Site Conditions Research Articles

VISUAL TREE ASSESSMENT AND ESTIMATION OF TREE CARBON SEQUESTRATION FOR OUTDOOR STUDENT CENTRE

Environmental assessment is crucial for every project development, especially when the space is surrounded by many mature trees. Failing to understand the existing character and conditions of the site can result in design failures that may lead to the loss of ecosystem benefits. Many developments are constructed without consulting experts, leading to unstructured development. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the potential of a proposed outdoor space towards a better teaching and learning environment. This study analyses Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) and estimates the carbon sequestration of trees using qualitative and quantitative data. The objectives are to create a topographic layout map by assessing site conditions, examining tree species and their condition through limited VTA, and estimating the net carbon sequestration of the on-site trees. 59 trees were analysed, and a map was developed for overlay purposes. A composite map illustrates the correlation of comfort, movement, aesthetics, and social relations criteria for the Outdoor Student Centres. In conclusion, 82% of Pongamia pinnata trees are deemed unsuitable for the site and may be considered for removal for OSC development. The site's net tree carbon sequestration is estimated to sequester a minimum of 611 kg of carbon. Effective site planning is a crucial factor in this process to ensure optimal outcomes.

Project Acceleration Analysis Using the Crashing Method with The Alternative of Additional Labor and Additional Working Hours in Drainage Work

Project work delays often occur due to differences in site conditions, design changes, weather influences, and planning errors. The problem faced is the project duration, where if the project duration is accelerated or crashes, there will be several options to cut the project duration. This is the problem that becomes the topic of the thesis/journal, namely "Analysis of Project Acceleration with the Crashing Method with Alternatives for Adding Manpower and Additional Working Hours in Drainage Works". The author uses the primary method, with sources of RAB, Time Schedule, working drawings and analysis of city unit prices. As well as secondary research methods with sources, from relevant books, and project data such as price lists and wages. From the results of the study it can be concluded that the total wages of workers under normal conditions is IDR. 16,864,000.00 with the duration of project work for 30 working days. From the results of the analysis in this study, the total wages of workers with alternative labor additions of IDR. 19,672,000.00 with the duration of project construction work for 25 working days or 15.15% faster than the normal duration. Meanwhile, the total wage for workers with the alternative of additional working hours (overtime) is IDR. 25,052,300.00 with the duration of the project construction work for 25 working days or 15.15% faster than the normal duration. A more economical alternative to completing the project is the addition of manpower because it saves IDR. 2,228,000.00 from additional working hours (overtime), from normal wages.

Passive revegetation limited by seed availability in a salt marsh sediment addition site

Many approaches to restoring salt marsh habitats assume flora will naturally colonize the restoration site following the reinstatement of tidal hydrology that is appropriate for halophytes. However, this passive strategy can fail to meet restoration targets because of unfavorable site conditions and/or limited propagule dispersal. This study analyzes propagule availability in a restored southern California salt marsh that experienced slow passive revegetation following sediment addition to combat subsidence‐driven habitat loss. We performed a seedling emergence experiment to assess the quantity and species composition of viable halophyte seeds in the restoration site compared to nearby established salt marsh habitat. Additionally, we irrigated seed bank samples with freshwater or saltwater to test the effects of restoration site salinity conditions on seedling emergence and survival. Due to the proximity of the restoration site to seed sources, we expected to find ample seeds within its seed bank. However, only two seedlings emerged from restoration site seed bank samples (collected over 1.18 m2 of soil surface area), compared to an average of 44.33 seedlings from control site samples. Control site samples receiving saltwater irrigation had similar quantities of seedlings emerge, but seedlings in salt water had a reduced survival rate compared to seedlings in the freshwater treatment. Overall, these results suggest that passive restoration should be paired with techniques that retain seeds, such as increasing the topographic complexity of the restoration site. However, in scenarios where salinity or elevation may limit seedling recruitment, active planting should be considered to speed restoration trajectories.

