Abstract: To maintain a healthy balanced loyalty, whether to art
or society, posits a debatable issue. The artist is always on the look
out for the potential tension between those two realms. Therefore,
one of the most painful dilemmas the artist finds is how to function in
a society without sacrificing the aesthetic values of his/her work. In
other words, the life-long awareness of failure which derives from the
concept of the artist as caught between unflattering social realities
and the need to invent genuine art forms becomes a fertilizing soil for
the artists to be tackled. Thus, within the framework of this dilemma,
the question of the responsibility of the artist and the relationship of
the art to politics will be illuminating. To a larger extent, however, in
drama, this dilemma is represented by the fictional characters of the
play. The present paper tackles the idea of the amorality of the artist in
selected plays by Tom Stoppard. However, Stoppard’s awareness of
his situation as a refugee has led him to keep at a distance from
politics. He tried hard to avoid any intervention into the realms of
political debate, especially in his earliest work. On the one hand, it is
not meant that he did not interest in politics as such, but rather he
preferred to question it than to create a fixed ideological position. On
the other hand, Stoppard’s refusal to intervene in politics is ascribed
to his feeling of gratitude to Britain where he settled. As a result,
Stoppard has frequently been criticized for a lack of political
engagement and also for not leaning too much for the left when he
does engage. His reaction to these public criticisms finds expression
in his self-conscious statements which defensively stressed the
artifice of his work. He, like Oscar Wilde thinks that the
responsibility of the artist is devoted to the realm of his/her art.
Consequently, his consciousness for the role of the artist is truly
reflected in his two plays, Artist Descending a Staircase (1972) and
Travesties (1974).
Abstract: The post-rain puddles problem that occurs in the first
yard of Prambanan Temple are often disturbing visitor activity. A
poodle layer and a drainage system had ever built to avoid such a
problem, but puddles still did not stop appearing after rain.
Permeability parameter needs to be determined by using a simpler
procedure to find exact method of solution. The instrument modelling
was proposed according to the development of field permeability
testing instrument. This experiment used a proposed Constant
Discharge method. Constant Discharge method used a tube poured
with constant water flow from unsaturated until saturated soil
condition. Volumetric water content (θ) were monitored by soil
moisture measurement device. The results were correlations between
k and θ which were drawn by numerical approach from Van
Genutchen model. Parameters θr optimum value obtained from the
test was at very dry soil. Coefficient of permeability with a density of
19.8 kN/m3 for unsaturated conditions was in range of 3 x 10-6
cm/sec (Sr=68%) until 9.98 x 10-4 cm/sec (Sr=82%). The equipment
and testing procedure developed in this research was quite effective,
simple and easy to be implemented on determining field soil
permeability coefficient value of sandy soil. Using constant discharge
method in proposed permeability test, value of permeability
coefficient under unsaturated condition can be obtained without
establish soil water characteristic curve.
Abstract: Numerical study of the static response of
homogeneous clay stratum considering a wide range of cohesion and
subject to foundation loads is presented. The linear elastic–perfectly
plastic constitutive relation with the von Mises yield criterion were
utilised to develop a numerically cost effective finite element model
for the soil while imposing a rigid body constrain to the foundation
footing. From the analyses carried out, estimate of the bearing
capacity factor, Nc as well as the ultimate load-carrying capacities of
these soils, effect of cohesion on foundation settlements, stress fields
and failure propagation were obtained. These are consistent with
other findings in the literature and hence can be a useful guide in
design of safe foundations in clay soils for buildings and other
structure.
Abstract: The practical efficient approach is suggested for
estimation of the seismoacoustic sources energy in C-OTDR
monitoring systems. This approach is represents the sequential plan
for confidence estimation both the seismoacoustic sources energy, as
well the absorption coefficient of the soil. The sequential plan
delivers the non-asymptotic guaranteed accuracy of obtained
estimates in the form of non-asymptotic confidence regions with
prescribed sizes. These confidence regions are valid for a finite
sample size when the distributions of the observations are unknown.
