Estimation of Uplift Pressure Equation at Key Points under Floor of Hydraulic Structures

Most of the hydraulic structures rest on an impervious foundation to reserve water at the upstream side. The water heads difference leads to water movement from the higher to the lower head through the porous soil layer beneath the foundation, generating an uplift pressure under the structure floor. In this study, a new method is presented to estimate the uplift pressures at key points by performing sub-surface flow analysis using the Analysis SYStem (ANSYS) software. Then a statistical analysis to validate the proposed equations is conducted using the SPSS software. The case study for this research is a barrage in Kufa city-Iraq. The used data to implement this study was water levels, soil permeability, and length of imperious foundation. The obtained results show good outcomes from using the proposed method to develop uplift pressure equations. The comparison of the current study results with Khosla’s equation showed good agreement where the coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error of estimation (SEE) for the equations were between (99.9–97.8) and (0.024–0.11), respectively.Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-05-24 (alebob)</p

DISTRIBUTION OF SULFATE CONTENT AND ORGANIC MATTER IN AN-NAJAF AND AL-KUFA CITIES’ SOIL USING GIS

AN-Najaf city is located 61 meters above the sea level in the dry desert of Iraq. It is one of the most important cities in Iraq due to religious tourism and continuously developing urban areas by constructing multi-storey buildings, bridges and shopping malls. This study aims to create a mapping database for sulfate in An-Najaf soil (Najaf centred and Al-Kufa cities’ soil). To evaluate the spatial variability of data, 464 boreholes and in situ tests were selected and analysed using Geographic Information System ArcGIS 10.2.1. The adopted method consisted of four steps: (1) data collection; (2) geotechnical data georeferencing; (3) interpolation methods and (4) establishment of maps. Nine maps were produced for depths 0-35 m for sulfate content in soil. In addition to two maps for sulfate content in groundwater and organic matter content for depths 0-2. Results showed that all the study area and for depths 0-2 meter has very high sulfate content in the soil. Sulfate values varies between 0.36%- 14% where all the results were higher than the permissible limit which is 0.2%. The sulfate content decreases with the depth yet still effective in some areas. Therefore, precautions have to be adopt to avoid risks. One of the precautions is to use sulfate resistance Portland cement (SRPC) for all concrete works that have contact with soil. Groundwater sulfate content in the study area was ranging between 84-239 %. These values were ineffective because they are lower than the permissible limit, which is 1460%. The organic matter content values vary between 0.05-2.34, the greatest part of the study area was lower than the permissible limit 1% and therefore ineffective. The PH values indicate that all the study area was alkaline so it is uninfluential

Perceptions about water pollution among university students : A case study from Iraq

This study intends to evaluate university students’ awareness regarding water pollution in Iraq to show the environmental education contribution in reducing water pollution. The study was conducted in Wasit university, Wasit province, Iraq by field questionnaire survey with 388 students from the civil engineering department and engineering college. The questionnaires were divided according to the pollution causes into industrial, agricultural and sewage water pollutants. The data were analyzed utilizing the thematic analysis to assess environmental knowledge and awareness of water pollution risks. The results show that most students have high interest in environmental conservation, yet, a lack of education in general environmental education, as the educational curriculum focuses on theoretical aspects more than the practical ones. The results also show that the media role is inactive concerning environmental awareness of water pollution. This study provides a scientific view of policymakers for potential future conditions to find solutions that achieve sustainability goals.Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-04-07 (alebob)</p

Statistical analysis of the best GIS interpolation method for bearing capacity estimation in An-Najaf City, Iraq

The presence of an economical solution to predict soil behaviour is essential for new construction areas. This paper aims to investigate the ultimate interpolation method for predicting the soil bearing capacity of An-Najaf city-Iraq based on field investigation information. Firstly, the engineering bearing capacity was calculated based on the in-site N-SPT values using dynamic loading for 464 boreholes with depths of 0–2 m, using the Meyerhof formula. The data then were classified and imported to the GIS program to apply the interpolation methods. Four deterministic and two geostatistical interpolation methods were applied to produce six bearing capacity maps. The statistical analyses were performed using two methods: the common cross-validation method by the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE), where the results showed that ordinary kriging (OK) is the ultimate method with the least RMSE and highest R2. These results were confusing so, the backward elimination regression (BER) procedure was applied to gain the definite result. The results of BER show that among all the deterministic methods, the IDW is the optimal and most significant interpolation method. The result of geostatistical methods shows that EBK is the best method in our case than the OK method. BER also applied to all six methods and shows that IDW is the ultimate significant method. The results indicate no general ultimate interpolation method for all cases and datasets type; therefore, the statistical analyses must be performed for each case and dataset.Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-10-04 (alebob)</p

Optimum location for landfills landfill site selection using GIS technique : Al-Naja city as a case study

Solid waste is one of the leading environmental problems affecting human lives. Selecting a landfill where waste is disposed of is a complicated issue that related to many factors and regulations. In this study, the optimal sanitary landfill site for An-Najaf city was assessed using the GIS and weight criteria method. Eight appropriate criteria were selected, which are: urban area, rivers, roads, soil types, elevation, wind, slope, and archaeological, historical and religious sites. Moreover, the weighting of the criteria by using experts’ opinion and previous similar literature. The “weighted overlay tool” is then applied to get a map of the significance index for selected landfill sites. Seven suitable sites with an area of 177,762,986 m2 and form 0.62% from the total city area can accommodate the solid waste generated for a period, not less than ten years10 years.Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-01-28 (johcin)</p

Climate change impact on water resources of Iraq (a review of literature)