Acoustic emission failure detection and localisation in historic fibrous plaster ceiling

Fibrous plaster (FP) is a composite material that has been used for suspended decorative ceilings in historical buildings since the late 19th century. Such ceilings are susceptible to failures, particularly in hard-to-access structural hangers (‘wads’). Due to a limited understanding of structural behaviour of FP ceilings, maintenance and reconstruction decisions are based on visual and tactile inspections. Such inspections are costly, intrusive and ultimately subjective. Non-destructive techniques are needed to detect and localise failures in FP ceilings. An Acoustic Emission system was recently developed to detect and localise damage sources in FP ceilings. The method processes data from AE sensor clusters with one-dimensional convolutional neural networks(1D-CNNs) trained to account for wave propagation anisotropy. This paper presents a case study conducted at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) building in London (UK) to validate the method. The results confirm the ability of the method to localise failures under real site conditions in 450 mm-by-450 mm monitoring areas. The method may enable non-intrusive detection of failures from the underside of ceilings during periodic inspections. The possibility of conducting pre-training in laboratories and covering large monitoring areas up to 1500mm-by-1500mm is established and may facilitate practical applications in the future.

Ground failures and foundation performances in Adıyaman–Gölbaşı following the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş–Türkiye Earthquake Sequence

The 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş–Türkiye earthquake sequence (M7.8 and M7.6) presents an exceptional opportunity to investigate both the effects of local soil conditions on damage patterns under strong shaking conditions and the performance of building foundations in areas that experienced ground failure. The significant ground failure and structural damage in Adıyaman–Gölbaşı triggered an intensive series of detailed reconnaissance and field surveys. This article aims to present the resulting database of observations on ground failures, building, and foundation performances. The field reconnaissance of ground failures and their effects on building performances involved aerial and walk-down surveys, including high-quality photographs taken across the town. In addition, data on building damage statistics compiled by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change were accessed and analyzed. The subsurface characteristics of the town were characterized using available data from pre-earthquake site investigation campaigns employed for town planning purposes. It is concluded that the ground failures in the town primarily resulted from soil liquefaction and cyclic softening. Most of the poor building and foundation performances and ground failures were documented in the northern part of Atatürk Boulevard, closer to the lake of Gölbaşı, where soil site characteristics were unfavorable. This revealed once again the significant effects of local soil site conditions, particularly soil liquefaction, on the intensified ground failures, foundation, and structural damage levels.

Site conditions rather than provenance drive tree growth, climate sensitivity and drought responses in European beech in Germany

Ongoing climate change and associated extreme events strongly impact the growth and vitality of forest ecosystems in Europe. Because of its’ high drought sensitivity, European beech, which is considered as climax tree species in large parts of Central Europe, may specifically suffer. Hence, recent studies increasingly focus on the resistance and resilience of beech growth to climate change. Intra-specific variations in growth responses by comparing different beech provenances, however, received less attention, as did the question whether provenance selection can be used to mitigate potential future negative impacts of climate change. Therefore, we here investigated 24 provenances belonging to the International Beech Provenance Trial growing at three sites in Germany along a latitudinal gradient (study sites are referred to as ’North’, ‘Center’, ‘South’). Specifically, we compared tree-ring width (TRW), diameter breast height (DBH), climate-growth relationships, as well as drought resistance and resilience in the extreme years 2003 and 2018. Large differences in growth performance were observed between the three study sites. At site North, beech trees showed the highest DBH and TRW. Tree growth was predominantly driven by previous-year October and current-year winter temperature, whereas growth at sites Center and South was significantly impacted by summer SPEI and constrained by precipitation in late winter and early June, respectively. Overall, drought responses in 2003 were less variable than in 2018. We found increasing resistance and decreasing resilience from the wetter North to the drier South, but with minimal differences between the Center and the South. Whereas differences between study sites were large, provenance differentiation within sites was comparably low, substantiating that beech is a highly plastic tree species. Even though some provenances were found to perform slightly better or worse, differences were not statistically significant and show unclear patterns. Hence, we conclude that climate change will affect beech forests in Europe mainly depending upon site conditions, and that provenance selection may not ensure superior growth performance.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Electrochemical Sensing: The Effect of Inhomogeneous Binding Sites on the Measurements. A Comparison between Imprinted Polyaniline versus nanoMIP-Doped Polyaniline Electrodes for the EIS Detection of 17β-Estradiol.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors made by template-assisted synthesis. MIPs might be ideal receptors for sensing devices, given the possibility to custom-design selectivity and affinity toward a targeted analyte and their robustness and ability to withstand harsh conditions. However, the synthesis of MIP is an inherently random process that produces a statistical distribution of binding sites, characterized by a variety of affinities. This is verified both for bulk MIP materials and for MIP's thin layers. In the present work, we aimed at assessing the effects of inhomogeneous versus homogeneous imprinted binding sites on electrochemical sensing measurements, and the possible implications on the sensor's performance. In the example of an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) sensor for the 17β-estradiol (E2) hormone, the scenario of inhomogeneous binding sites was studied by modifying electrodes with an E2-MIP polyaniline (PANI) thin layer, called the "Imprinted PANI layer". In contrast, the condition of discrete and uniform binding sites was epitomized by electrodes modified with a thin PANI layer purposedly doped with E2-MIP nanoparticles (nanoMIPs), which were referred to as "nanoMIP-doped PANI". The behaviors of the two EIS sensors were compared. Interestingly, the sensitivity of the nanoMIP-doped PANI was almost twice with respect to that of the imprinted PANI layer, strongly suggesting that the homogeneity of the binding sites has a fundamental role in the sensor's development. The nanoMIP-doped PANI sensor, which showed a response for E2 in the range 36.7 pM-36.7 nM and had a limit of detection of 2.86 pg/mL, was used to determine E2 in wastewater.

