In many situations, the upper layers of soil above the ground water table are in a state of unsaturated condition. Although unsaturated soils are found throughout the world, they are predominant in arid or semi-arid regions. In these areas, the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) which relates the water content to the matric suction could be used as key tool to implement the mechanics of unsaturated soils into the designs of geotechnical structures such as dams, embankments, pavements, canals, and foundations. Several experimental techniques are available for determining the SWCC in a laboratory environment. However, these experimental techniques are expensive, time consuming typically requiring days or weeks, depending on the soil type, and demanding intricate testing equipment. Due to these reasons, there has been a growing interest to find other means for estimating SWCC and encourage the adoption of unsaturated soils mechanics in geotechnical engineering practice. Several methods exist to indirectly estimate the SWCC from basic soil properties. Some may include statistical estimation of the water content at selected matric suction values, correlation of soil properties with the fitting parameters of an analytical equation that represents the SWCC, estimation of the SWCC using a physics-based conceptual model, and artificial intelligence methods such as neural networks or genetic programming. However, many studies have shown that environmental effects such as temperature, soil structure, initial water content, void ratio, stress history, compaction method, etc. can also affect the SWCC. This means that the estimation SWCC from set of conditions may not reliably predict the SWCC in other conditions. Due to this reason, it is crucial for engineers involved with unsaturated soils to take into account all the factors that influence the SWCC. The two key objectives of the present thesis are the development of a method based on first principles, using the capillary rise theory, to predict the variation of the SWCC as a function of temperature, as well as developing a technique for the prediction of the fixed parameters of a well-known function representing the SWCC based on basic soil properties together with the moisture profile of a soil column subjected to a known temperature gradient. A rational approach using capillary rise theory and the effect of temperature on surface tension and liquid density is developed to study the relation between temperature and the parameters of the Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation. Several tests, using a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath, were performed to determine the SWCC of two coarse-grained soils at different temperatures. A good comparison between the predicted SWCC at different temperatures using the proposed model and the measured values from the Tempe cell test results is achieved. Within the scope of this thesis, a separate testing program was undertaken to indirectly estimate the SWCC of the same two coarse-grained soils from the measurement of their steady state soil-moisture profile while subjected to a fixed temperature differences. The water potential equation in the liquid and vapor phases is used to analyses the steady state flow conditions in the unsaturated soil. A good comparison is obtained for the SWCC estimated using this technique with the SWCC measured used a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath. The results of this study indicate that knowledge of the moisture content of a soil specimen under a constant thermal gradient and basic soil properties can be used to estimate the SWCC of the soil at the desired temperature.

Railways are one of the largest transportation networks in the world that play an important role in the mass transportation of both the passengers and freight. The speed of trains and as well as the axial load carrying capacity have been increasing significantly during the past few decades to keep in pace with the population and economy growth and to compete with other modes of transportation such as the road, air and water transportation system. Billions of dollars are spent annually for maintenance of rail tracks in the world. The efficient and optimum use of these funds is a challenging task that demands innovative and cutting edge technologies in railway engineering. The railway subgrade is an important part of railway foundation and should be capable of providing a suitable base supporting the ballast and subballast to accommodate the stresses due to traffic loads without failure or excessive deformation. The progressive shear failure is a well-known and age old challenging problem for railways over the world for centuries. The subgrade of railway track which typically constitutes of fine-grained material tends to fail through the accumulation of soil movements up- and sideward developing a path for the least resistance along which progressive shear failure occurs under repeated train-induced loads and due to the effects of climate factors. To-date, limited number of studies have addressed failure mechanism associated with the progressive shear failure, especially using the mechanics of unsaturated soils. In this thesis, a novel and first of its kind, Visual Basic program developed in AutoCAD environment based on Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria and unsaturated soil mechanics theory. This program is capable of taking account of the influence of matric suction and simulate progressive shear failure in the