The dewatering of wastewater sludge (slurry) is a routine operation at wastewater treatment plants, and the results of dewaterability tests underpin the selection of dewatering processes. The two most commonly applied dewaterability tests for this purpose are the capillary suction time (CST) test and the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) test. The aim of this research was to develop improved methods of estimating sludge dewaterability by modifying the components and procedures used in the standard CST test, and by exploring the causes of the high variability that confounds the interpretation of the CST test results. The applications of this research were to recommend alternative methodologies that would help to improve the accuracy and precision of the standard CST test device and procedures, and ideally reduce operational and consumable costs. Multi-factorial experiments were designed to test the capillary suction times and the specific resistances to filtration of natural sludges and also of a synthetic medium which was formulated to simulate the properties of natural sludges. The applicability of altering the funnel geometry of the CST device, and the use of several alternative types of filter paper was evaluated. The applicability of incorporating stirring activity to eliminate or a least reduce sedimentation, and of adding a sealant at the bottom of the funnel, to eliminate or at least minimize unwanted filtrate leakage between the edge of the funnel and the filter paper, were studied. Experiments were performed to analyze the effects of temperature on the properties of sludges and the results of CST tests. Improved methods of estimating sludge dewaterability were developed by modifying the components and procedures used in the standard CST test, and by exploring the causes of variability in the test results. Stable synthetic sludges were successfully formulated to simulate the properties of natural sludges for experimental purposes. A rectangular funnel significantly reduced the variability and the time taken to conduct the CST test, relative to a circular funnel, particularly when testing heavy sludges. Whatman 17 chr (the most commonly used anisotropic filter paper) did not produce the most consistent CST test results in the shortest time. It is recommended that isotropic filter papers could be used, to lower the cost, reduce the test time, and improve the test precision. The addition of a sealant to the CST test apparatus also reduced the variability in the test results. No significant effects were found when a stirrer was added to the apparatus. The best line of fit to estimate filterability was defined by loge Y = β0 + β1 √x where Y = the mean CST value (s); β0 = the intercept (the predicted mean CST (s) when the distance4 between electrodes of the CST device is zero); β1 = the filterability (s/m2); X = the distance4 (m) between the electrodes of the CST device. Non-linear relationships were found between the CST test times and the temperature, associated with a complexity of effects of the temperature on sludge viscosity, filterability, settleability, desorptivity, and flocculation behaviour. It is recommended that the temperature should be recorded and controlled during the conduction of CST tests. SRF test results were predicted from the results of CST tests by the empirical model loge SRF = 46.128 – 1.346 T + 0.035 T2 + 13.760 F/TSS where SRF is the specific resistance to filtration (m/kg); T is the temperature (ºC); F is the filterability (loge s/m2) and TSS is the total suspended solids concentration (g/l).

Automation is creating revolution in the present industrial sector, as it reduces manpower and time of production. Our project mainly deals around the shearing operation, were the sheet is picked manually and placed on the belt for shearing which involves risk factor. Our challenge is designing of pick and place operator to carry the sheet from the stack and place it in the shearing machine for the feeding. We have gone through different research papers, articles and had observed the advanced technologies used in other industries for the similar operation. After related study we have achieved the design of a 3-jointed robotic arm were the base is fixed and the remaining joints move in vertical and horizontal directions. The end effector is also designed such that to lift the sheet we use suction cups were the sheet is uplifted with a certain pressure. Here we used Creo-Parametric for design and Autodesk-Inventor 2017 to simulate the designed model.

