Earthworm inoculation for soil amelioration has been shown to be valuable in a range of experiments. At present, inoculation on a large scale is limited by the supply of larger deep-burrowing species of earthworm. This work aimed to assess the feasibility of intensively producing deep-burrowing earthworms for soil amelioration projects. Lwnbricus terrestris, whose behaviour is well documented, was chosen. The scientific literature was used to identify points within the life cycle of this earthworm where manipulation of conditions might lead to increased rates of production. Feed quality, environmental temperature, time of year, population density and age of breeding stock were all recognised as important variables. Experiments were performed to identify the optimal conditions for L.rerrestris reproduction, cocoon development and growth. Results suggested that reproduction would occur throughout the year and mean annual figures of 37 cocoons per worm were recorded from intensively produced earthworms. Recently matured worms showed greatest levels of cocoon production. As previously reported seasonal variation in reproduction was found even at constant temperature. Cocoon development was most rapid at a temperature of 20°C, taking 70 days, with a cocoon viability of 83%. Growth from a mean hatchling weight of 53mg to sexual maturity at 5g, took twelve weeks. Growth at constant temperatures of 15 and 20°C was not significantly different. A synthetic feed, with a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 40:1, created from paper waste and yeast extract, led to greatest recorded figures for both growth and cocoon production. The results suggest that an intensive production system is technically feasible, and the economic viability needs to be tested.

There is a growing need for employing sustainable soil improvement techniques. Concurrently, soil carbon sequestration methods continue to receive more attention in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas levels contributing to climate change. Exploring the use of gasifier biochar for soil improvement can possibility address these two needs simultaneously. This study investigates the effect of gasifier biochar amendment on mechanical, chemical and hydraulic properties of a local clay with poor engineering properties. Specifically, strength, swelling, compressibility, collapsibility, permeability, water retention, cation exchange capacity, pH, and microstructural characteristics were determined for the clay amended with 5, 10, and 20% biochar. Two sizes of biochar were used. The results showed that biochar amendment improves the strength, swelling potential, permeability, and water retention properties of the clay. Findings suggest that biochar amendment offers a sustainable solution for improving geotechnical properties of marginal soils while providing an efficient method for biospheric carbon sequestration.

A geocélula foi desenvolvida, inicialmente, com o intuito de melhorar a capacidade de carga do solo. Contudo, este geossintético também é empregado para compor muro de arrimo de gravidade, como sistema de faceamento de estruturas reforçadas, como proteção de taludes contra erosão e como revestimento de canais. Na melhora da capacidade de carga de solos, a geocélula pode ser usada no reforço de fundações, de vias rodoviárias e ferroviárias, e em aterros sobre solos moles. Na literatura existem poucos modelos de previsão da capacidade de carga de solos reforçados com geocélulas, contudo, com limitações em sua aplicabilidade. Neste aspecto, o presente trabalho apresenta um novo método de previsão considerando os mecanismos de desenvolvimento da resistência tanto do solo de fundação como da geocélula, sendo estes os efeitos laje e do confinamento. Este novo método de cálculo é verificado com resultados de ensaios de placa de laboratório conduzidos por diversos autores e por simulações numéricas computacionais, sendo, também, comparado qualitativamente e quantitativamente com os demais métodos de cálculo. Os resultados indicaram que os valores calculados pelo presente modelo foram mais próximos daqueles obtidos pelos ensaios e pelas simulações, em comparação com os demais métodos. O presente modelo se adequou de forma satisfatória para diferentes características da geocélula (geometria e material de constituição), do solo de fundação e de preenchimento (diferentes tipos de areia e argila) e da geometria do carregamento (placas circular, retangular e corrida). Por fim, o método foi aplicado em reforço de fundações e de solos moles e verificado de forma satisfatória com o uso de modelos numéricos. / The geocell was initially designed to improve the soil bearing capacity. However, this geosynthetic also can be used as a retaining wall, facing for reinforced soil structures, slope protection against erosion and channel lining. In the soil bearing capacity improvement the geocell can be applied as reinforcement of foundation, soft soil embankments and roads and railroads. In the literature there are few methods for predicting bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced soil, however with disabilities that limit their applicability. In this regard, a new method for predicting the bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced soils is presented herein, taking into account the soil foundation resistance and the geocell reinforcement mechanisms, namely, stress dispersion effect and confinement effect. The present method is verified with the results of laboratory plate load experiments by several authors and numerical simulations, and compared with other calculation methods. The results indicated that the calculated results obtained from this method were very close to experimental and numerical results, better than other methods. This method also proved to be a good approach for different geocell characteristics (geometry and constitution material), for foundation soil and geocell infill (different types of sand and clay) and for loading shape (circular, rectangular and strip). In the last Chapter, the method has been applied in foundation and soft soil improvement and satisfactory verified by numerical simulations.

