Geomechanical model simulation for the varied rock formations of the Kadana dam foundation,Gujarat, India

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Precambrian layered rocks consisting of quartzites, phyllites and metagreywackes of the Aravallis having a large variation in thickness,...     

Sorption of benzenesulfonates by weak base anion exchange resins

Weak base phenol formaldehyde anion exchange resins were found to have an excellent capacity for removing the anionic organic species benzenesulfonate (BS), p-toluenesulfonate (PTS) and dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) from pH 2 and 4 solutions. The capacity for DBS was generally greater than that of activated carbon and significantly greater than that of a polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin with no ion exchange functional groups. The maximum capacity of the weak base resins appeared to be limited by the exchange capacity of the resin. The mechanism of removal was strongly indicated as being either ion exchange at the amine functional groups in the acid form, or uptake of a proton by the amine groups in the free base form with the organic anion as the associated counter ion. Increasing concentrations of Cl⁻ decreased the amount of organic anion that could be sorbed.The swelling of one of the resins, Duolite A-7, also had a marked effect on its sorption capacity. The pores of the acid chloride or acid organic anion form of the resin were apparently larger than those of the free base form; thus, as conversion of the resin to the acid form took place, a greater amount of uptake was observed. The effect of swelling on the capacity of Duolite S-37 was much less, apparently owing to its larger pore structure, but its capacity for DBS at low pH was lower than that for A-7 because of its lower nitrogen content. Also, BS and DBS were easily removed from the weak base resins by washing them with NaOH. Four bed volumes of 1 m NaOH gave essentially complete regeneration of BS saturated A-7.     

Dynamic analysis and optimal feedback control synthesis applied to biological waste treatment

The dynamics and optimal feedback control of biological waste treatment processes are examined. Modern feedback control theory is applied and results are obtained for both proportional and proportional plus integral control. A dynamic mathematical model of the system is developed by employing a Monod kinetic model, which is modified to account for endogenous metabolism, and a complete mixing flow model in the growth chamber. The feedback control is implemented via the flow rate so as to maintain desired effluent concentrations. External disturbances which cause changes in substrate concentration and/or cell concentration are considered and optimal control effort is applied. Results are also presented for impulse and step changes in the influent substrate concentration. It is found that by changing the values of the weighting factors in the objective function, it is possible to obtain good control of either the effluent substrate concentration or cell concentration.     

Toxicity bioassay of heavy metals in water using Tetrahymena pyriformis

The toxicities of five heavy metal compounds on the survival of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis were determined. Three-day old cultured cells were exposed to five concentrations of each test compound in one or more of three water series; distilled, soft, and hard water. A culture of each sample was placed in a plastic petri dish and covered with mineral oil to prevent evaporation. The cells were counted initially, then again at 0·5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, and on the fourth day. Lethal threshold concentrations and tolerance limit medians were determined by graphic methods. On a weight bases cadmium was most toxic, followed in decreasing toxicity by mercury, cobalt, zinc, and lead. Compared to similar fish data, all heavy metals were more toxic to T. pyriformis except lead. The toxicity of lead in soft versus hard water exemplified an antagonistic effect with greater than seven times the amount of lead necessary in hard water to produce comparable mortality as lead in soft water. On the other hand, the toxicity of mercury is about twice as great in hard water as in soft water (a synergistic effect). T. pyriformis appears to be a more sensitive indicator than fish of heavy metal contamination of water. T. pyriformis bioassay should prove a good means of determining the existence of many water pollutants.     

Classic and novel brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in common sole (Solea solea L.) from main nursery zones along the French coasts

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were investigated in juvenile common sole from nursery zones situated along the French coast in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Extensive identification was performed with regard to PBDEs, novel BFRs 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), and other non-PBDE BFRs, namely, hexabromobenzene (HBB) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153). Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations (Σ 14 congeners) ranged from 0.01 ng/g to 0.16 ng/g wet weight (ww) in muscle, and 0.07 ng/g to 2.8 ng/g ww in liver. Concentrations were in the lower range of those reported in the literature in other European locations. Lower PBDE concentrations, condition indices and lipid contents were observed in the Seine estuary in 2009, possibly in relation to a lower water flow. The PBDE patterns and ratios we observed suggested that juvenile sole have a relative high metabolic degradation capacity. Non-PBDE BFRs were detected at lower levels than PBDEs, i.e., within the < method detection limit - 0.005 ng/g ww range in muscle, and < method detection limit - 0.2 ng/g ww range in liver. The data obtained is of particular interest for the future monitoring of these compounds in the environment.     