Mining of adverse event signals associated with inclisiran: a post-marketing analysis based on FAERS

ABSTRACT Background This study analyzed adverse events (AE) associated with inclisiran using the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to detect and characterize relevant safety signals. Methods We retrospectively extracted AE reports from the FAERS database spanning Q1 2022 to Q2 2024. Four disproportionality analysis algorithms were employed to identify AE signals for inclisiran, with subsequent comparisons made to PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab/evolocumab). Additionally, we examined the characteristics and onset timing of inclisiran-related AE Results A total of 4,122 reports of inclisiran as the ‘primary suspected.’ Compared with all other drugs, the most significant system organ classe (SOC) was ‘musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders’ (ROR = 3.64, PRR = 3.19) and the most common SOC was ‘general disorders and administration site conditions’ (n = 2,769). And these two SOCs were more strongly with inclisiran than evolocumab. At the preferred term (PT) level, strong signals were detected for cellulitis gangrenous (ROR 101.29, PRR 101.27, IC 6.54, EBGM 92.91), bladder discomfort (ROR 12.61, PRR 12.61, IC 3.64, EBGM 12.48). The median onset time for inclisiran-related AEs was 43 days (interquartile range: 7–99 days). Conclusions This study enhances our understanding of AEs to inclisiran. Future research on its long-term real-world use will offer further insights into its safety.

PENERAPAN ARSITEKTUR MODEREN RUSTIC PADA PERANCANGAN RESTORAN DAN BUTIK DI SAMARINDA

The development of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan has been a significant catalyst for economic growth and lifestyle changes in surrounding areas, including the city of Samarinda. The increasing awareness of modern lifestyles and the desire for new experiences has led Samarinda's consumers to seek out places that not only provide products or food but also offer a comfortable atmosphere and visually appealing aesthetics. The objective of this research is to develop a design concept for a commercial building that combines two functions: a restaurant and a boutique, using a modern rustic style as a response to this trend. This study employs a qualitative analysis method, combining the results of literature reviews, field surveys, internet studies, and comparative studies of similar buildings, aiming to identify the unique characteristics of modern rustic architecture that suit the needs of building users, functionality, and site conditions. The site is determined through an analysis of several alternative sites. The results of this analysis are a design concept for a restaurant and boutique building with a modern rustic architectural style, evident in both the building's facade and interior. The design concept produced in this research is a unique blend of modern, clean lines and the warmth of rustic materials, resulting in a visually and functionally aesthetic space.

Investigating diverse photogrammetric techniques in the hazard assessment of historical sites of the Museum of the Coal Basin Area in Będzin, Poland

Abstract Assessing the condition of historical sites at risk requires an interdisciplinary approach based on combining multiple measurement technologies. Due to the dynamic development of technology, non-invasive remote sensing methods are gaining significant importance. Among these techniques is photogrammetry based on images taken from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and those taken with a smartphone. In the study, the authors specified the possibilities and limitations of using remote photogrammetric methods to build accurate digital models of the walls of historic buildings with cracks in them. Point clouds, TIN grids, and façade orthophotos were examined. Statistical analysis was used to determine the repeatability of the data. Two parameters were identified that affect the accuracy of the data: the first – the direction of the segment between two points in the façade plane, and the second – the distance of the segment between two points in the plane of the façade. The study showed that the average accuracy of crack width measurements on the data acquired with the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK is 1 mm. Testing of crack width measurements using a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE smartphone showed an average absolute error of 0.24 mm. Based on the results, it was concluded that the imagesacquired using mobile devices can be used to determine changes in crack widths on walls.