Liquefaction is a phenomenon that occurs in loose saturated sand deposits that are subjected to earthquake loading. This phenomenon can cause massive displacements and significant destruction. Many methods for mitigating liquefaction have been proposed and investigated including compaction, drainage, and grouting. One such liquefaction mitigation technique involves the addition of bentonite fines to the pore spaces of a loose, saturated sand via permeation of an engineered clay suspension. This method of soil improvement has provided the basis and motivation for this research. Also, the effect of plastic and non-plastic fines on the static and cyclic response of sands is somewhat contradictory throughout the literature. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to characterize the affect of an engineered bentonite pore fluid on the undrained monotonic response of loose, saturated Ottawa sand in order to determine its feasibility for use as an effective method for liquefaction mitigation. The permeation of engineered bentonite suspensions is proposed as a passive site remediation technique. Thus, the suspensions were delivered to loose Ottawa sand specimens in the laboratory by permeation in a newly designed three-way split mold. This split mold was used to create easily tested specimens that would have an initial soil fabric similar to that expected after permeation in the field. The bentonite suspensions were treated with sodium pyrophosphate to reduce the initial yield stress and viscosity in order to allow for permeation. Three different bentonite suspensions were utilized throughout this study each having different properties and delivering slightly different amounts of bentonite to the loose, saturated sand. The affect of this engineered pore fluid on the undrained shear response of loose, saturated Ottawa sand was compared to the undrained shear response of clean sand and dry-mixed sand and bentonite. The specimen preparation method (dry-mixed or permeated) was shown to have a significant effect on the response of the sand specimens. While the dry-mixed specimens produced larger and more sustained positive pore water pressures than the clean sand (resulting in an increased tendency to flow), the permeated specimens showed a marked decrease in the generation of excess pore water pressures, displayed a more dilative response, and thus resulted in a soil structure that was less likely to flow. Finally, the results of tests on specimens permeated with engineered bentonite suspensions show that there is little to no change in the effective friction angle at critical state. A method for effectively testing permeated soil specimens was developed in this study. This method has laid the framework for further investigations into the use of engineered bentonite suspensions for liquefaction mitigation by permeation grouting. / text

A geocélula foi desenvolvida, inicialmente, com o intuito de melhorar a capacidade de carga do solo. Contudo, este geossintético também é empregado para compor muro de arrimo de gravidade, como sistema de faceamento de estruturas reforçadas, como proteção de taludes contra erosão e como revestimento de canais. Na melhora da capacidade de carga de solos, a geocélula pode ser usada no reforço de fundações, de vias rodoviárias e ferroviárias, e em aterros sobre solos moles. Na literatura existem poucos modelos de previsão da capacidade de carga de solos reforçados com geocélulas, contudo, com limitações em sua aplicabilidade. Neste aspecto, o presente trabalho apresenta um novo método de previsão considerando os mecanismos de desenvolvimento da resistência tanto do solo de fundação como da geocélula, sendo estes os efeitos laje e do confinamento. Este novo método de cálculo é verificado com resultados de ensaios de placa de laboratório conduzidos por diversos autores e por simulações numéricas computacionais, sendo, também, comparado qualitativamente e quantitativamente com os demais métodos de cálculo. Os resultados indicaram que os valores calculados pelo presente modelo foram mais próximos daqueles obtidos pelos ensaios e pelas simulações, em comparação com os demais métodos. O presente modelo se adequou de forma satisfatória para diferentes características da geocélula (geometria e material de constituição), do solo de fundação e de preenchimento (diferentes tipos de areia e argila) e da geometria do carregamento (placas circular, retangular e corrida). Por fim, o método foi aplicado em reforço de fundações