subgrade under moving train. Simulation results suggest several parameters that include stress distribution, matric suction, cohesion, coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest, and coefficient of residual friction as well as the angle of internal friction have a significant effect on the progressive shear failure and the shape of failure planes in the subgrade. The progressive shear failure in subgrade can be reduced by increasing matric suction, cohesion, coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest, and coefficient of residual friction as well as the angle of internal friction, and optimizing combination of these parameters. The simulation results suggest the progressive shear failure can be well simulated with the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria. Several suggestions are made for railway subgrade construction and maintenance based on the results of this study.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The study aims to ascertain the attitudinal disposition of disabled individuals towards their own career development and advancement. Results indicate a positive attitudinal disposition. One hundred and three physically disabled workers constituted the sample, which consisted of 48 males and 55 females. Of the sample 75 had qualifications of matric and below and 28 that of above matric. Questionnaires were distributed to one hundred and forty five subjects associated with a Network for the Disabled, with a response rate of one hundred and three. Analysis of the respondent's actual responses indicate that more than half of the matric and below respondents would like to move into higher job levels. As training is but one initiative for career development, it is important to reflect that the greater proportion of white collar and blue collar status respondents feel that the opportunity to develop their career with further training is motivating. However, only a specified total of respondents pursued this initiative. A bigger proportion of the sample specified that they have done additional training courses, where more than half of this proportion feel that to do training courses motivate them within the context of career development and lesser proportion of them have a greater positive disposition about this. While significant associations were found between career development and further training opportunities, age was found not to have any influence on career development for this sample. Lastly, the limitations of the study are discussed with further recommendations and implications of the research findings in closure.

The passive force-deflection relationship for abutment walls is important for bridges subjected to thermal expansion and seismic forces, but no test results have been available for skewed abutments. To determine the influence of skew angle on the development of passive force, lab tests were performed on a wall with skew angles of 0º, 15º, 30º, and 45º. The wall was 1.26 m wide and 0.61 m high and the backfill consisted of dense compacted sand. As the skew angle increased, the passive force decreased substantially with a reduction of 50% at a skew of 30º. An adjustment factor was developed to account for the reduced capacity as a function of skew angle. The shape of the passive force-deflection curve leading to the peak force transitioned from a hyperbolic shape to a more bilinear shape as the skew angle increased. However, the horizontal displacement necessary to develop the peak passive force was typically 2 to 3.5% of the wall height. In all cases, the passive force decreased after the peak value, which would be expected for dense sand; however, at higher skew angles the drop in resistance was more abrupt than at lower skew angles. The residual passive force was typically about 35 to 45% lower relative to the peak force. Lateral movement was minimal due to shear resistance which typically exceeded the applied shear force. Computer models based on the log-spiral method, with apparent cohesion for matric suction, were able to match the measured force for the no skew case as well as the force for skewed cases when the proposed adjustment factor was used.

No / Organic matter (OM) causes many problems in drinking water treatment. It is difficult to monitor OM concentrations and character during treatment processes due to its complexity. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a promising tool for online monitoring. In this study, a unique dataset of fluorescence excitation emission matrixes (EEMs) (n = 867) was collected from all treatment stages of five drinking water treatment plants (WTPs) situated in diverse locations from subtropical to temperate climate. The WTPs incorporated various water sources, treatment processes and OM removal efficiencies (DOC removal 0%–68%). Despite these differences, four common fluorescence PARAFAC components were identified for characterisation of OM concentration and treatability. Moreover, fluorescence component ratios showed site-specific statistically significant correlations with OM removal, which contrasted with correlations between specific UV absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA) and OM removal that were not statistically significant. This indicates that use of fluorescence spectroscopy may be a more robust alternative for predicting DOC removal than UV spectroscopy. Based on the identified fluorescence components, four optical locations were selected in order to move towards single wavelength online OM monitoring.

No description available.