Water infiltration associated with natural precipitation events or other artificial activities such as pipe leaks in expansive soils significantly influence the engineering properties; namely, coefficient of permeability, shear strength and volume change behavior. For this reason, it is challenging to design or construct geotechnical infrastructure within or with expansive soils. Several billions of dollars losses, world-wide, can be attributed to the repairing, redesigning and retrofitting of infrastructure constructed with or within expansive soils, annually. Piles are widely used as foundations in expansive soils extending conventional design procedures based on the principles of saturated soil mechanics. However, the behavior of piles in unsaturated expansive soils is significantly different from conventional non-expansive saturated soils. Three significant changes arise as water infiltrates into expansive soil around the pile. Firstly, soil volume expansion contributes to ground heave in vertical direction. Secondly, volume expansion restriction leads to development of the lateral swelling pressure resulting in an increment in the lateral earth pressure in the horizontal direction. Thirdly, pile-soil interface shear strength properties change due to variations in water content (matric suction) of the surrounding soil. These three changes are closely related to matric suction variations that arise during the water infiltration process. For this reason, a rational methodology is necessary for the pile load transfer mechanism analysis based on the mechanics of unsaturated soils. Studies presented in this thesis are directed towards developing simple methods to predict the load transfer mechanism changes of piles in expansive soils upon infiltration. More emphasis is directed towards the prediction of the pile mechanical behavior which includes the pile head load-displacement relationship, the pile axial force (shaft friction) distribution and the pile base resistance using unsaturated mechanical as a tool. The function of matric suction as an independent stress state variable on the mechanical behavior pile is highlighted. More specifically, following studies were conducted: (i) Previous studies on various factors influencing the load transfer mechanisms of piles in unsaturated expansive soils are summarized and discussed to give a background of current research. More specifically, state-of-the-art reviews are summarized on the application of piles in expansive soils, mobilization of lateral swelling pressure, mobilization of unsaturated pile-soil interface shear strength and methods available for the load transfer analysis of piles in expansive soils. (ii) Employing unsaturated soil mechanics as a tool, theoretical methods are proposed for estimating the lateral earth pressure variations considering the mobilization of lateral swelling pressure. The proposed methods are verified using two large-scale laboratory studies and two field studies from published literatures. (iii) The shear displacement method and load transfer curve methods used traditionally for pile load transfer mechanisms analysis for saturated soils were modified to extend their applications for unsaturated expansive soils. The influence of volume change characteristics and unsaturated soil properties on unsaturated expansive soils are considered in these methods. The validation of the modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method were established using a large-scale model test performed in the geotechnical engineering lab of University of Ottawa and a field case study results from the published literature. (iv) A large-scale model pile infiltration test conducted in a typical expansive soil from Regina in Canada in the geotechnical lab of University of Ottawa is presented and interpreted using the experimental data of volumetric water content suction measurements and shear strength data. The results of the comprehensive experiment studies are also used to validate the proposed modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method achieving reasonable good comparisons. The proposed modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method are simple and require limited number soil properties including the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), matric suction profile upon wetting and drying and some soil physical properties. Due to these advantages, they can be easily and conveniently applied in engineering practice for prediction of the mechanical behavior of piles in unsaturated expansive soils, which facilitate practicing engineers to produce sound design of pile foundation in unsaturated expansive soils in a simplistic manner.

Growth chamber studies showed that a relationship exists between transpiration and dry matter production of spring wheat (Tritiaum Aestivum L. var . Thatcher). A temperature of 27 C for a 16-hour day,and 21 C at night were used throughout the experiment. Relative humidities (RH) of 12, 25, 71, and 83 percent and matric suctions of 1, 3, and 9 bars were used a l ong with six fertility levels and a 20-day growing period. An equation was developed from previous equations by De Wit and Arkley to describe the transpiration ratio (Tr = mass of water transpired/mass of dry matter produced) as it relates to evaporative demand conditions measured by humidity and pan evaporation. Time and fertility effects were not included because of insufficient data. As humidity both increases and decreases from 25 percent, the transpiration ratio decreases. Increasing levels of matric suction had an effect on Tr only at 25 percent RH. As fertility increased, Tr decreased toward some minimum level. Tr seems to reach a stable maximum as plants mature under steady state conditions.