e de solos moles e verificado de forma satisfatória com o uso de modelos numéricos. / The geocell was initially designed to improve the soil bearing capacity. However, this geosynthetic also can be used as a retaining wall, facing for reinforced soil structures, slope protection against erosion and channel lining. In the soil bearing capacity improvement the geocell can be applied as reinforcement of foundation, soft soil embankments and roads and railroads. In the literature there are few methods for predicting bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced soil, however with disabilities that limit their applicability. In this regard, a new method for predicting the bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced soils is presented herein, taking into account the soil foundation resistance and the geocell reinforcement mechanisms, namely, stress dispersion effect and confinement effect. The present method is verified with the results of laboratory plate load experiments by several authors and numerical simulations, and compared with other calculation methods. The results indicated that the calculated results obtained from this method were very close to experimental and numerical results, better than other methods. This method also proved to be a good approach for different geocell characteristics (geometry and constitution material), for foundation soil and geocell infill (different types of sand and clay) and for loading shape (circular, rectangular and strip). In the last Chapter, the method has been applied in foundation and soft soil improvement and satisfactory verified by numerical simulations.

Esta investigación comprende la caracterización del suelo que conforma la subrasante de la Av. Padre Salas, Villa Rica, Pasco, el potencial de resistencia y la expansión que presenta el suelo en el sector indicado, la evaluación es realizada mediante ensayos CBR. Se utiliza la técnica de suelo cemento para mejorar las características físicas y mecánicas, este proceso consiste en mezclar al material con cemento Portland Tipo I formando suelo cemento 10%, 15% y 20%, los cuales presentan un incremento del CBR (máximo: 138.7% y mínimo: 91.9%) logrando un tipo de subrasante extraordinaria para resistir la estructura del pavimento y una reducción de 7.18% en la expansión de las muestras. / This study includes found the properties of the soil, which forms Av. Padre Salas, Villa Rica, Pasco subgrade, strength potential and expansion that soil presents at the indicated sector, the evaluation is executed through CBR tests. Soil cement technique is use in order to improve the physical and mechanical characteristics; this process is to combine the material with Ordinary Portland cement making soil cement 10%. 15% y 20%, which have a CBR increase (max: 138.7% and min: 91.9%) achieving an extraordinary subgrade type so as to bear up the pavement structure and an expansion reduction of 7.18% in specimens. / Tesis

Margretelunds reningsverk i Åkersberga står såsom andra svenska avloppsreningsverk inför nya utmaningar i samband med anpassningen till ett mer hållbart och cirkulärt samhälle. För att bidra till en bra lokal miljö med få transporter och minimerad lukt, uppnå en hög grad av fosforåtervinning, samt reducera organiska och icke-organiska föreningar i slammet ska Roslagsvattenb i samarbete med IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet utvärdera C-Greens OxyPower HTC-teknik. HTC-tekniken är hydrotermisk karbonisering (HTC) kombinerat med våtoxidation av HTC- vatten. Det våta slammet tas om hand på reningsverket och omvandlas till en fast kolanrikad produkt så kallad HTC-biokol eller hydrokol. HTC-processen innebär uppvärmning av det våta slammet (180–260°C) under högt tryck och syrefria förhållande med vatten närvarande. Hydrokolet som bildas kan uppgraderas till bränsle, jordförbättringsmedel eller aktiverat kol.  I detta arbete studerades potentialen att använda hydrokol som jordförbättringsmedel genom att undersöka biokolets fysikaliska- och kemiska egenskaper. Hydrokol jämfördes med biokol från pyrolys som också är en förkolningsprocess av biomassa vid höga temperaturer (300–650 °C) under syrefria förhållande dock utan närvaro av vatten.  