Characterization of Flaring and Non-Flaring Container Filled Votive Candles

Authors were provided two sets of 24 exemplar candles. Of these, 24 were identified as the same that the provider had observed “flaring”. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of the material showed that the candles that did not flare were soy based wax and that those that did flare were petroleum based wax. Burning the candles showed that melted wax in some petroleum based candles was ignited by the wick flame and produced a pool fire inside the candles’ glass container. Based on measured mass loss rate and the heat of combustion of petroleum based wax, the calculated power output of a normal burning candle is ca. 30 W. When the liquid wax pool ignited, the output was ca. 230 W, with significant flame extension above the top edge of candle’s glass container. The FTIR analysis also showed that twelve of the petroleum based wax candles had a simple hydroxyl compound, likely an alcohol, peak that was not present in the second sample of one dozen petroleum based wax candles. Burn testing showed that the candles from the sample with hydroxyl ignite a pool fire after burning for 15 to 30 min; the second sample of petroleum based wax candles, those that did not have the hydroxyl compound, did not ignite a pool fire. This suggests that the hydroxyl compound reduces the flashpoint of the wax to an ignition temperature attained after burning the candle for tens of minutes. Once the hydroxyl compound petroleum based wax melts and reaches a temperature above its flashpoint/flame point, it vaporizes sufficiently to be ignited, with flame extension of 152 mm (6 in) or more above the wax pool. This flame extension or “flaring” represents a significant fire hazard in that it may ignite nearby combustibles or fracture the candle’s glass container and release burning wax.     

Double quarries—Grade and artificial hard aggregates

The article deals with an interesting quarry in NW Slovenia, Yugoslavia, which exploits two kinds of rock at the same time: quartz keratophyre at the bottom and dolomite at the top, both of them of mid-Triassic age. Both rocks are processed in the same screening plant as aggregates for bitumen and cement concretes. Explorations for quartz keratophyre with tuffs started in 1966 for wearing courses of motorways. As such rocks are relatively few in Slovenia, and also in Yugoslavia, high grade carbonate aggregates were also proposed for less exacting roads and for lower layers of motorways. In the meanwhile, also artificial aggregates made from basic slags from ironworks were investigated. Good quality was ascertained and confirmed by a survey in use on a road.     

The extent and effects of mass wasting in Ghana

Mass wasting in most of its forms have been studied throughout Ghana. The studies covered extent, distribution, effect, and possible corrective measures of slope failures. The performance of a number of slopes have been monitored for long periods and results have served as a basis for re-examination of existing design criteria in Ghana. Back, analysis of one major failure has been performed to obtain velocity and reach of a landslide. From, damage to farms, timber and a road from landslide in one instance, a projection is made to obtain the economic significance of landslides in Ghana. From the mode of failure in one specific case a methodology for corrective measures has been proposed.     

A technical basis for regional aggregates policies

The planning system in England and Wales, the scale of the aggregates industry, and problems due to high levels of demand for aggregates are briefly outlined. A planning policy initiative to solve the problems is described. The information base required for preparation of these Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England and Wales, and the scope of research commissioned by the Department of the Environment in support of work on aggregates policy are reviewed.     

An unusual foundation for an arch dam in mauritania

Between the years of 1981 and 1983 a 45 metres high arch dam was constructed for irrigation purposes at the Gorgol-Noir, a tributary of the Senegal River, in the semi-desert zone of southern Mauritania (Sahel). North of the city of M'bout the Gorgol-Noir erodes through a range of Precambrian metamorphic quartz-schists, trending north to south. The paper describes the investigations—engineering geological and the rock mechanics—undertaken in the course of the design and construction of the dam. Of particular importance were cavities located on the valley sides, proved to be related to shale intercalations.     

Legislation and administration of inground waste disposal in new South Wales and Victoria,Australia

Legislation and administration of waste disposal is primarily a State and Local Government responsibility in Australia. The legal and environmental principles that form the base of present and possibly future legislation and administration are described. Some problems are discussed and in particular that of legal retro-responsibility for wastes. New South Wales and Victoria have different legislative and administrative systems. Both are complex with many overlapping Acts. The role of the recently implemented Environment Planning and Assessment Act (1979) on siting waste facilities in N.S.W. in discussed. Control of disposal in Victoria is decentralized whereas in N.S.W. management is focussed in the Metropolitan Waste Disposal Authority.     

