Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential of Soil by Down Borehole Method

The procedure used in this research work for evaluation of liquefaction potential due to earthquake is by correlating the cyclic stress ratio(CSR) and the cyclic resistance ratio(CRR) obtained from standard penetration test and shear wave velocity. Shear wave velocity in the different layers of soils have been determined by the use of down borehole instrument. P- and S-wave velocity data of nearsurface soils (upper 21 m) are analyzed and correlated to depth and sedimentological properties. The results show that the S-wave velocity is much more sensitive to changes in lithology and mechanical properties than the P-wave velocity, which is characterized by a narrow range of values. The data shows that Vs is better correlated with silt content than with clay content for the sediments of the area investigated. While Vs has increased with increasing clay content it decreases with increasing silt content. Model curves for earthquake of various magnitudes have been developed after detailed study and analysis of the enormous data. This model curves serve the purpose of demarcating the zones of liquefaction and non-liquefaction. Using these model curves and assuming an earthquake of a particular magnitude for which the model curves have been plotted, the liquefaction potential of soil if subjected to earthquake of that particular magnitude can be evaluated

Three-Dimensional Analysis for Determination of Anti-Glare Screen Barrier Height

Few models are available to determine the height of anti-glare screen barrier based on two-dimensional analysis. Very limited research works have been carried out considering three-dimensional analysis. A model has been developed herein to determine the height of anti-glare screen barrier considering three-dimensional analysis. Height of anti-glare screen barrier has been determined considering plane, parabolic and spherical surfaces based on three-dimensional analysis. Height of anti-glare screen barrier has been found to be constant for plane surface, and it depends on the eye height of the driver and the height of vehicle head light only and varies for other surfaces. The model has also been modified for two-dimensional analysis and is reported herein. Height of anti-glare screen barrier obtained from two-dimensional analysis is also reported herein. There is no significant change in the height of anti-glare screen barrier in case of surface with large radius. Height of anti-glare screen barrier has been recommended as 1.85 m for Indian situation

Design of Concession Period Considering Risk Management for a Road Project

The design of concession period for build–operate–transfer (BOT) projects is crucial to financial viability and completion risk management. A systematic analysis shows that concession period design involves the design of concession period structure as well as the determination of the concession period length. The concession period may have a single-period structure or a two-period structure; its length may be fixed or variable. Different designs reflect different risk control strategies for completion time overruns. The single-period concession structure requires the project company to assume completion risk, while the two-period concession structure could, to some extent, reduce the completion risk exposure to the project company, depending on the various parameters. Through Monte Carlo simulation, this paper evaluates the mean net present value (NPV), variance and NPV-at-risk of different concession period structures, so that both the government and the concessionaires can understand their risk exposure and rewards. The paper then analyzes the influence of project characteristics on concession period design to evaluate the feasibility of the design. Expected concession period has been calculated using Monte Carlo simulation method, and expected concession periods have been found to be 28.25 years and 26.46 years based on level of service and 95 % risk consideration

Road Project Investment Evaluation Using Net Present Value ( NPV ) at Risk Method

Strategic capital investment decisions are crucial and require careful analysis and consideration. This is due to the characteristics of infrastructure projects that are vulnerable to risks and uncertainties. Net Present Value (NPV)-at-Risk model developed by Ye and Tiong (2000) is a tool for investment evaluation under uncertainties. This paper presents an extension of the model to determine NPV at risk proposed by Ye and Tiong (2000). NPV at risk has been determined using three discount methods, cash flow after payment of tax, interest and principal debt, and the results were compared to choose the best one. NPV at risk was also determined using normal distribution and Monte Carlo simulation method with varying debt equity ratio. The evaluation of the road project shows that the NPV-at-risk method can provide a better decision for risk evaluation and investment in privately financed road projects. This paper presents NPV at risk and return at this NPV with a real case stud