Shallow foundations rested on Leda clay that are widely distributed in Eastern Canada exhibit shrinkage characteristics and are prone to differential settlements. Due to this reason, significant repairs are necessary to the foundations and basements of residential structures constructed in Leda clay deposits. Differential settlements are commonly attributed to the changes in the natural water content of soils associated with water infiltration, evaporation or plant transpiration (i.e., tree-roots-suction). Various research studies have been undertaken to estimate the possible settlements of shallow foundations associated with the water infiltration or evaporation. Several thumb rules have been proposed through research studies, providing recommendations with respect to the distance at which trees must be planted as a function of their heights at maturity such that differential settlements can be avoided. However, limited studies have been carried out to estimate or model the settlements of shallow foundations taking into account the influence of tree-roots-suction. In the present research program, a comprehensive experimental study regarding the deformation characteristics of a sandy loam soil from Ottawa due to tree-root-suction is undertaken, using specially designed equipment. The study has been undertaken using a sandy loam soil so that the testing program can be conducted in a shorter period of time. An artificial rooting system (ARS) was designed and placed in a specially designed tank at the University of Ottawa to simulate tree-roots-suction and measure soil surface settlements associated with a decrease in natural water content (or increase in soil suction) using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The ARS consists of an artificial root, suction generator, matric suction and volumetric water content monitoring devices. The variation of matric suction and volumetric water content are monitored at various depths using the instrumentation of the ARS. Based on the results of the experimental studies, a methodology is proposed to model the settlement behaviour of sandy loam soils due to suction from ARS, using commercial finite element software, SEEP/W and SIGMA/W (i.e. software package of GeoStudio 2007). The study offers a reasonably good comparison between the measured surface settlements and those estimated using the finite element modelling analysis. The modelling methodology presented in this thesis is promising and may be extended for estimating the settlement behaviour associated with the tree roots suction of Leda clay deposits and to other soils.

Apresenta-se um estudo paramétrico acerca da infiltração de água e sua repercussão no Fator de Segurança de talude em solos não saturados. Na análise adota-se um talude de referência com geometria fixada conforme a inclinação típica para taludes em areia argilo siltosa, característica do Centro-Oeste do estado de São Paulo. A análise paramétrica foi desenvolvida a partir de uma simulação de fluxo em regime transiente utilizando o programa SEEP/W, que utiliza o método de elementos finitos, e posteriormente uma análise de estabilidade do talude de referência utilizando o método de Bishop simplificado conforme apresentado no programa SLOPE/W. Foram analisados taludes homogêneos compostos por três diferentes tipos de solo, uma areia, um silte argiloso e uma areia argilo siltosa. Os parâmetros analisados compreendem a curva de retenção de água, a função condutividade hidráulica do solo e a intensidade de precipitação. Verificou-se que a função condutividade hidráulica e a pressão de entrada de ar são os principais determinantes do comportamento da infiltração e conseqüentemente da estabilidade do talude. As simulações de fluxo evidenciaram que os taludes em solos mais arenosos apresentam taxas de infiltração maiores que as apresentadas pelos taludes compostos por solos siltosos. Consequentemente, os escorregamentos ocasionados pela perda da contribuição da sucção para a resistência ao cisalhamento ocorrem primeiramente nos taludes compostos por solos arenosos e posteriormente naqueles compostos por solos siltosos, fato este que pôde ser confirmado pelas análises de estabilidade do talude de referência. / A parametric study is presented about water infiltration and its repercussion in the safety factor of unsaturated soil slopes. In the analysis it is adopted a reference slope with determined geometry according to the typical inclination for slopes in silty clayey sand, characteristic of the mid-western region of São Paulo State, in Brazil. The parametric analysis was developed from a flux simulation in transient regime using the SEEP/W software, which uses the finite elements method, and thereafter, a stability analysis of the reference slope using simplified Bishop method, as presented in the SLOPE/W software. Homogeneous slopes composed by three different types of soil (sand, clayey silt and silty clayey sand) were considered. The analyzed parameters include the water retention curve, the hydraulic conductivity function and the precipitation intensity. It was verified that the hydraulic conductivity function and the air entry value are the main determinants of the infiltration behavior and, subsequently, of the slope stability. The flux simulations have evidenced that coarser soils slopes show higher infiltration rates than the ones presented in finer soil slopes. Consequently, the slides caused by the loss of the suction\'s contribution to shear strength occur primarily in coarser soil slopes than in fine soil slopes, what could be verified in the stability analysis of the reference slope.