Baserat på resultatet från publicerade studier, har hydrokol potentialen att ersätta eller komplettera mineralgödsel. Hydrokol förbättrar markens bördighet och produktivitet genom att t.ex. öka den totala växttillväxten, förbättrar mineraliseringen av näringsämnen och tillgängligheten av fosfor, samt ger en långsam frisättning av näringsämnen. / Margretelund's treatment plant in Åkersberga, like other Swedish sewage treatment plants, faces new challenges in connection with the adaptation to a more sustainable and circular society. In order to contribute to a good local environment with few transports and minimized odors, achieve a high degree of phosphorus recovery, and reduce organic and inorganic pollutants in the sludge, Roslagsvatten, in collaboration with the IVL Swedish Environmental Institute, will evaluate C-Green's OxyPower HTC-technology.  The HTC-technology is hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) combined with wet oxidation of HTC-water. The wet sludge is taken care of at the treatment plant and converted into a fast carbon-enriched product called HTC-biochar or hydrochar. The HTC-process involves heating the wet sludge (180–260°C) under high pressure and oxygen-free conditions with water present. The hydrochar that is formed can be upgraded to fuel, soil improver or activated carbon.  In this work, the potential of using hydrochar as a soil improver is studied by examining the biochar's physical and chemical properties. Hydrochar was compared with biochar from pyrolysis, which is also a charring process of biomass at high temperatures (300–650 °C) under oxygen-free conditions but without the presence of water.  Based on the results of published studies, hydrochar has the potential to replace or supplement mineral fertilizers. Hydrochar improves soil fertility and productivity by e.g. increase overall plant growth, improve nutrient mineralization and phosphorus availability, and provide a slow release of nutrients.

O jet grouting é uma das técnicas de tratamento de solos mais utilizadas em todo o mundo. Consiste em jatear uma calda de cimento a altíssima velocidade no subsolo, com ou sem a adição de água e/ou ar comprimido. Os fluidos são injetados através de minúsculos bicos posicionados na extremidade de uma composição especial de hastes, que giram à velocidade constante enquanto sobem lentamente em direção à superfície do terreno. O jato remove e mistura o solo, produzindo um corpo consolidado de formato aproximadamente cilíndrico (a coluna de jet grouting). Variando os parâmetros operacionais (pressão de bombeamento, quantidade e diâmetro dos bicos, velocidade de extração das hastes, relação água/cimento da calda) e em função do tipo de solo, podem ser obtidas colunas de diâmetros variáveis dentro de um amplo intervalo. Na busca do diâmetro desejado, a escolha dos parâmetros de tratamento é feita atualmente com base em regras empíricas nem sempre pertinentes, causando muitas vezes o fracasso do tratamento ou, ainda, tornando-o excessivamente oneroso. Esta tese de doutorado apresenta um método simplificado para a previsão do diâmetro das colunas de jet grouting (sistema monofluido). Conjugando a análise racional do fenômeno físico de interação jatosolo (Modoni et al., 2006) à facilidade de aplicação característica dos métodos empíricos, propõe-se uma ferramenta ágil para a escolha da combinação mais adequada dos parâmetros de tratamento. / Jet grouting is one of the most popular ground improvement techniques all over the world. The method is based on high-speed grouting of water-cement mixtures and/or other fluids (air, water) into the subsoil. The fluids are injected through small diameter nozzles placed on a grout pipe, which is continuously rotated at a constant rate and slowly raised towards the ground surface. The jet removes and mixes the soil, producing a cemented body of quasi-cylindrical shape (the jet grouting column). Varying the operational parameters (grout pressure, number and diameter of the nozzles, monitor lifting rate, water-cement ratio of the grout) and as a function of the soil type, columns of variable diameters can be obtained in a wide interval. Currently, in search of the required diameter, the choice of the operational parameters is done on the basis of empirical rules not always relevant, causing very often the failure of the treatment or making it excessively onerous. This thesis presents a simplificated method for the prediction of the column diameter (single fluid system). Conjugating the rational analysis of the physical phenomenon of jetsoil interaction (Modoni et al., 2006) to the typical easiness of empirical methods application, an agile tool is proposed for the choice of the most appropriate combination of the operational parameters.

