F. Pishro; M. Bakhtiari; N. Shahnikaramzadeh
Abstract
Introduction: Investigation of water passing through soil is one of the most important problems in soil mechanics and environmental engineering. It is an important parameter for predicting the movement of water and contaminants dissolved in the water through the soil and measured on soil samples in ...
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Introduction: Investigation of water passing through soil is one of the most important problems in soil mechanics and environmental engineering. It is an important parameter for predicting the movement of water and contaminants dissolved in the water through the soil and measured on soil samples in the lab and sometimes tests carried out in the field. Soil permeability generally depends on two factors, the first one is soil Specifications contains an empty space of soil, surface roughness of solid particles, saturation, and another one is characteristics of the fluid (water) that passes through soil. Already few efforts have been made to recognize the characteristics of anisotropy in the geotechnical designs therefore this study has been done. Physical and mechanical properties of soils and sedimentary rocks are generally heterogeneous and hydraulic conductivity (k) is not an exception. The anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity of soils has a great influence on the fluid flow and the transmission of contamination. Knowing the hydraulic conductivity in cases such as flow through dams and dikes, internal erosion in soil masses, settling of consolidated clay levels, optimal design of water and oil wells, and the design of drainage systems for roads, airports and agricultural land. Generally, the hydraulic conductivity is more in the horizontal direction than the hydraulic conductivity in the vertical direction, and the hydraulic conductivity anisotropy is shown with a non-dimensional parameter rk which is equal to the ratio of the horizontal hydraulic conductivity to the vertical hydraulic conductivity. According to Chapuis et al. (1989), on more than 100 measurements of hydraulic conductivity along with the results of the experiments of Chapuis et al. (1990), Rice et al. (1970) and Leroueil et al. (1990), the anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivity of clays, sands and sedimentary rocks are almost like each other. The degree of anisotropy may depend on the shape of the particles, their arrangement, or the orientation of the free space among the particles of the soil, which appears to be less than 4. Due to the impossibility of preparing intact samples from grain materials, as well as the lack of suitable measuring instruments for grain samples, there are few valid results for non-sticky materials. As Chapuis et al. (1989) and Sferlazza et al. (2009) in accordance with most of the experimental results, the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity increases with density, and also the degree of anisotropy decreases with increasing porosity ratio.
Materials and Methods: In order to conduct the present research, measurement device was designed and built. This device is a cube with 150 mm ×150 mm × 173 mm dimensions. The components of the device are: bleeding valves, inlet and outlet valves, porous plates and the size of the sample respectively. In this study, four uniform soil samples were selected for test. Samples are prepared in falling manner, with three porosity and under three different hydraulic gradient were tested. In Table 1 The general pattern of research experiments is presented. In this study, 36 tests were performed.
Table 1-Pattern of research experiments
Parameter Diameter particle Void ratio Water head
The number of test cases 4 3 3
To measure vertical permeability, due to large grains samples, according to ASTM D-2434 standard fixed-load test method has been used. First, the porous plate is placed on the bottom of the measuring device to prevent the soil from entering and exiting the water penetration then The soil is inserted from the fixed height into the device and the porous plate is placed on the sample. Then place should be located at the top of the device and close the screws so there should be no water leak. Then the weight of the soil should be measured and connect the system to the water. Then the outlet tap should be opened and water should be passed through the soil sample until the sample would be completely saturated and no air bubbles come out of the outlet pipe and fix water level. Then the water head and weigh the empty container and the duration of the outflow of water for a given water volume should be measured. After performing the test at a specified head, the elevation of water should be changed by reservoir adjustment and the permeability coefficient would be measured in other loads.
Results and Discussion:
The effect of hydraulic loads on horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity coefficients for uniform samples
Horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity tests were performed on uniform samples including coarse aggregate materials with a diameter of 0.85, 2, 6.35, and 5.9 mm. In Figures (1) to (3), the effect of hydraulic load on horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity for uniform samples in minimum and maximum conditions is shown.
(B( (A(
(D( (C(
Figuer1- According hydraulic conductivity to hydraulic gradient for uniform samples with A) vertical hydraulic conductivity, minimal porosity B) Horizontal hydraulic conductivity, minimal porosity C) vertical hydraulic conductivity, maximum porosity D) horizontal hydraulic, maximum porosity
Investigations showed that in all cases, with increasing hydraulic load, the horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity decreased and then the process of change was almost constant.