A agricultura demanda grande quantidade de água para a produção de alimentos e fibras. Técnicas que determinem e monitorem a dinâmica da água no solo são importantes para promover o uso correto e consciente desse recurso natural. Diante do exposto, a tensiometria é uma ferramenta eficiente na determinação da dinâmica da água em solos agrícolas, podendo ser utilizada em conjunto com sensores de capacitância para a caracterização da curva de retenção de água no solo. Contudo, apesar de práticos, erros associados à instalação e às características das cápsulas podem comprometer a precisão dos tensiômetros. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo testar a influência do uso de lama de solo no momento da instalação, bem como o formato e condutância hidráulica de cápsulas de tensiômetros de punção sobre o potencial matricial da água no solo, tendo-se como referência tensiômetros com manômetro de mercúrio. Também, se objetivou determinar a curva de retenção de água no solo com base nos dados obtidos por tensiometria e de um sensor de capacitância. Os resultados mostram que o formato das cápsulas de cerâmica e a lama de solo influenciaram as determinações do potencial matricial, ao contrário da condutância hidráulica das cápsulas. A lama de solo é indicada na instalação de tensiômetros com manômetro de mercúrio e de punção. As curvas de retenção diferiram quanto aos sistemas de aquisição (manômetro de mercúrio ou tensímetro); no entanto, o modelo ajustado não foi sensível em distinguir diferenças entre os tratamentos quanto ao formato das cápsulas ou uso de lama de solo. De modo geral, ocorreu uma subestimativa dos ajustes das curvas de retenção para os tensiômetros de punção, o que pode levar a interpretações errôneas das curvas de retenção de água no solo quando determinadas por meio desses instrumentos. / The agriculture demand large amounts of water for food and fiber production. The techniques used to determine and monitor the water dynamics in the soil are important to promote the correct and conscious use of this natural resource. Given the above, the tensiometry is an efficient tool for the determination the water dynamics in soils, which can be used in conjunction with capacitance sensors to characterize the water retention curve in the soil. However, although practical, errors associated with the installation and the characteristics of the capsules may compromise the accuracy of tensiometers. This study aimed to test the influence of the use of soil slurry during the tensiometer installation, the format and hydraulic conductance of the capsules from puncture tensiometers on the matric potential of soil water, taking as reference tensiometers equipped with mercury manometers. In addition, aimed to determine the soil-water retention curve based on data obtained by tensiometry and a capacitance sensor. The results shows that the format of the ceramic capsules and the use of the slurry influenced the measurements of matric potential, as opposed to hydraulic conductance of the capsules. The soil slurry is recommended for tensiometers equiped with mercury manometer and puncture tensiometers. The retention curves differed among the acquisition systems (mercury manometer or tensimeter); however, the fitted model was not sensitive enough to distinguish differences between treatments for the format of the capsules or the use of soil slurry. In general, there was an underestimation of the retention curve for puncture tensiometers, which can lead to erroneous interpretations of the soil-water retention curve when determined by these instruments.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ricardo de Sousa Bezerra - 2015.pdf: 3022255 bytes, checksum: bb0af8f3ee8d663be0d877158dd8032b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The application of high level of fertilization and inappropriate irrigation management in substrate cultivation tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) causes salinity in cultivation environmental, imbalance nutritional and physiological disorders in plants, which normally leads to decrease yield and cause economic losses. The aim of this study was to test the effect of different fertigation techniques controlled by an automatic irrigation system, consisting of programmable logic controllers (PLC) and Irrigas® sensors, on growth and yield of tomato plants in greenhouses. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the experimental area of the Agronomy School of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), in Goiânia, GO, Brazil, from May 23 to September 26, 2014. It was used Mascot F1 hybrid that is a mini tomato type grape. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five blocks and four replications in block. The experimental unit was one plant. The treatments consisted of four forms of fertigation management, as follows: a) Treatment 1 - fertigation with application of 20% leaching fraction; b) Treatment 2 - fertigation throughout the day and application of water with 20% leaching fraction at the end of the day; Treatment 3 - initial application of water leaching fraction of 20% followed by fertigation; Treatment 4 - fertigation using the nutrient solution reuse with application of 20% leaching fraction. We evaluated the electrical conductivity (EC) of the leached solution; the nutrient content in the dry matter of leaves; height and diameter of the stalk; number of bunchs; total yield and marketable fruit yield; the fruit quality was evaluated by size, color, total titratable acidity, soluble solids content and texture of fruits. To evaluate the automation system was done operation tests and also an cost analysis to construction of the fertigation control system. The differents forms of fertigation not influence the vegetative growth of tomato; the use of standard nutrient solution with 20% leaching fraction (treatment 1) and the reuse of the leached solution, also with 20% leaching fraction (treatment 2), provided the largest marketable production (1616.85 g plant-1 and 1401.90 g plant-1), fruit production with higher soluble solids (5.82 and 5.65 ° Brix, respectively), and increase blossom end rot in minitomato; it is possible reuse the nutrient solution drained of pots if the EC of solution were adjusted daily; the fertigation control system works fine and presents low cost compared to comercial system control of fertigation. / O uso de elevadas doses de adubação e o manejo inadequado da irrigação no cultivo do tomateiro (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) em vasos causam, além da salinidade no ambiente de cultivo, desequilíbrio nutricional e desordens fisiológicas nas plantas, provocando normalmente redução de produtividade e prejuízos econômicos aos produtores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito de diferentes técnicas de fertirrigação sobre o desenvolvimento e produção do tomateiro cultivado em ambiente protegido e avaliar o sistema automático de fertirrigação utilizado. O experimento foi conduzido dentro de uma casa-de-vegetação na área experimental da Escola de Agronomia da Universidade Federal de Goiás, em Goiânia-GO, no período de 23/05 a 26/09/2014. Cultivou-se minitomates do tipo grape, híbrido Mascot F1. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos completos casualizados, com cinco blocos e quatro repetições por bloco. Cada planta representava uma parcela. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro formas de manejo da fertirrigação, sendo: a) Tratamento 1 - fertirrigação com aplicação de fração de lixiviação de 20%; b) Tratamento 2 – fertirrigação ao longo do dia e aplicação de água com fração de lixiviação de 20% no final do dia; Tratamento 3 - aplicação inicial de água com fração de lixiviação de 20% seguida de fertirrigação; Tratamento 4 - fertirrigação usando a solução nutritiva de reuso com aplicação de fração de lixiviação de 20%. Avaliaram-se a condutividade elétrica da solução percolada; o teor de nutrientes na matéria seca das folhas; altura e diâmetro da haste; número de cachos; produção total e comercial; e atributos de qualidade de frutos, como tamanho, coloração, acidez total titulável, teor de sólidos solúveis e textura. Para avaliação do sistema de automação, realizaram-se testes do funcionamento e a análise de custo para a sua aquisição e montagem. Os diferentes manejos de fertirrigação testados não influenciam o desenvolvimento vegetativo do tomateiro; o uso da solução nutritiva padrão com fração de lixiviação de 20% (tratamento 1) e o reuso da solução percolada, também com fração de lixiviação de 20% (tratamento 4), proporcionam maior produção comercial (1616,85 g planta-1 e 1401,90 g planta-1), maior teor de sólidos solúveis (5,82 e 5,65 ºBrix, respectivamente) e maior incidência de podridão apical nos frutos de minitomates; é possível reutilizar a solução nutritiva no cultivo em substrato do tomateiro corrigindo-se diariamente a condutividade elétrica da solução; o sistema de controle das fertirrigações não apresenta problemas de mau funcionamento e ainda apresenta baixo custo quando comparado aos controladores comerciais.