Effect of Emulsified Asphalt on Expansive Soil Strength and Swelling

Some clay soils classified as extended soils threaten the structures resting on them. Many additives are available to improve the properties of expanded soils. This study tries to investigate the consequences of wetting-drying cycles on the swelling behavior of modified expansive clayey soils under laboratory conditions by modifying expansive clayey soil samples using emulsified asphalt. Five different percentages of emulsified asphalt were used: (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) %. The natural and treatment soils were tested for classification, specific gravity, compaction characteristics, free swell and swell pressure, consolidation, and compressive strength. The liquid limit and plasticity index have been lowered by adding Emulsified Asphalt. After that, the effects of Emulsified Asphalt on undrained shear strength characteristics (cohesion and friction angle) have been studied. The results revealed that when the emulsified asphalt content was increased to 10%, the swelling pressure and swelling potential decreased by 58 and 78 %, respectively. The swell and shrink improvement factor for the 10% emulsified asphalt addition is always larger than 75%. As the duration of wetting-drying cycles increased, the swelling pressure and swelling potential values were also reduced. The plastic limit, on the other hand, increased as the Emulsified Asphalt content increased. Increasing the amount of Emulsified Asphalt increased the maximum dry unit weight values, whereas the optimum water contents increased. It was concluded that emulsified asphalt stabilization may be useful for expansive clay as it improves compressive shear strength

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

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

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

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

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