Geotechnical investigations for the selection of a hammer foundation on a highly weathered gneissic rock in ghana

A geotechnical investigation comprising percussion drilled boheroles and trial pits and field and laboratory index engineering tests were carried out in a highly weathered gneissic rock in Tema-Ghana. On the basis of this investigation, a DEEP BLOCK FOUNDATION was selected for a hammer in a forging factory. The effect of embedded foundations on vibrations has been highlighted in the paper. Computation of settlements of the selected foundation and that of the other structures could not be discussed in detail due to the lack of technical data relating to the actual hammer to be used.     

Development of materials specifications and emplacement procedures for backfilling nuclear fuel waste vaults

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Ontario Hydro are conducting a research program to assess the environmental impact and safety of the concept of disposal of nuclear fuel waste in an underground vault in plutonic rock of the Canadian Shield. The Vault Sealing Program, one of the components of the Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program, is concerned with the development of materials specifications and emplacement procedures for backfilling the vault. Backfilling materials would surround the nuclear waste containers and fill all vault openings to minimize leaching and movement of radionuclides. This paper presents the procedure followed to select candidate backfill materials, the integration of mathematical modelling studies and physical testing for the definition of materials specifications, and the principal elements of the recommended handling and emplacement systems.     

Enhancement of fire protection with directional cooling spray nozzles by use of AFFF

This paper will describe the work done and results of the study to characterize various directional cooling spray nozzles when used with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Agents.     

Phylogenetic diversity of aqueous microorganisms separated after the advanced tertiary of tap water

The species composition of bacterial community of the drinking tap water and water samples taken at different purification stages of the water conditioning plant at an enterprise producing special drinks has been analyzed. This study involves the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and the use of molecular biology methods based on the phylogenetic analysis. The following bacterial species were identified: Bacillus nanhaiensis, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis. All the studied strains belong to phylum Firmicutes, class Bacilli representing Gram-positive microorganisms that are not pathogenic to human. The presence of the bacteria investigated in different habitats such as the drinking chlorinated water, in the presence of stress factors (arid climate, high or low temperatures, depleted soil, and the occurrence of disinfectants) indicates their ability to easily adapt to new living conditions expanding their habitat.     

Prediction of aggregate and pavement polishing

Pavement life is determined by structural performance and degradation of the properties controlling wet friction between tires and pavement. Expulsion of the water from the interface is controlled by aggregate size, binder and mix design. Friction develops where most of the water has been displaced and depends on aggregate microtexture. Traffic reduces this fine texture, but the polishing is not a simple, continuous process. During certain periods the process reverses. Dust and other contaminants further complicate the process. Laboratory machines and procedures are described, which attempt to duplicate the process. Results are presented and the utility of the procedures for pavement management systems is discussed.     

Dilemmatic experiences of young migrants in Accra,Ghana: The merciless hands of pirate urbanization and landlordism

The general pattern of internal migration in Ghana has been north to south. While a number of studies have focused on the vulnerabilities and urban problems associated with this pattern, the dynamics of internal migration with emphasis on young people in a slum setting have not been explored. To accomplish the goal of understanding the dynamics of internal migration among young people from the north of Ghana to Old Fadama, an Accra slum in the south, two specific objectives have been pursued. First, I explore the housing and environmental stressors encountered by young migrants at the destination and their proposed strategies to deal with these stressors and second, I explain how government policies are lagging behind to deal with these stressors. I use insights from the concepts of pirate urbanization and landlordism to show that substandard structures and the monetization of equity (property) among the relatively more privileged in the slum exacerbate the predicaments of these migrants. Drawing on the concepts of sovereign power and non-sovereign power, I suggest that lessons from the elements of these concepts (such as ethnic net-like organizations and governmental agencies) provide entry points for programmatic and policy directions aimed toward these young migrants in a high-risk environment. I use a mixed-methods approach to examine the objectives of this work. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with young migrants (aged 10–29) in Old Fadama. I find that the major stressors faced by these young people include poor shelter, lack of sanitation, poor health outcomes, and human right violations, and these are exacerbated by the privatization of squatting.     

Laboratory testing of pile fabrics — A proposed flammability standard

At the request of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Bureau of Standards developed a proposed standard for the flammability of upholstered furniture. This paper briefly describes the proposed standard and its history, and examines the performance of pile fabrics tested at the University of Washington Textile Laboratories in accordance with the provisions of the proposed standard.     