Maintaining natural processes and supporting social and economic growth depend heavily on water supplies. However, Future climate is predicted to bring higher temperatures, which will increase evapotranspiration; lower precipitation totals; and changes in the seasonal pattern of precipitation. Iraq is more vulnerable to climate change than other nations due to the underdeveloped and fragile water management systems there, as well as the country's desert and warmer environment and increasing sensitivity to extreme weather events. The present work aims to analyse the literature dealing with climate change's effects on water resources in Iraq. The Scopus database was searched using the keywords (Iraq, models of climate change, and water resources). Most models study the effect of high temperatures and evaporation on water resources using different tools, the most important of which are SWAT, LARS-WG, and HEC-HM. The analysis of previous studies shows that the results of all the literature concordant that Iraq is on the verge of severe water scarcity due to high temperatures and the resulting decrease in rainfall, increase in evaporation, decrease in vegetation cover and increase in desertification

Water quality assessment and phosphorus effect using water quality indices : Euphrates River- Iraq as a case study

Most rivers in developing countries are facing water contamination problem. Therefore, saving water quality by complying with the industrial, drinking, and agricultural allowable standard limits has been difficult. This study aims to assess Shatt Al-Kufa water quality as one branch of the Euphrates River by calculating three types of water quality indices in two cases, excluding and including the phosphate (PO4) consentration, as it was the parameter that most met the standard. The used water quality indices are the Weight Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCMEWQI) and the Oregon Water Quality Index (OWQI). Fifteen parameters were analyzed, including pH value, Biological Oxygen Demand, Turbidity, Total Hardness, Orthophosphate, Sulphate, Nitrate, Alkalinity, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Chloride, Dissolved Oxygen, Calcium and Total Dissolved Solids. The results show that the average WAWQI for three stations, including PO4, were 33.79, 43.75 and 37.62, which is good water. However, in excluding PO4, the water quality was characterized as very poor depending on the resulting values (86.62, 88.86 and 91.91, respectively). The CCMEWQI values for three stations were 63.83, 60.40 and 55.69, including PO4, so the water quality was fair and marginal. According to OWQI, the water quality for three stations was very poor in two cases since the OWQI value less than 59. Pearson correlation shows a good link, especially total hardness and total dissolved solids with salt.Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-09-23 (beamah)</p

Groundwater detection and classification using remote sensing and GIS in Najaf, Iraq

Due to the shortage of fresh surface water caused by climate change, groundwater has become a vital water supply for household, agricultural, and industrial use. Alternative methods for determining groundwater depth, amount, and quality at a lower cost and less effort are critical. This study aims to determine the depth and kind of groundwater in Najaf City, Iraq, using Aqua detector remote sensing device. Thirty-nine sample locations were chosen in rural and urban regions to cover the city’s 441.23 square kilometres. Five geographic models of groundwater depth and type were created using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS software. The results indicate that groundwater is available across the study region, beginning at 100â\u80¯m and lower depths. Additionally, it has been found that the nature of groundwater fluctuates with the location and depth. The findings of this study aid in selecting wells locations and depths in the study region that generate maximum quality and quantity of groundwater.Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-09-19 (joosat);</p

Spatial analyses model for the public transportation and the urban form relationship

The lack of analys is tools that respond to spatial heterogeneity and the failure to adopt them as tools to assess problems, and the low life quality of Iraqi c ities represent this study's problem. Hence, this study aims to analyze the relationship b etween public transportation and urban form patterns using spatial analys is and shed light on the contribution of spatial analysis as practical planning tools to increase the public transport contribution. The importance of the study can be summarised in the following two reasons; the first is the adoption of a new model for spatial analyzes, which is weighted geographical regression. The second reason is the attempt to activate public transport. Therefore, it should be known that makes public transportation more attractive to the user, both for new areas and future development. The study hypothesis includes that spatial analyzes are more appropriate tools for studying spatial phenomena and are compatible with postmodernity. Finally, the current study introduced a demographic and good urban design that fac ilitates the residents' access to public transport services.Godkänd;2023;Nivå 0;2023-05-04 (joosat);Konferensartikel i tidskrift;</p

Bearing Capacity Map for An-Najaf and Kufa Cities Using GIS

An-Najaf province is situated in south-western part of Iraq. It is 70 meters above the sea level in the dry desert environment. The city is considered as one of the most important cities in Iraq, facing a fast population growth and continuous development in constructions such as residential complexes, hotels, bridges and shopping malls. Soil investigation data for An-Najaf Province (An-Najaf and Kufa cities) from 464 boreholes drilled by the National Centre for Construction Laboratories &amp; Researches (NCCLR)/Babylon laboratory were used in this research. The data were analysed and possessed using Excel program then represented on the Geographical Information System (GIS) program by Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) tool to create an allowable bearing capacity map for the soil at depths 0 - 2 meters. The allowable bearing capacity is one of the most important soil characteristics to be considered when making a database for An-Najaf city soil. Geographical Information System GIS program enables to create reliable database for any characteristic and it is one of the best programs to produce an accurate map and allow ease in dealing with it. Those maps cover all the studied areas and by using contour lines, approximate values for no-data areas can be obtained. The results show that the allowable bearing capacity range is 5 - 20 Ton/m2 for both An-Najaf and Kufa cities. Kufa city has the range 5 - 9 Ton/m2. An-Najaf city has the range 7 - 18 at the center, 8 - 10 Ton/m2 at the north eastern part, 7 - 14 Ton/m2 for the north western part, 6 - 12 Ton/m2 at the south eastern and 12 - 19 Ton/m2 at the south western.Validerad;2018;Nivå 1;2018-05-22 (andbra)</p