Investigation of the effect of porosity on horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity of uniform samples
The results showed that the horizontal hydraulic conductivity coefficient for all samples was higher than the vertical hydraulic conductivity coefficient.
Also, the results showed that the minimum hydraulic conductivity (e = 0.46) and maximum porosity (e = 0.97) were about 34.33 and 0.35 percent higher than the hydraulic hydraulic conductivity, respectively.
Investigation of the effect of porosity on the anisotropy coefficient of hydraulic conductivity of uniform samples: The results showed that with increasing porosity, the coefficient of heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity for uniform samples was reduced and this coefficient was for uniform samples in the range of 0.89 to 1.35.
Conclusions: The final results can be summarized as follow:
1. The permeability in the horizontal direction is often greater than the permeability in the vertical direction.
2. The anisotropy permeability for uniform sample is between 0.85-1.35.
3. The anisotropy permeability decreases with increasing porosity.
4. In the uniform samples, maximum permeability occurs at higher hydraulic conductivity.
5. With increasing the uniformity coefficient, the amount of hydraulic conductivity decreases.
M. Shakarami; S. Marofi; Gh. Rahimi
Abstract
Introduction: Arid and semi-arid areas are confronting increasing water shortages. In these regions of the world, planners are being forced to consider other water sources that could be used economically and effectively to promote further development. Wastewater is the only potential water source, which ...
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Introduction: Arid and semi-arid areas are confronting increasing water shortages. In these regions of the world, planners are being forced to consider other water sources that could be used economically and effectively to promote further development. Wastewater is the only potential water source, which will increase as the population grows and the demand on freshwater increases. Composting municipal solid wastes (MSW) and sewage sludge is a good way to reduce the amount of wastes generated in densely populated areas. Municipal solid waste production in Asia in 1998 was 0.76 million tons per day, with an annual growth rate of 2- 3% in developing countries and 3.2- 4.5% in developed countries. (MSW) compost is increasingly used in agriculture not only as a soil conditioner but also as a fertilizer. Despite the growing interest in wastewater and compost usage, excessive application of them may have some harmful effects such as human health problems, runoff and leaching of nutrients to surface and groundwater, undesirable chemical constituents, pathogens, accumulations of heavy metals in plants and soils, negative environmental and health impacts. So, using of wastewater and compost application should be under controlled conditions that minimize health risks of agricultural products.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in greenhouse of Bu-Ali Sina as a factorial completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of wastewater and compost on physical and chemical properties of soil. The factors included four types of watering: raw wastewater (W1), treated wastewater (W2) combined 50% of raw wastewater and fresh water (W3) and tap water (W4) and also four compost levels: 0 (C1), 40 (C2), 80 (C3) and 120 tha-1 (C4). Therefore, 16 treatments (W1C1 to W4C4) were considered for investigation. It is noted that Compost added and mixed just with top layer of the soil. 48 volumetric lysimeters were applied as Cultivation beds (26 × 30 × 30 cm). The soil had three layers: the upper layer (Clay texture), the middle layer (clay loam) and the bottom layer (sandy clay loam). After beds preparation, basil (Ocimum Basilicum) was planted in them. Due to the lack of an active wastewater treatment plant in the region, raw and treated wastewaters were transported from Kermanshah, the nearest city to Hamedan. Also, municipal compost was prepared from Kermanshah Compost Company.At the end of cultivation period, the soil samples (from 0-15 cm) were collected and the amount of physical (hydraulic conductivity, bulk and particle density and porosity)and chemical (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) properties were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the water quality has a significant effect on all parameters and the amount of compost has significant effect on all parameters except bulk density. But, the amount of all parameters (except hydraulic conductivity) was not influenced by interaction between water quality and compost levels. In all treatments, the range of hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, particle density and total porosity were varied between 23.82 to 35.61 mmh-1, 1.41 to 1.43 grcm-3, 2.51 to 2.57 grcm-3 and 42.88 to 45.19 %, respectively. Also the range of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were varied between 0.06 to0.08 %, 14.64 to232.28mgkg-1,and 393.22 to519.84mgkg-1,respectively.Overall, the results indicated that using compost and wastewater increased hydraulic conductivity, porosity, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium of the soil in comparison to the control. Whereasbulk and particle density of soil decresed by using compost and wastewater (as a mixed material).