Exploring the effects of the assisted transfer of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances in the Romanian Carpathians

The genetic inheritance of a tree species is fully expressed in the phenotype only when its ecological requirements are accomplished. Therefore, genetic tests provide the opportunity to simulate the change in the environment and determine the most suitable site conditions for specific populations. In light of the unpredictable climate conditions resulting from rapid environmental changes, the current study investigated possible signs of adaptation and productivity of European beech in the Romanian Carpathian region. For this purpose, the tree growth and stability performances, as well as the transfer effect, were examined in 17 international beech provenances tested in two different environments for 27 years. Growth and stability performances were evaluated using tree height (Th), breast height diameter (DBH), and survival (S). In the case of the transfer analyses, the ecodistance approach was applied. According to the results, the average of S was 13% higher in the Carbunari provenance trial, and DBH was higher in the Sacele trial by 15%, while no noticeable differences were registered for Th. The best-performing provenances were those originating from similar site conditions to the Romanian test sites, and the transfer function detected the sensitivity of beech provenances to increasing temperature. The general transfer response of provenances revealed a similar performance across sites and suggested that provenances exhibited adaptation and acclimation to the test environments from Romanian Carpathians.

Dependence of horizontal PGA prediction on site conditions at critically short hypocentral distances: an analysis based on Japanese strong motion data

A fundamental element in seismic hazard assessment studies is the prediction of maximum values of ground accelerations. This is achieved through an attenuation relationship, also known as the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE). Seismic design of structures generally assumes the occurrence of a large earthquake on a nearby fault. The predictions from the GMPE are linked to the magnitude, distance, and local site conditions. Critical near‑fault ground motions have unique characteristics such as magnitude saturation and distance saturation. To investigate the impact of local site conditions in the near‑fault region, we analyzed the attenuation relations using the accelerations recorded in Japan by the Kiban Kyoshin network (KiK‑net) from 2000 to 2023. All events with a magnitude equal to or greater than 5.5, and with focal depth and epicentral distance less than 20 km, were considered. In this study, the hypocentral distance ranges from 5 to 23 km. Ordinary least squares regression analysis was conducted for the maximum horizontal vector of ground accelerations. The attenuation relation coefficients for horizontal vector peak ground acceleration were estimated using an effective distance and saturation effect. An additional independent term, the average shear wave velocity of the soil to a depth of 30 meters below the ground surface, and more cost‑effective shallower depths were included in the regression model. The analysis revealed that the site condition is statistically non‑significant at very short hypocentral distances of less than 23 kilometers.

Factors affecting early red oak (Quercus rubra L.) regeneration near its northern distribution limit in Quebec

Red oak is an important species within the North American landscape, with climate change projections indicating a potential northward shift in its distribution. However, understanding the factors influencing its regeneration success at the northern limit remains limited. Site conditions and seed provenance adaptability may play critical roles. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a seed transfer study in two northern red oak stands in Quebec. We firstly investigated stand regeneration history through dendrochronological characterization. Then, we monitored the survival and growth of saplings for four red oak provenances across a south-to-north gradient in field and greenhouse settings, with varying soil nutrient levels due to fertilization, and with or without protection from large herbivores. Results indicated that stands have similar age structures with red oak establishment coinciding with the last major fire disturbance in the early 1920s. However, tree species composition and density differed, suggesting differences in fire disturbance regime or ecological succession status prior to fire. Site had the largest influence on red oak regeneration, with the highest tree density and soil water availability site exhibiting a 29% higher survival rate. Protection against large herbivores also significantly impacted red oak seedling performance, leading to a 16% higher survival rate. Germination, survival and growth also significantly differed between provenances. The local (northernmost) provenance exhibited the poorest overall performance with 28 to 42% lower germination, survival and growth rates, while the two southernmost provenances exhibited superior germination and sprout survival. An increase in soil nutrient availability was beneficial to red oak in the greenhouse, but only marginally benefited survival and growth in the field, suggesting that this factor is of less importance than other factors (e.g., water and light availability) for red oak early regeneration. The findings of this study suggest that silvicultural efforts to favor red oak should focus on site and provenance selection, and that water availability is currently limiting red oak regeneration success at acorn and early seedling life stages (i.e., 1 year old seedlings) near its northern distribution limit.