Doctor of Philosophy / Suction caissons have been used in the offshore industry in the last two decades as both temporary mooring anchorages and permanent foundation systems. Although there have been more than 500 suction caissons installed in various locations around the world,understanding of this concept is still limited. This thesis investigates the installation aspect of suction caissons, focusing on the installation in dense sand and layered soils, where sand is inter-bedded by silt and weakly cemented layers. The research was mainly experimental, at both normal gravity and elevated acceleration levels in a geotechnical centrifuge, with some numerical simulations to complement the experimental observations. This study firstly explored the suction caisson installation response in the laboratory at 1g. The influence and effect of different design parameters, which include caisson size and wall thickness, and operational parameters including pumping rate and the use of surcharge were investigated in dense silica sand. The sand heave inside the caisson formed during these installations was also recorded and compared between tests. The 1g study also investigated the possibility of installing suction caissons in layered sand-silt soil, where caissons were installed by both slow and rapid pumping. The heave formation in this case is also discussed. The mechanism of heave formation in dense sand and deformation of the silt layer was further investigated using a half-caisson model and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The installation response at prototype soil stress conditions was then investigated in a geotechnical centrifuge. The effects of caisson size, wall thickness, as well as surcharge were investigated in various types of sand, including silica sand, calcareous sand dredged from the North Rankin site in the North West Shelf (Australia), and mixed soil where silica sand was mixed with different contents of silica flour. Comparison with the 1g results was also made. The general trend for the suction pressure during installation in homogenous sand was identified. The installation in layered soil was also investigated in the centrifuge. The installation tests were performed in various sand-silt profiles, where the silt layers were on the surface and embedded within the sand. Comparison with the results in homogenous sand was made to explore the influence of the silt layer. Installations in calcareous sand with cemented layers were also conducted. The penetration mechanism through the cemented layer is discussed, and also compared with the penetration mechanism through the silt layer. Finite element modelling was performed to simulate key installation behaviour. In particular, it was applied to simulate the sand deformation observed in the PIV tests. The likely loosening range of the internal sand plug during suction installation in silica sand was estimated. By investigating the development of hydraulic gradient along the inner wall, the principle underlying the suction response for different combinations of selfweight and wall thickness was identified. FE modelling was also performed to explore the influence of the hydraulic blockage by the silt layer. This study found that the caissons could penetrate into all soils by suction installation. Among the key findings are the observations that the suction pressure increases with depth following a distinct pressure slope, corresponding to a critical hydraulic condition along the inner wall; and the installation was possible in both layered sand-silt and uncemented-cemented soils if sufficient pumping was available. While the caisson could penetrate the weakly cemented layers well with no notable adverse effects, problems were observed in the installation in layered sand-silt soil. These include piping failure in slow pumping rate installation at 1g, and the formation of extremely unstable soil heave during installation.

The presence of moisture in hot mix asphalt (HMA) causes loss of strength and durability of the mix, which is referred to as moisture damage. This study deals with the development of experimental methods for measuring total suction in HMA, which can be defined as the free energy state of water in HMA mixes. The total suction is related to the ability of moisture to get into the mix under unsaturated conditions; it is also related to the ability of the mix to retain moisture. Soil suction has been studied extensively. However, suction in HMA as a porous material and its relationship to moisture damage have not been studied. The development of a procedure to measure the total suction in HMA mixes is the first objective of this research. The second objective is to relate suction measurements to physical and chemical properties of the mixtures. The objectives were achieved in two phases. In the first phase, the total suction was measured in HMA specimens with different types of aggregates (limestone and granite), and with different air void distributions and aggregate gradations. The results of this phase showed that the drying test using a 60 oC temperature-controlled room is the proper setup for measuring the total suction in HMA using thermocouple psychrometers. The characteristics of suction-moisture content curves were found to be related to the air void distribution in HMA. In the second phase, total suction was measured in sand asphalt specimens. These specimens had different combinations of aggregates and binders with different bond energies and exhibited different field performance in terms of resistance to moisture damage. The suction measurements in sand asphalt specimens were used to calculate the moisture diffusion coefficient. The results revealed that water diffused into sand asphalt specimens that are known to have poor resistance to moisture damage faster than those that are known to have good resistance to moisture damage

Dredging projects are expensive government funded projects that are contracted out and competitively bid upon. When planning a trailing suction hopper dredge project or bidding on the request for proposal for such a project, having an accurate cost prediction is essential. This thesis presents a method using fluid transport fundamentals and pump power characteristics to determine a production rate for hopper dredges. With a production rate established, a number of financial inputs are used to determine the cost and duration of a project. The estimating program is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet provided with reasonable values for a wide arrange of hopper dredging projects. The spreadsheet allows easy customization for any user with specific knowledge to improve the accuracy of his estimate. Results from the spreadsheet were found to be satisfactory using the default values and inputs of 8 projects from 1998 to 2009,: The spreadsheet produced an estimate that was an average of a 15.9% difference from the actual contract cost, versus a 15.7% difference for government estimates of the same projects.