Thus, suggested estimates are non-asymptotic and nonparametric,
and also these estimates guarantee the prescribed estimation accuracy
in form of prior prescribed size of confidence regions, and prescribed
confidence coefficient value.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the questions raised through the
work of Unit 5: ‘In/Out Crisis, emergent and adaptive’; an
architectural research-based studio at [ARC] University of Nicosia. Students were asked to delve into state of Art Technologies in
order to propose sustainable Emergent and Adaptive Architectures
and Urbanities, the resulting unprecedented spatial conditions and
atmospheres of the emergent new ways of living are deemed to be the
ultimate aim of the investigation. Students explored a variety of sites
and crisis conditions seen through their primary ingredient identified
as soil, water and air and their paired combination. Within this
methodology, crisis is seen as a mechanism for allowing an
emergence of new and fascinating ultimate sustainable future cultures
and cities by taking advantage of the primary materiality of the sites.
Abstract: A geoelectric survey was carried out in some parts of
Angwan Gwari, an outskirt of Lapai Local Government Area on
Niger State which belongs to the Nigerian Basement Complex, with
the aim of evaluating the soil corrosivity, aquifer transmissivity and
protective capacity of the area from which aquifer characterisation
was made. The G41 Resistivity Meter was employed to obtain fifteen
Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding data along profiles in a
square grid network. The data were processed using interpex 1-D
sounding inversion software, which gives vertical electrical sounding
curves with layered model comprising of the apparent resistivities,
overburden thicknesses, and depth. This information was used to
evaluate longitudinal conductance and transmissivities of the layers.
The results show generally low resistivities across the survey area
and an average longitudinal conductance variation from
0.0237Siemens in VES 6 to 0.1261Siemens in VES 15 with almost
the entire area giving values less than 1.0 Siemens. The average
transmissivity values range from 96.45 Ω.m2 in VES 4 to 299070
Ω.m2 in VES 1. All but VES 4 and VES14 had an average
overburden greater than 400 Ω.m2, these results suggest that the
aquifers are highly permeable to fluid movement within, leading to
the possibility of enhanced migration and circulation of contaminants
in the groundwater system and that the area is generally corrosive.
Abstract: It is quite essential to investigate the causes of
pavement deterioration in order to select the proper maintenance
technique. The objective of this study was to identify factors cause
deterioration of recently constructed roads in Khartoum state. A
comprehensive literature concerning the factors of road deterioration,
common road defects and their causes were reviewed. Three major
road projects with different deterioration reasons were selected for
this study. The investigation involved field survey and laboratory
testing on those projects to examine the existing pavement
conditions. The results revealed that the roads investigated
experienced severe failures in the forms of cracks, potholes, and
rutting in the wheel path. The causes of those failures were found
mainly linked to poor drainage, traffic overloading, expansive
subgrade soils, and the use of low quality materials in construction.
Based on the results, recommendations were provided to help
highway engineers in selecting the most effective repair techniques
for specific kinds of distresses.
Abstract: Foundation differential settlement and supported
structure tilting are an occasionally occurred engineering problem.
This may be caused by overloading, changes in ground soil properties
or unsupported nearby excavations. Engineering thinking points
directly toward the logic solution for such problem by uplifting the
settled side. This can be achieved with deep foundation elements
such as micro-piles and macro-piles™, jacked piers, and helical piers,
jet grouted mortar columns, compaction grout columns, cement
grouting or with chemical grouting, or traditional pit underpinning
with concrete and mortar. Although, some of these techniques offer
economic, fast and low noise solutions, many of them are quite the
contrary. For tilted structures, with the limited inclination, it may be much
easier to cause a balancing settlement on the less-settlement side
which shall be done carefully in a proper rate. This principal has been
applied in Leaning Tower of Pisa stabilization with soil extraction
from the ground surface. In this research, the authors attempt to
introduce a new solution with a different point of view. So, the
micro-tunneling technique is presented in here as an intended ground
deformation cause. In general, micro-tunneling is expected to induce
limited ground deformations. Thus, the researchers propose to apply
the technique to form small size ground unsupported holes to produce
the target deformations. This shall be done in four phases: 1.
Application of one or more micro-tunnels, regarding the existing
differential settlement value, under the raised side of the tilted
structure. 2. For each individual tunnel, the lining shall be pulled out
from both sides (from jacking and receiving shafts) in the slow rate.