Growing at the arid edge: Anatomical variations in leaves are more extensive than in stems of five Mediterranean species across contrasting moisture regimes.

Increasing aridity in the Mediterranean region affects ecosystems and plant life. Various anatomical changes in plants help them cope with dry conditions. This study focused on anatomical differences in leaves and xylem of five co-occurring Mediterranean plant species namely Quercus calliprinos, Pistacia palaestina, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus lycioides, and Phillyrea latifolia in wet and dry sites. Stomatal density, stomatal length, leaf mass area, lamina composition, percentage of intercellular air spaces, and mesophyll cell area in leaves of plants in wet and dry sites were analyzed. Xylem anatomy was assessed through vessel length and area in branches. In the dry site, three species had increased stomatal density and decreased stomatal length. Four species had increased palisade mesophyll and reduced air space volume. In contrast, phenotypic changes in the xylem were less pronounced; vessel length was unaffected by site conditions, but vessel diameter decreased in two species. Intercellular air spaces proved to be the most dynamic anatomical feature. Quercus calliprinos had the most extensive anatomical changes; Rhamnus lycioides had only minor changes. All these changes were observed in comparison to the species in the wet site. This study elucidated variations in anatomical responses in leaves among co-occurring Mediterranean plant species and identified the most dynamic traits. Understanding these adaptations provides valuable insights into the ability of plants to thrive under changing climate conditions.

Are the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratios of Earthquakes and Microtremors the Same?

ABSTRACT We consider the similarities and differences between earthquake and microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (eHVSR and mHVSR, respectively) using a dataset of 161 sites in southern California. Quantitative comparisons are made in terms of the eHVSR and mHVSR lognormal median curves, as well as the frequencies and amplitudes associated with the fundamental- and higher-mode resonances where present. The results show only 58% of the eHVSR–mHVSR pairs agree in terms of their median curve and only 25% of the eHVSR–mHVSR pairs agree in terms of shared resonances, which increases to 68% if flat HVSRs are considered equivalent. Furthermore, while the shared resonances match very well in terms of frequency (root mean square error, RMSE, <0.11 Hz), the amplitudes of those resonances do not agree (RMSE >1.6). These findings demonstrate that while eHVSR and mHVSR agree at some sites, they are not equivalent at all sites. To investigate if the agreement between eHVSR and mHVSR could be related to features of the microtremor data, earthquake recordings, and/or the site conditions, three machine learning (ML) models at varying levels of interpretability are presented. The ML models—which include multivariate logistic regression, gradient-boosted trees, and support vector machines—show only partial success at using site-specific data to predict whether eHVSR and mHVSR will likely agree in terms of their median curve (accuracy of 78%) and number of resonances (accuracy of 84%). Therefore, we conclude that while eHVSR and mHVSR can be quite similar in terms of resonant frequencies at some sites, they are not identical at all sites. Furthermore, preliminary evidence shows that the agreement of eHVSR and mHVSR can be predicted a priori given features of the microtremor measurements, earthquake recordings, and site conditions, although a larger dataset will be necessary for developing a robust predictive model.

Shading and Water Addition Alleviate the Elemental Limitations of the Early Restoration Community in a Stressful Environment.

Shading and water addition are essential management measures to improve seed germination and early seedling survival; however, little is known about their effects on leaf stoichiometry and nutrient status. We established 90 plant communities with shading and water addition gradients on a rocky hill; leaves of their dominant woody plant species were collected to measure elemental concentrations, and then, stoichiometric variation and nutrient status were analysed. The results showed that the overall effects of shading and water addition significantly altered the concentrations and ratios of nutrient elements; shading largely affected leaf K and P, while water addition mainly affected leaf N and P. The interactions between shading and water addition were significant for most species but disappeared at the community level. Consequently, the nutrient status in leaves was improved by promoting the concentrations and balances of nutrient elements. However, the responses to shading and water addition were marked by species-specific differences, with some plants forming a sensitive group and others distinguished by conservatism. Our findings show that management of the physical environment could improve nutrient element utilization in leaves and alleviate the nutrient limitations. For our site conditions, mild shading (25-35%) and adequate water addition (30 L·m-2) in the early stage of vegetation restoration is recommended to advance community assembly by improving nutrient physiology, directly diminishing the stress of water scarcity and excessive irradiation. These findings explore the underlying mechanisms of shading and water addition that could promote community development and provide guidance for restoration practice.

