate that S. grossus is potential to improve the phytoremediation of hydrocarbon contaminants through inoculation with effective rhizobacterial strains.     

Agrobiodiversity of Muda Rice Agroecosystem:A case Study in Largest Granary Area of Malaysia

A survey was carried out at the largest rice cultivation area in Peninsular Malaysia,the Muda rice agroecosystem.The main objective of this study was to document the overall biodiversity associated with this unique agroecosystem by using a combination of sampling techniques in order to record different groups of fauna and flora.The total number of biota recorded and identified from the rice field ecosystem during the study period consisted of 46 species of zooplankton,81 species of aquatic insects,5 species of rodents,7 species of bats,87 species of birds,11 species of fishes and 58 species of weeds.A long-term study should be carried out as more species are expected to be recorded when more of the Muda rice agroecosystem area has been sampled to obtain sufficient information on the Muda rice agrobiodiversity.     

Characterization of phosphoric acid- and lime-stabilized tropical lateritic clay

The effect of calcium-based stabilizers such as lime on the geotechnical properties of tropical soils has been reported by many researchers. However, the amount of literature available on the micro-structural, molecular, and leaching characteristics of lime and in particular phosphoric acid-stabilized lateritic clays has been limited. This research was carried out in an attempt to identify the time-dependent soil-chemical reactions. In addition, the possible mechanisms that contributed to the stabilization process were discussed in the light of various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDAX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) etc. Based on the results it was found that in lime-treated samples, the coating action of free iron oxides on clay particles imposed inhibitive effects on the dissolution of clay alumina. On the other hand, in phosphoric acid-stabilized soil, due to the increase in solubility of metal oxides and also the subsequent release of clay alumina the formation of cementitious compounds were more feasible. From engineering point of view, the phosphoric acid-stabilized lateritic soil showed the highest degree of improvement with an approximately threefold strength increase in comparison with the natural soil over an 8-month curing period.     

Criteria of Acceptance for Constant Rate of Strain Consolidation Test for Tropical Cohesive Soil

In this study, the rapid consolidation equipment (RACE) was developed as an alternative device to the conventional consolidation test using Oedometer, consuming merely a few hours for the whole precedure to determine the consolidation characteristics of cohesive soil. RACE operates based on the constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation theory, which is a continuous loading method of testing, requiring a good estimation of the loading rate such that it is ideal for the achievement of steady state condition during testing. The steady state condition is achieved when the c _v values from drained and undrained face of CRS converged with the c_v from Oedometer test. A slightly modification has been made on the normal constant rate of strain (CRS) test by proposing a direct back pressure system to the specimen using a tube to saturate the soil sample. This research has produced a set of criteria for determining the suitable rate for the rapid consolidation test based on the ratio of normalized strain rate, β, and proposed a new coefficient in terms of a ratio of β to clay fraction (CF), as a part of new criteria for testing a fine soil. Four types of sample were tested with different rates of strain using the RACE and their results were compared with those conducted using the Oedometer on the same soil type, from which fairly good agreements were evident in many specimens. It was found from the study that the minimum value of normalized strain rate, β, for the CRS test is 0.005 and for the u _a /σ _v ratio is suggested as 0.01. Also, the maximum β/CF for soils with clay friction lower and higher than 50 % are 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. The minimum β/CF value for both conditions is 0.0001.     

Prediction of long-term settlement on soft clay using shear wave velocity and damping characteristics

This paper presents a method of calculating long-term settlement of a loaded pad on soft clay at Klang, Selangor, Malaysia where the soil model is treated as an anelastic material of viscoelastic property. Initially, an elastic shear modulus (G) value from shear wave velocity profiles of the seismic tests from spectral analysis of surface wave (SASW) and continuous surface wave (CSW) tests was obtained. A value of damping (D) at an equivalent elastic strain is then calculated from the hysteresis of the plate load tests corrected to equivalent strain using the Damping–Strain formula. The calculated elastic settlement and its equivalent damping are then used to calculate the long-term settlement by applying the generalised viscoelastic formula. Comparisons to traditional methods of settlement predictions were made and the viscoelastic formula has shown better agreement to the observed settlement. Further modification of the settlement formula is introduced to improve the settlement accuracy to 10%.     