3. If required, according to calculations and site records, an additional
surface load can be applied on the raised foundation side. 4. Finally, a
strengthening soil grouting shall be applied for stabilization after
adjustment. A finite element based numerical model is presented to simulate
the proposed construction phases for different tunneling positions and
tunnels group. For each case, the surface settlements are calculated
and induced plasticity points are checked. These results show the
impact of the suggested procedure on the tilted structure and its
feasibility. Comparing results also show the importance of the
position selection and tunnels group gradual effect. Thus, a new
engineering solution is presented to one of the structural and
geotechnical engineering challenges.
Abstract: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are
formed mainly because of incomplete combustion of organic
materials during industrial, domestic activities or natural occurrence.
Their toxicity and contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
have been established. However, with limited validity index, previous
research has focused on PAHs isomer pair ratios of variable
physicochemical properties in source identification. The objective of
this investigation was to determine the empirical validity of Pearson
Correlation Coefficient (PCC) and Cluster Analysis (CA) in PAHs
source identification along soil samples of different land uses.
Therefore, 16 PAHs grouped, as Endocrine Disruption Substances
(EDSs) were determined in 10 sample stations in top and sub soils
seasonally. PAHs was determined the use of Varian 300 gas
chromatograph interfaced with flame ionization detector. Instruments
and reagents used are of standard and chromatographic grades
respectively. PCC and CA results showed that the classification of
PAHs along pyrolitic and petrogenic organics used in source
signature is about the predominance PAHs in environmental matrix.
Therefore, the distribution of PAHs in the studied stations revealed
the presence of trace quantities of the vast majority of the sixteen
PAHs, which may ultimately inhabit the actual source signature
authentication. Therefore, factors to be considered when evaluating
possible sources of PAHs could be; type and extent of bacterial
metabolism, transformation products/substrates, and environmental
factors such as salinity, pH, oxygen concentration, nutrients, light
intensity, temperature, co-substrates, and environmental medium are
hereby recommended as factors to be considered when evaluating
possible sources of PAHs.
Abstract: Fires is one of the main types of disturbances that
shape ecosystems in the Mediterranean region. However nowadays,
climate alterations towards higher temperatures result on increased
levels of fire intensity, frequency and spread as well as difficulties for
natural regeneration to occur. Thasos Island is one of the Greek
islands that has experienced those problems. Since 1984, a series of
wildfires led to the reduction of forest cover from 61.6% to almost
20%. The negative impacts were devastating in many different
aspects for the island. The absence of plant cover, post-wildfire
precipitation and steep slopes were the major factors that induced
severe soil erosion and intense floods. That also resulted to serious
economic problems to the local communities and the inability of the
burnt areas to regenerate naturally. Despite the substantial amount of
published work regarding Thasos wildfires, there is no information
related to post-wildfire effects on factors such as soil erosion. More
research related to post-fire effects should help to an overall
assessment of the negative impacts of wildfires on land degradation
through processes such as soil erosion and flooding.
Abstract: The current study focuses on the seismic design of
offshore pipelines against active faults. After an extensive literature
review of the provisions of the seismic norms worldwide and of the
available analytical methods, the study simulates numerically
(through finite-element modeling and strain-based criteria) the
distress of offshore pipelines subjected to PGDs induced by active
normal and reverse seismic faults at the seabed. Factors, such as the
geometrical properties of the fault, the mechanical properties of the
ruptured soil formations, and the pipeline characteristics, are
examined. After some interesting conclusions regarding the seismic
vulnerability of offshore pipelines, potential cost-effective mitigation
measures are proposed taking into account constructability issues.
Abstract: A clay soil classified as A-7-6 and CH soil according
to AASHTO and unified soil classification system respectively, was
stabilized using A-3 soil (AASHTO soil classification system). The
clay soil was replaced with 0%, 10%, 20%, to 100% A-3 soil,
compacted at both British Standard Light (BSL) and British Standard
Heavy (BSH) compaction energy levels and using Unconfined
Compressive Strength (UCS) as evaluation criteria. The Maximum
Dry Density (MDD) of the treated soils at both the BSL and BSH
compaction energy levels showed increase from 0% to 40% A-3 soil
replacement after which the values reduced to 100% replacement.
The trend of the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) with varied A-3
soil replacement was similar to that of MDD but in a reversed order.