Generative Adversarial Networks-Based Ground-Motion Model for Crustal Earthquakes in Japan Considering Detailed Site Conditions

ABSTRACT We develop a ground-motion model (GMM) for crustal earthquakes in Japan that can directly model the probability distribution of ground-motion acceleration time histories based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). The proposed model can generate ground motions conditioned on moment magnitude, rupture distance, and detailed site conditions defined by the average shear-wave velocity in the top 5, 10, and 20 m (VS5, VS10, and VS20) and the depth to shear-wave velocities of 1.0 km/s and 1.4 km/s (Z1.0 and Z1.4). We construct the neural networks based on styleGAN2 and introduce a novel neural network architecture to generate ground motions considering the effect of source, path, and such detailed site conditions. The resulting 5% damped spectral acceleration from the proposed GMM is consistent with empirical GMMs in terms of magnitude and distance scaling. The proposed GMM can also generate ground motions accounting for the shear-wave velocity profiles of surface soil with different magnitudes and distances and represent characteristics that are not explained solely byVS30.

Flexural performance study of the CHC joint based on experimental methods

Joints are pivotal components in prefabricated station technology, requiring development to meet diverse requirements such as site conditions, safety, stability, operability, and waterproofing. CHC joints, while addressing these factors, offer the advantages of easy assembly and clear force transmission. These advantages of the CHC joints have been verified in the application of Pingxi Station in Shenzhen, China. Furthermore, the mechanical transmission mechanism of CHC joints is novel and distinct from existing joint types. This study, employing experimental methods, conducts further investigation into the flexural mechanical properties of CHC joints, elucidating their flexural behavior and failure modes. The findings indicate that the axial force transmission mechanism of CHC joints ensures stable tension transmission under bending moment loads; the flexural stiffness of joints exhibits pronounced nonlinearity; and the failure mode of joints resembles that of reinforced concrete beams with adequate reinforcement, demonstrating ductile failure. This research offers valuable insights for the design of CHC joints.

Engineering geological investigation of Gololcha dam for evaluation of leakage and abutment slope stability, Eastern Ethiopia

The Ethiopian economy is primarily dependent on agriculture, making the construction of water harvesting facilities, such as dams, crucial for improving the productivity of this sector. The ongoing construction of the Gololcha dam on the Kurkura River located in Eastern Ethiopia aims to enhance irrigation schemes in the region. However, the dam site's complex geological and structural conditions pose challenges related to leakage and slope instability. Hence, this study focuses on addressing the abutment slope stability and leakage condition of this dam. This study employed kinematic analysis and the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) to assess slope stability. Additionally, engineering geological mapping, discontinuity surveys, seismic refraction tomography (SRT), and in-situ permeability testing were used to evaluate the leakage condition of the dam site. Notably, the permeability and SRT survey results identified potential leakage zones to the depth of 35, 30, and 35 m at the left, right, and central foundations of the dam, respectively. The kinematic method revealed one planar and two wedge modes of failure in the slope section covered by slightly weathered and fractured basalt rock at the right abutment. Further stability analysis of these two modes of failures via LEM analysis indicated slope instability under saturated conditions, emphasizing the role of pore water pressure. Furthermore, LEM modeling was directly utilized using the Slide 6.0 software to analyze the slope stability condition of the left abutment of the dam. This modeling also uncovered instability under saturated conditions. Based on the study findings, this study recommended curtain grouting to address potential leakage, as well as slope flattening and removing unstable rock wedges and loose material to stabilize unstable slope sections.

Compacted Soil Liners and Covers for Waste Containment

An effective waste disposal system is essential in preventing the infiltration of leachate into the ground and achieving the sustainable development goal of ensuring access to clean and potable water. Liner is an important component of landfill in waste disposal facilities as it impedes the flow of leachate from the landfill. The choice of liner material depends on factors, such as the type and availability of soil, the site conditions, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This paper focuses on different soil types as compacted liners in waste containment facilities. The main purpose of this paper is to present the findings of laboratory investigations and measurements of hydraulic conductivity and other important soil properties extracted from previous literature with the aim of providing a guide in material selection for use as compacted soil liners and covers in waste containment applications. The key results of many laboratory studies previously conducted on soils of different properties, gradation, plasticity, and mineralogy, untreated or stabilized with various additives such as waste materials from industries, agricultural by-products and municipal waste materials are reported. The paper also presents the potential of using biopolymer-treated soils (soils modified by polymers) derived from plants and animals, as potential liner materials.