Landslides are one of the most dangerous geological hazards. In the United States, landslides cause a damage of $ 3.5 billion and kill 25 to 50 people annually. Shallow landslides occurring near any transportation facilities (railways and highways) can cause economic loss and disturbance of services which lead to indirect economic loss. It also increases the maintenance cost of those facilities. Hence, facilities located near a shallow landslide prone area should be monitored so as to avoid any catastrophic damages. Soil moisture and movement of the soil mass are prime indicators of potential shallow slide movements. This assessment of wireless instruments considers a variety of devices ranging from devices for monitoring tilt and moisture at specific points in the soil mass to ground penetrating radar (GPR), which can give indications of moisture accumulation in soils over a wide spatial extent. For this assessment study, a low cost MEMS accelerometer was selected for measuring tilts and motions. And EC type soil moisture sensor was selected to measure soil moisture content of embankments. The instrumentation of railway embankments works effectively and cheaply when a suspected problem area has already been identified and monitoring is needed over a limited spatial extent. This makes the monitoring system highly localized which often fails to cover potentially new failure prone areas. It is not feasible to use this approach to monitor soil conditions along the entire alignment of the railway. Therefore, another approach, GPR, is defined and explained in this study. GPR measures the dielectric constant value for any given material including soils. In soils, the dielectric constant value depends on the volumetric amount of water content present in a soil. Due to moisture infiltration, there is a reduction in suction value on embankment which indicates a decrease in shear strength of slope. Therefore, a correlation between suction and dielectric constant value is formulated in this study using Complex Refractive index model/Time propagation (CRIM/TP) model for soils. To validate this theoretical correlation, a laboratory study was conducted on pure kaolinite and on normal soil. For pure kaolinite this correlation proves beneficial while, for other type of soil, the correlation was off due to the limitations in filter paper test to measure suction below 2.5pF.

Dredging projects are expensive government funded projects that are contracted out and competitively bid upon. When planning a trailing suction hopper dredge project or bidding on the request for proposal for such a project, having an accurate cost prediction is essential. This thesis presents a method using fluid transport fundamentals and pump power characteristics to determine a production rate for hopper dredges. With a production rate established, a number of financial inputs are used to determine the cost and duration of a project. The estimating program is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet provided with reasonable values for a wide arrange of hopper dredging projects. The spreadsheet allows easy customization for any user with specific knowledge to improve the accuracy of his estimate. Results from the spreadsheet were found to be satisfactory using the default values and inputs of 8 projects from 1998 to 2009,: The spreadsheet produced an estimate that was an average of a 15.9% difference from the actual contract cost, versus a 15.7% difference for government estimates of the same projects.

Soil suction is one of the most important physical variables affecting the soil engineering behavior, moisture content. Suction has a major controlling influence on soil shear strength. The moisture diffusivity properties of unsaturated properties of soils exert a critical influence on the depth to which seasonal variations of moisture and suction at the ground surface extend into the soil mass. Hence, a study of moisture diffusion coefficient is pivotal. In this research the drying test originally proposed by Mitchell (1979) has been validated by back calculating the moisture diffusion values using the empirical relation established by Lytton (2003). The non-linear flow through unsaturated soils has been simplified to a linear problem for simplicity in this study. Owing to this simplification, certain refinements have therefore been applied in the determination of diffusion coefficient. Thermocouple psychrometer was used to measure the soil suction along the length of the sample and at different times in the laboratory. Initial suction measurements were done using the filter paper test. Curve fitting procedure established by (Aubeny and Lytton, 2003), has been used for the determination of the diffusion coefficient. Analytical validation of the moisture diffusion coefficient, required coefficient of permeability, ??k??, slope of suction water characteristic curve ??S?? and air entry value ??ho?? as the major input parameters. Mitchell (1979) assumed the value of ??ho?? to be 100 cm. In this research air entry value, ??ho?? has been re-evaluated and it comes out to be higher than the pre estimated value. The value of slope of suction water characteristic curve, ??S?? obtained from pressure plate tests, compares well to the empirical equation of Lytton (2003). The results of moisture diffusion coefficient obtained from the empirical equation come out in the same range as obtained from the refined Mitchell??s (1979) drying test. The refinements includes introduction of constant temperature environment. Owing to the least variation in temperature, more reliable and reproducible data was obtained. The range of moisture diffusion coefficient, ??-values obtained from empirical equation, comes out to be coherent with the laboratory data. Hence, it can be concluded that the research was successful.