The Recovery of Two Long-logged Headwaters in Temengor Reservoir,Perak,Malaysia

A study on water quality of the two long-logged and abandoned headwaters in Temengor Reservoir was conducted to determine their natural recovery.In this study,we used National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia prepared by Malaysian Department of Environment as an indicator for water quality recovery.The parameters measured were dissolved oxygen（mg/L）,water temperature（℃）,pH,conductivity（mS/cm）,total dissolved solids（mg/ L）,water velocity（m/s）,ortho-phosphate（PO₄-P）,nitrite-nitrogen（NO₂-N）,nitrate-nitrogen（NO₃,-N）and alkalinity. In general,water quality in Sungai Enam and Sungai Telang were in ClassⅠ,indicating water quality in both streams have recovered.Based on the t-test,Sungai Enam and Sungai Telang differed significantly in all parameters except for dissolved oxygen,NO₂-N and NO₃-N.In spatial analyses（upper,middle and lower reaches comparisons）, the two-way ANOVA analysis shows that there were significant differences in all studied parameters between the two rivers except for dissolved oxygen,total dissolved solids,NO₂-N and NO₃-N.Stream flow,hydrologic pathways,geomorphology,physical and environmental characteristics are essential elements in understanding the dynamics of water systems in Sungai Enam and Sungai Telang.Due to the recovery,these two headwaters are thus suitable for fish conservation and restoration sites.     

Stabilization of tropical kaolin soil with phosphoric acid and lime

Studies on the chemically stabilized soils have shown that the effectiveness of treatment is largely dependent on soil’s natural environment. In tropical kaolin soils, phosphoric acid may be used as an alternative to traditional alkaline stabilizers for improving soil properties. This research was carried out in an effort to identify the time-dependent soil-stabilizer reactions. Data for the study of characterization of treated samples were obtained from X-ray diffractometry, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and leaching analysis. Based on the collected data, the kaolinite mineral with pH-dependent structural properties showed slightly different behavior both in basic and in acidic mediums. Also, it was found that the chemical stabilizers preferentially attacked the alumina surface of the clay particles. Therefore, it was rational to suggest that with respect to lime and phosphoric acid treatment, aluminate hydrate compounds are more likely to be formed.     

Cation Exchange Capacity of Phosphoric Acid and Lime Stabilized Montmorillonitic and Kaolinitic Soils

Studies on the chemically stabilized soils have shown that the effectiveness of treatment is largely dependent on soil??s natural environment. In this research, the time-dependent changes induced in permanent cation exchange capacity of lime and phosphoric acid treated soils, comprised mainly of montmorillonite and kaolinite minerals, were investigated. Also, in order to study the relationship between the exchange capacity and acidity/alkalinity of pore water, pH measurements were performed on cured samples. Based on the collected data, it was found that the pH of stabilized soils showed a tendency for reaching soil??s natural pH with increasing curing time. In addition, the increase in number of broken bonds around the edges of soil particles and also the formation of cementitious compounds that acquired negative charges contributed to achieving higher CEC_p values at longer curing periods. Nevertheless, the kaolinite mineral with pH-dependent structural properties, showed a rather limited behavior in the acidic medium. From engineering point of view, the lime treated samples revealed the highest degree of improvement with an approximately ten-fold strength increase in comparison to the natural soil over an 8?months curing period.     

Uplift response of symmetrical anchor plates in reinforced cohesionless soil

The uplift response of symmetrical anchor plates with and without geogrid reinforcement layers has been evaluated in model tests and numerical simulations using PLAXIS. Many parameters of the reinforcement layers were used to reinforce the sandy soil over circular, square, and rectangular symmetrical anchor plates of various sizes. In the current research, different parameters, such as relative density of sand and embedment ratios, in conjunction with geogrid reinforcement layer parameters including size, number of layers, and the proximity of the layer to the circular anchor plate, were investigated in a scale model. The failure mechanism and the associated rupture surface were observed and evaluated. Test results showed that using geogrid reinforcement layers significantly improves the uplift capacity of symmetrical anchor plates. It was found that inclusion of one geogrid layer resting directly on top of the symmetrical anchor plate was more effective in enhancing the symmetrical anchor capacity than the layer itself. It was also found that the inclusion of one geogrid layer on the symmetrical anchor plate improved the uplift capacity more than the same symmetrical anchor plate embedded without a reinforcement layer. The single geogrid layer was also more effective in enhancing the uplift capacity compared to the multiple geogrid layer reinforcement approach. In general, the results show that the uplift capacity of symmetrical anchor plates in loose and dense sand can be significantly increased by the inclusion of geogrid layers. It was also observed that the inclusion of geogrid layers reduces the requirement for a higher L/D ratio to achieve the required uplift capacity. The results of the laboratory and numerical analysis are found to be in agreement in terms of the breakout factor and failure mechanism pattern.