The OMC reduced from 0% to 40% A-3 soil replacement after which
the values increased to 100% replacement. This trend was attributed
to the observed reduction in void ratio from 0% to 40% replacement
after which the void ratio increased to 100% replacement. The
maximum UCS for the soil at varied A-3 soil replacement increased
from 272 and 770 kN/m2 for BSL and BSH compaction energy level
at 0% replacement to 295 and 795 kN/m2 for BSL and BSH
compaction energy level respectively at 10% replacement after which
the values reduced to 22 and 60 kN/m2 for BSL and BSH compaction
energy level respectively at 70% replacement. Beyond 70%
replacement, the mixtures could not be moulded for UCS test.
Abstract: People, throughout the history, have made estimates
and inferences about the future by using their past experiences.
Developing information technologies and the improvements in the
database management systems make it possible to extract useful
information from knowledge in hand for the strategic decisions.
Therefore, different methods have been developed. Data mining by
association rules learning is one of such methods. Apriori algorithm,
one of the well-known association rules learning algorithms, is not
commonly used in spatio-temporal data sets. However, it is possible
to embed time and space features into the data sets and make Apriori
algorithm a suitable data mining technique for learning spatiotemporal
association rules. Lake Van, the largest lake of Turkey, is a
closed basin. This feature causes the volume of the lake to increase or
decrease as a result of change in water amount it holds. In this study,
evaporation, humidity, lake altitude, amount of rainfall and
temperature parameters recorded in Lake Van region throughout the
years are used by the Apriori algorithm and a spatio-temporal data
mining application is developed to identify overflows and newlyformed
soil regions (underflows) occurring in the coastal parts of
Lake Van. Identifying possible reasons of overflows and underflows
may be used to alert the experts to take precautions and make the
necessary investments.
Abstract: This study, tries to suggest a design method based on
displacement using finite difference numerical modeling in
reinforcing soil retaining wall with steel strip. In this case, dynamic
loading characteristics such as duration, frequency, peak ground
acceleration, geometrical characteristics of reinforced soil structure
and type of the site are considered to correct the pseudo static method
and finally introduce the pseudo static coefficient as a function of
seismic performance level and peak ground acceleration. For this
purpose, the influence of dynamic loading characteristics,
reinforcement length, height of reinforced system and type of the site
are investigated on seismic behavior of reinforcing soil retaining wall
with steel strip. Numerical results illustrate that the seismic response
of this type of wall is highly dependent to cumulative absolute
velocity, maximum acceleration, and height and reinforcement length
so that the reinforcement length can be introduced as the main factor
in shape of failure. Considering the loading parameters, geometric parameters of the
wall and type of the site showed that the used method in this study
leads to efficient designs in comparison with other methods, which
are usually based on limit-equilibrium concept. The outputs show the
over-estimation of equilibrium design methods in comparison with
proposed displacement based methods here.
Abstract: Household waste form a larger proportion of waste
generated across the state, accumulation of organic waste is an
apparent problem and the existing dump sites could be overstress.
Niger state has abundant arable land and water resources thus should
be one of the highest producers of agricultural crops in the country.
However, the major challenge to agricultural sector today is loss of
soil nutrient coupled with high cost of fertilizer. These have
continued to increase the use of fertilizer and decomposed solid waste
for enhance agricultural yield, which have varying effects on the soil
as well a threat to human livelihood. Consequently, vegetable yield
samples from poultry droppings, decomposed household waste
manure, NPK treatments and control from each replication were
subjected to proximate analysis to determine the nutritional and antinutritional
component as well as heavy metal concentration. Data
collected was analyzed using SPSS software and Randomized
complete Block Design means were compared. The result shows that
the treatments do not devoid the concentrations of any nutritional
components while the anti-nutritional analysis proved that NPK had
higher oxalate content than control and organic treats. The
concentration of lead and cadmium are within safe permissible level
while the mercury level exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum
permissible limit for the entire treatments depicts the need for urgent
intervention to minimize mercury levels in soil and manure in order
to mitigate its toxic effect. Thus, eco-agriculture should be widely
accepted and promoted by the stakeholders for soil amendment,
higher yield, strategies for sustainable environmental protection, food
security, poverty eradication, attainment of sustainable development
and healthy livelihood.
Abstract: The need to save time and cost of soil testing at the
planning stage of road work has necessitated developing predictive
models. This study proposes a model for predicting the dry density of
lateritic soils stabilized with corn cob ash (CCA) and blended cement
- CCA. Lateritic soil was first stabilized with CCA at 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and
6% of the weight of soil and then stabilized with the same
proportions as replacement for cement. Dry density, specific gravity,
maximum degree of saturation and moisture content were determined
for each stabilized soil specimen, following standard procedure.