Risk Analysis for a BOT Project

There are several risks in a BOT project. Major critical risks are total project cost and revenue/tollable traffic. This paper presents a sensitivity analysis for a BOT project with a real case study varying equity from 10% to 90%.Traffic and cost are varied ± 20% and financial analysis is carried out with spread sheet, and test results are prepared in graphical forms and presented. Total Project Cost (TPC), Net Present Value (NPV) and Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) are plotted with various percentages of equity. Linear and non-linear graphs are found. FIRR decreases with increasing TPC/Equity, and probability of project risk increases with increasing percentage of equity up to 30 % and decreases beyond this value

Support Loan Concept for the Viability of a BOT Road Project

This paper presents the viability of a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) road project based on support loan concept. Interest of debt is one of the most important parameters for the viability of a project. In India, interest rate is in the range of 13 -18 % annually for infrastructure project. The road project with low traffic and high project cost may be infeasible. In order to make the project viable, support loan concept has been proposed in this paper. This paper presents the changes in values of various financial viable parameters with the use of support loan with a real case study. This paper presents the results of normal debt and support loan with different interest rates and different payback periods and develops a methodology for support loan for the viability of a project. It has been found that longer payback period is also more beneficial. Financial return is more with low rate of interest of debt. The real case study has been compared with support loan and subsidy provision and found out the best option after projecting both values at the end of payback period. It has been found that support loan provision is more beneficial for the government instead of subsidy option for the viability of a project. Support loan concept is recommended for the viability of the project

Optimization of Glare Block Spacing

Glare screen barrier is an important element in highway safety engineering. Height and spacing of glare screen barrier block are important parameters in highway design, since vehicles of different driver eye heights with different head light heights are plying on highways. Selection of spacing of glare block is a complex problem. A model has been proposed to determine optimum spacing of glare block for horizontal alignment. Glare block can be placed perpendicular to the road or inclined by a certain angle to obtain optimum cost. It is found that spacing is optimal when the sum of inclination angle(x) and degree of curvature (θ) is 70º; i.e., x+ θ = 70°

Dynamical Configurations and Bistability of Helical Nanostructures under External Torque

We study the motion of a ferromagnetic helical nanostructure under the action of a rotating magnetic field. A variety of dynamical configurations were observed that depended strongly on the direction of magnetization and the geometrical parameters, which were also confirmed by a theoretical model, based on the dynamics of a rigid body under Stokes flow. Although motion at low Reynolds numbers is typically deterministic, under certain experimental conditions, the nanostructures showed a surprising bistable behavior, such that the dynamics switched randomly between two configurations, possibly induced by thermal fluctuations. The experimental observations and the theoretical results presented in this letter are general enough to be applicable to any system of ellipsoidal symmetry under external force or torque.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Observation of the Faraday effect via beam deflection in a longitudinal magnetic field

We report the observation of the magnetic field induced circular differential deflection of light at the interface of a Faraday medium. The difference in the angles of refraction or reflection between the two circular polarization components is a function of the magnetic field strength and the Verdet constant. The reported phenomena permit the observation of the Faraday effect not via polarization rotation in transmission, but via changes in the propagation direction in refraction or in reflection. An unpolarized light beam is predicted to split into its two circular polarization components. The light deflection arises within a few wavelengths at the interface and is therefore independent of pathlength

Chiral molecules split light: Reflection and refraction in a chiral liquid

A light beam changes direction as it enters a liquid at an angle from another medium, such as air. Should the liquid contain molecules that lack mirror symmetry, then it has been predicted by Fresnel that the light beam will not only change direction, but will actually split into two separate beams with a small difference in the respective angles of refraction. Here we report the observation of this phenomenon. We also demonstrate that the angle of reflection does not equal the angle of incidence in a chiral medium. Unlike conventional optical rotation, which depends on the path-length through the sample, the reported reflection and refraction phenomena arise within a few wavelengths at the interface and thereby suggest a new approach to polarimetry that can be used in microfluidic volumes