Com uma necessidade cada vez maior da utilização de materiais mais sustentáveis na construção civil, existe uma grande busca por novas substâncias que possam suprir as nossas necessidades de maneira mais “limpa”. O presente trabalho tem como foco propor uma metodologia de dosagem para a obtenção de solos artificialmente cimentados, com determinadas resistências e rigidezes, de maneira que eles sejam duráveis, com a adição de diferentes resíduos. O solo inicialmente estudado é a areia de Osório e os resíduos são a cal de carbureto e o pó de vidro. A cal de carbureto consiste basicamente de hidróxido de cálcio e o pó de vidro de sílica em estado amorfo, gerando assim uma combinação adequada para a ocorrência das reações pozolânicas. A metodologia de dosagem proposta relaciona as propriedades dos materiais com o fator η/Biv0,28, aos sete dias de cura, sendo η a porosidade do solo artificialmente cimentado e, Biv o teor volumétrico de agente cimentante no interior do mesmo (neste caso pó de vidro e cal de carbureto). O expoente externo 0,28 se assemelha ao encontrado em outras metodologias de dosagem para solos artificialmente cimentados com cimento Portland Com a finalidade de validar a metodologia proposta, para condições distintas das analisadas, foram executados ensaios com diferentes períodos de cura (180 dias), diferentes resíduos (cinza de casca de arroz) e um solo distinto (arenito Botucatu), chegando também a correlações do comportamento mecânico destes materiais com o fator η/Biv0,28. Os dados obtidos nesta pesquisa foram comparados com os resultados de outros pesquisadores que utilizaram cal com cinza volante de usinas de carvão juntamente com cal hidratada e de outros trabalhos que utilizaram cimento Portland, todos para criar solos artificialmente cimentados, e, mais uma vez, a metodologia proposta se mostrou eficaz. Foi possível ainda normalizar em função de um valor médio todos os resultados de rigidez, resistência e durabilidade obtendo assim equações únicas em função de η/Biv0,28 para todos os materiais analisados, chegando a uma correlação com mais de 1000 pontos no caso da resistência. / With a growing need for the use of more sustainable materials in construction, there is a great search for new substances that can meet our needs in a "cleaner" way. The present work aims to propose a dosing methodology for obtaining artificially cemented soils, with certain strengths and stiffness, so that they are durable, with the addition of different residues. The initially studied soil is the Osório sand and the residues are carbide lime and glass powder. The carbide lime basically consists of calcium hydroxide and the glass powder consists of silica in the amorphous state, thus generating a great combination for the occurrence of the pozolanic reactions. The proposed dosage methodology relates the properties of the materials with the factor η/Biv0.28, at the seven days of curing, in which η is the porosity of the artificially cemented soil and Biv is the volumetric content of the cementitious agent inside it (in this case powder glass and carbide lime) The external exponent 0.28 resembles that found in other dosing methodologies for artificially cemented soils with Portland cement. The methodology led to a unique correlation for all the dosages used. To validate the hypothesis which was raised, tests were carried out with different curing periods (180 days), different residues (rice husk ash) and a different soil (Botucatu sandstone), reaching optimum correlations. The data obtained in this research were compared with the results of other researchers who used lime with fly ash from coal plants together with hydrated lime and from other works that used Portland cement, all to create artificially cemented soils, and, once again, the proposed methodology proved to be excellent. It was also possible to normalize all the results of stiffness, strength and durability thus obtaining unique equations as a function of η/Biv0.28 for all materials analyzed, reaching a correlation with more than 1000 points.