Polynomial equations containing alpha and beta parameters for CCA
and blended CCA-cement were developed. Experimental values were
correlated with the values predicted from the Matlab curve fitting
tool, and the Solver function of Microsoft Excel 2010. The correlation
coefficient (R2) of 0.86 was obtained indicating that the model could
be accepted in predicting the maximum dry density of CCA stabilized
soils to facilitate quick decision making in roadworks.
Abstract: The advancements in technology allow the
development of a new system that can continuously measure surface
soil erosion. Continuous soil erosion measurements are required in
order to comprehend the erosional processes and propose effective
and efficient conservation measures to mitigate surface erosion.
Mitigating soil erosion, especially in Mediterranean countries such as
Greece, is essential in order to maintain environmental and
agricultural sustainability. In this paper, we present the Automated
Soil Erosion Monitoring System (ASEMS) that measures surface soil
erosion along with other factors that impact erosional process.
Specifically, this system measures ground level changes (surface soil
erosion), rainfall, air temperature, soil temperature, and soil moisture.
Another important innovation is that the data will be collected by
remote communication. In addition, stakeholder’s awareness is a key
factor to help reduce any environmental problem. The different
dissemination activities that were utilized are described. The overall
outcomes were the development of a new innovative system that can
measure erosion very accurately. These data from the system help
study the process of erosion and find the best possible methods to
reduce erosion. The dissemination activities enhance the stakeholders
and public's awareness on surface soil erosion problems and will lead
to the adoption of more effective soil erosion conservation practices
in Greece.
Abstract: Our sowing date experiment took place in the
Demonstration Garden of Institution of Plant Sciences, Centre for
Agricultural Sciences of University of Debrecen, in 2012-2014. The
paper contains data of test year 2014. Our purpose, besides several
other examinations, was to observe how sowing date influences the
leaf area index and the activity of photosynthesis of maize hybrids,
and how those factors affect fruiting. In the experiment we monitored
the change of the leaf area index and the photosynthesis of hybrids
with four different growing seasons. The results obtained confirm
that not only the environmental and agricultural factors in the
growing season have effect on the yield, but also other factors like
the leaf area index and the photosynthesis are determinative
parameters, and all those factors together, modifying the effects of
each other, develop average yields.
Abstract: Rice Husk (RH) is the major byproduct in the
processing of paddy rice. The management of this waste has become
a big challenge to some of the rice producers, some of these wastes
are left in open dumps while some are burn in the open space, and
these two actions have been contributing to environmental pollution.
This study evaluates an alternative waste management of this
agricultural product for use as a civil engineering material. The RH
was burn in a controlled environment to form Rice Husk Ash (RHA).
The RHA was mix with lateritic clay at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%
proportion by weight. Chemical test was conducted on the open burn
and controlled burn RHA with the lateritic clay. Physical test such as
particle size distribution, Atterberg limits test, and density test were
carried out on the mix material. The chemical composition obtained
for the RHA showed that the total percentage compositions of Fe2O3,
SiO2 and Al2O3 were found to be above 70% (class “F” pozzolan)
which qualifies it as a very good pozzolan. The coefficient of
uniformity (Cu) was 8 and coefficient of curvature (Cc) was 2 for the
soil sample. The Plasticity Index (PI) for the 0, 2, 4, 6, 8. 10% was
21.0, 18.8, 16.7, 14.4, 12.4 and 10.7 respectively. The work
concluded that RHA can be effectively used in hydraulic barriers and
as a stabilizing agent in soil stabilization.
Abstract: Review of studies carried out on the use of bagasse
ash for the improvement of deficient soils in Nigeria, with emphasis
on lateritic and black cotton soils is presented. Although, the bagasse
ash is mostly used as additive to the conventional soil stabilizers
(cement and lime), the studies generally showed improvement in the
geotechnical properties of the soils, either modified or stabilized with
the ash. This showed the potentials of using this agricultural waste
(bagasse ash) in the improvement of geotechnical properties of
deficient soils, thus suggesting that using this material at large scale
level in geotechnical engineering practice could help in the provision
of stable and durable structures, reduce cost of soil improvement and
also reduces environmental nuisance caused by the unused waste in
Nigeria.