Conclusion: In this study, we investigated the effect of wastewater and compost on some of soil physical properties (hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, particle density and total porosity) and also some of chemical properties of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium).The results showed that the use of wastewater and compost on soil physical condition has a positive effect.Wastewater and compost by improving the soil pore size distribution, decreased the bulk and particle density and increased porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The impact of wastewater and compost to improve the physical properties, commensurate with the level of wastewater treatment and composting rate in the soil. Also using the wastewater (raw wastewater, treated wastewater and combined 50% of raw wastewater and fresh water) and compost (40, 80 and 120 tha-1), compared to the control (fresh water and soil without compost), increased total of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of soil. But, due to the risks of soil salinity and nitrogen leaching, it is suggested that longterm exposure to wastewater and compost needs a careful practical management.
S. Hamidi Nehrani; A.R. Vaezi
Abstract
Marls have been recognized as susceptible formations against water erosion. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is a biodegradable polymer which can be currently applied in soil conservation programs. The study was conducted to investigate effect of the PVAc on hydraulic conductivity and runoff and sediment production ...
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Marls have been recognized as susceptible formations against water erosion. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is a biodegradable polymer which can be currently applied in soil conservation programs. The study was conducted to investigate effect of the PVAc on hydraulic conductivity and runoff and sediment production in a marl soil. The PVAc was applied in soil surface at five levels consists of zero (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 with three replications. The polymerized soils were putted into fifteen flumes with a dimension of 0.5m × 1m and 15cm depth. The flumes were placed in 9% slope and affected by five simulated rainfall events (40 mm h-1 in intensity and 30 min duration) with seven days interval. Based on the results, soil infiltration and hydraulic conductivity significantly affected by the PVAc application with a statistical level of 0.05 and 0.01, respectively. Analysis of runoff and sediment data showed that the runoff and sediment production was remarkably influenced by the PVAc application. There was found that 50 kg per hectare of the PVAc have the highest effect in improving infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity, and consequently decreasing runoff and sediment production. The infiltration rate in 50 kg per hectare of the PVAc was 16.6% higher than zero treatment (control). The study reveled that the PVAc can be successfully used in the marl areas to improve soil structure and control runoff and sediment
A. Hassanoghli; Sh. Pedram
Abstract
Conventional graded granular filters which are commonly used in subsurface drainage projects in Iran, encounter various difficulties such as huge costs and long distances from source of gravels and led to use of other materials as envelopes. Synthetic products can be justified over granular filters ...
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Conventional graded granular filters which are commonly used in subsurface drainage projects in Iran, encounter various difficulties such as huge costs and long distances from source of gravels and led to use of other materials as envelopes. Synthetic products can be justified over granular filters due to their comparable performance, improved economy and ease of placement. Considering that, it’s essential to assess selected synthetic envelopes performance before setting them in the field. The objective of this study is assessment of permeameter test proccessing (based on ASTM D-5101 standard), using 3 different PLM synthetic envelopes (PP450, PP700 and PP900) in application of water with different salinity (EC= 22.2 dS/m and 0.78 dS/m) and saline-sodic soil (EC= 169.3 dS/m and SAR= 45.18 (meq/lit)0.5), prepared from north Khoram-Shahr drainage project located in Khuzestan Provience. This study deal with evaluation of permeability tests results by applying saline water and soil which is not common in permeameter standard tests. So, a distinctive point of this research is using drainage water with high salinity, in comparison with applying normal water and also saline soil. For this purpose, two physical models of permeameter used to do a series of permeability tests by varying synthetic envelope types and saline and normal water. Permeability tests were done at 5 different hydraulic gradients (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10). Variations of discharge, hydraulic conductivity and gradient ratio (GR) were measured and investigated statically as factorial experiments in the form of randomized complete design. The results demonstrated that the more salinity the lower the hydraulic conductivity in all synthetic envelopes. The average hydraulic conductivity by applying normal water were 1.29, 1.36 and 1.26 times more than the average hydraulic conductivity by applying saline water for PP450, PP700 and PP900 samples respectively. Based on all tests of gradient ratios, it can be concluded that none of the envelope samples were susceptible to clogging, even in application of saline soil and water, even though the probability of clogging by applying saline water was higher. Also, it should be noticed that water quality is essential to encounter in permeability tests.