A Regionally-Applicable model of union growth: Comment

This paper criticizes the approach used by M. Snowbarger in “A Regionally-Applicable Model for the Study of the Growth of Organized Labor,” The Annals of Regional Science, February, 1974. It is argued that the division of union membership change into “product-market” and “factor-market” effects has serious conceptual flaws, as well as using a special case of decomposition of change in a weighted aggregate, so that unambiguous partitioning of total change is impossible.     

Caractérisation minéralogique et géotechnique des argiles marneuses gonflantes de la région de Médéa,Algérie

This paper presents the approach followed for the geological, mineralogical, and geotechnical characterization of swelling marly clays in the Médéa region. This investigation is conducted in order to estimate the swelling potential of this marly clay layer. The studied sites, located at about 80 km south of Algiers, Algeria, cover an area of approximatively 400 hectares. Five sites are considered. In the first step, the geological, tectonic, climatic, and hydrological contexts of the region are described. According to the geological map of Médéa, most of the formations encountered in the area are composed of Miocene layers represented by marly clays (Fig. 2). This region is characterized by its high and low temperature in summer and winter, respectively, and variable humidity (Fig. 3). In a second step, the results of geotechnical studies, X-ray diffraction tests, chemical analyses, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations are presented (Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The soils contain quartz (20–26 %), calcium carbonates (11–55 %), kaolinite (8–13 %), illite (6–14 %) and Montmorillonite (18–26 %). The study of their microstructure by means of SEM indicates that these soils are formed by a compact marly clay matrix that is relatively homogeneous and oriented in the dip direction of bedding. A grain size analysis shows that the clay content varies between 17 and 70 %. The water content of all samples varies between 8 and 30 %. The values of the liquidity limit (LL) and plasticity index (PI) vary between 28–76 % and 16–36 % respectively, indicating a highly plastic soil; this is also confirmed by a specific surface varying between 99 and 179 m²/g. The dry density γ _d varies between 15 and 19 kN/m³. The swelling potential of the marly clay samples is evaluated firstly using various indirect methods. In literature, a number of empirical classifications are proposed by different authors (BRE 1980; Chen 1988; Komornik and David 1969; Seed et al. 1962; Snethen 1984; Vijayvergiya et Ghazzaly 1973 et Williams and Donaldson 1980). The swelling potential is related to certain physical properties of soils, such as consistency limits, clay content, methylene blue value, etc. In general, these methods indicate that all the tested soils have a high swelling potential, which confirms the results of mineralogical analysis. Secondly, direct measurements of swelling parameters are performed. Swelling tests are carried out using a standard slaved one-dimensional odometer using two methods: free swell and constant volume, according to standard ASTM D 4546-90 and AFNOR (1995). The swell pressure, the swell percentage and the swell index are given in Fig. 16. It is noted that the soils develop very significant swell pressures which vary between 25 and 900 kPa. This is in agreement with the results obtained by empirical methods. This investigation clearly shows that the marly clays of the Médéa region have a high swelling potential. Therefore, taking into account the phenomenon of soil swelling in structure design is essential.     

The Importance of Autopsy and Injury Data in the Investigation of Fires

Autopsy and injury data from victims of fire may provide the investigator with important, discriminant, scientific evidence to assist in origin and cause determination. Through the combined use of fire testing, fire modeling, and physiological modeling, the fire investigator may be able to test or further validate their origin and cause hypothesis(es), and other aspects of a fire incident based on the facts of the case and data collected during autopsy or hospital evaluation. As demonstrated in the case study, autopsy data was compared against carbon monoxide concentrations and temperature profiles for two competing origin and cause hypotheses. Only one of the fire scenarios produced toxicant doses and thermal conditions consistent with the victim’s injuries. Hence, the evaluation of autopsy data in combination with the facts of the case and dynamics of the fire assisted in origin and cause determination.     

Contribution à l’étude du mouvement de terrain de la ville de Tigzirt (Algérie)

This article is a contribution to the study of the causes, characterization, and numerical modeling, using finite elements, of the landslide affecting the coastal slope at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea near the city center of Tigzirt (Algeria). This slope is characterized by a relatively low inclination (13°–15°) and composed of two main geological formations (marly bedrock overlain by recent Quaternary deposits). Several factors have acted jointly and explain the activity of Tigzirt landslide: it is the effect of geological, morphological, and hydrogeological site contexts combined to triggering factors of various origins (human, climatic, and seismic). The landslide is characterized by a planar failure surface, which involves a global translational deformation towards the sea.