Orientation of smoke production in polyacrylonitrile

The introduction of ionic additives, such as KCN, or acidic comonomer units, such as methacrylic acid, which change the nature of the mechanism of nitrile oligomerization reaction from radical to ionic and cause its initiation at lower temperature, allows the level of obscurity and the total amount of smoke production, both in smouldering and flaming conditions to be decreased. An opposite result is obtained if diphenylpicrylhydrayl (DPPH) radicals in polyacrylonitrile is introduced; DPPH retards the initiation of the radical nitrile oligomerization reaction. The acrylonitrile-methacrylic acid copolymers have a limiting oxygen index, which increases with the methacrylic acid content. Owing to the increased amount of NH₃ produced during pyrolysis, the copolymers have a swelling behavior during the combustion test.     

Results of evaluation of the strength of concrete placed in the shafts of cast-in-place piles

Conclusions 1. Application of the method of underwater concreting with the use of a container is inexpedient in connection with the presence of a large number of flaws detected in the shafts of cast-in-place piles formed by this method; concreting of holes by the VAT method is preferable.2. The strength of concrete in the shafts of cast-in-place piles increases, reaching a maximum at a depth of 0.4–0.5 the length of the shaft. Variation in strength along the shaft is explained primarily by the percentage of coarse aggregate contained in the concrete.3. The quality of pile concrete should be monitored during all stages of pile installation, and, primarily during the stage of concreting, i.e., when there is a chance of correcting an observed defect.All-Union Institute for the Design and Planning of Health Resorts. Scientific-Research Institute of Foundations and Underground Structures. Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 5, pp. 14–17, September–October, 1976.     

A box beam finite element for the elastic analysis of thin-walled structures

The purpose of this paper is to present a formulation of a curved thin-walled box beam finite element having a variable cross-section with at least one vertical axis of symmetry.

To allow for the effects of warping and distortion, three degrees of freedom have been included in the formulation. These degrees of freedom have been designated as the rate of change of twisting angle, the distortional angle of the cross-section, and the rate of change of distortional angle. The effect of shear lag has also been included.

The element may be used for the elastic analysis of a variety of thin-walled structures and in particular for the preliminary analysis of box bridge decks where a three-dimensional analysis may be unnecessary. The accuracy of the element has been demonstrated by comparison of the results obtained with known results from other methods for some examples.     

A colorimetric method for ammonia in natural waters

An improved phenol-hypochlorite method for determining ammonia in water using nitroprusside as catalyst has been investigated. Unlike other recently published methods, the method is simple (and sufficiently sensitive for low-level analyses) and does not require accurate time intervals between reagents, not expensive equipment. The method is well suited for routine use.

Beer's Law was obeyed over the whole ammonia range investigated. Reproducibility was 1·3 per cent with 10 μg N, and 5·7 per cent with 1 μg N.     

Studies on oxidation of benzo [a] pyrene by sunlight and ozone

The destruction of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by light is well known; laboratory workers are routinely advised to cover fluorescent lamps with yellow filters while treating samples containing BaP. However until recently the mechanism of oxidation by sunlight and ozone had not been studied in detail. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene in urban air are in the range of 5–10 μg/1000 m³. Oxidant concentrations (predominantly in the form of ozone) are reported to be in the range of 0.01 ppm (22 μg per m³). Thus a sampling system with a filter paper would filter about 22,000 μg of ozone passing through and collect about 5 μg of BaP for analysis. The effect of interactions of such large ozone concentrations with BaP deposited on the filter paper is reported; data for the oxidation rates for benzo[a]pyrene coated on quartz surface and exposed to ozone or sunlight are presented. The oxidation products were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and highpressure liquid chromatography. From about eight products detected in these experiments, three have been identified as quinones based on UV-absorption spectrometry and mass spectrometry. Oxidation rates as high as 100% per hour of exposure are observed when less than 0.1 μg of BaP is coated inside the quartz tubes and exposed to ozone or sunlight. Oxidation rates for benzo[a]pyrene (using tritiated BaP) were determined for two types of experimental conditions. In the first set, tritiated BaP was spotted onto a glass fibre paper and sampling continued for 24 h; the loss of BaP was found to be 88%. In the second set tritiated BaP was spotted at intervals of one hour, for eight hours, while sampling is being carried out and the loss of BaP during the period was estimated to be 50%.