Com uma necessidade cada vez maior da utilização de materiais mais sustentáveis na construção civil, existe uma grande busca por novas substâncias que possam suprir as nossas necessidades de maneira mais “limpa”. O presente trabalho tem como foco propor uma metodologia de dosagem para a obtenção de solos artificialmente cimentados, com determinadas resistências e rigidezes, de maneira que eles sejam duráveis, com a adição de diferentes resíduos. O solo inicialmente estudado é a areia de Osório e os resíduos são a cal de carbureto e o pó de vidro. A cal de carbureto consiste basicamente de hidróxido de cálcio e o pó de vidro de sílica em estado amorfo, gerando assim uma combinação adequada para a ocorrência das reações pozolânicas. A metodologia de dosagem proposta relaciona as propriedades dos materiais com o fator η/Biv0,28, aos sete dias de cura, sendo η a porosidade do solo artificialmente cimentado e, Biv o teor volumétrico de agente cimentante no interior do mesmo (neste caso pó de vidro e cal de carbureto). O expoente externo 0,28 se assemelha ao encontrado em outras metodologias de dosagem para solos artificialmente cimentados com cimento Portland Com a finalidade de validar a metodologia proposta, para condições distintas das analisadas, foram executados ensaios com diferentes períodos de cura (180 dias), diferentes resíduos (cinza de casca de arroz) e um solo distinto (arenito Botucatu), chegando também a correlações do comportamento mecânico destes materiais com o fator η/Biv0,28. Os dados obtidos nesta pesquisa foram comparados com os resultados de outros pesquisadores que utilizaram cal com cinza volante de usinas de carvão juntamente com cal hidratada e de outros trabalhos que utilizaram cimento Portland, todos para criar solos artificialmente cimentados, e, mais uma vez, a metodologia proposta se mostrou eficaz. Foi possível ainda normalizar em função de um valor médio todos os resultados de rigidez, resistência e durabilidade obtendo assim equações únicas em função de η/Biv0,28 para todos os materiais analisados, chegando a uma correlação com mais de 1000 pontos no caso da resistência. / With a growing need for the use of more sustainable materials in construction, there is a great search for new substances that can meet our needs in a "cleaner" way. The present work aims to propose a dosing methodology for obtaining artificially cemented soils, with certain strengths and stiffness, so that they are durable, with the addition of different residues. The initially studied soil is the Osório sand and the residues are carbide lime and glass powder. The carbide lime basically consists of calcium hydroxide and the glass powder consists of silica in the amorphous state, thus generating a great combination for the occurrence of the pozolanic reactions. The proposed dosage methodology relates the properties of the materials with the factor η/Biv0.28, at the seven days of curing, in which η is the porosity of the artificially cemented soil and Biv is the volumetric content of the cementitious agent inside it (in this case powder glass and carbide lime) The external exponent 0.28 resembles that found in other dosing methodologies for artificially cemented soils with Portland cement. The methodology led to a unique correlation for all the dosages used. To validate the hypothesis which was raised, tests were carried out with different curing periods (180 days), different residues (rice husk ash) and a different soil (Botucatu sandstone), reaching optimum correlations. The data obtained in this research were compared with the results of other researchers who used lime with fly ash from coal plants together with hydrated lime and from other works that used Portland cement, all to create artificially cemented soils, and, once again, the proposed methodology proved to be excellent. It was also possible to normalize all the results of stiffness, strength and durability thus obtaining unique equations as a function of η/Biv0.28 for all materials analyzed, reaching a correlation with more than 1000 points.