Improving Characteristics of Clayey Soil Using Basalt Fibre, Construction and Demolition Waste and Calcium Carbide

When exposed to changes in moisture, highly compressible clay soils usually show the characteristic of swelling and shrinking and have very poor strength properties. The infrastructures standing on such soil produce fractures as a result of this feature, making the buildings unstable and liable to collapse. By enhancing  the characteristics of clayey soils using soil stabilization can improve their engineering properties. The purpose of this paper tends to investigate the use of construction and demolition waste (C&D), basalt fibre (BF) and calcium carbide (CCR) for stabilization of highly compressible clayey soil. Several laboratory experiments including differential free swell (DFS), Atterberg limits, standard proctor and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) are conducted on soil alone and in combination with admixtures used. Based on UCS result, optimum percentages of C&D waste, basalt fibre and calcium carbide obtained were further tested for California bearing ratio (CBR). The findings show rising UCS and CBR values with addition of 21% C&D waste, 0.3% basalt fibre and 4% calcium carbide in combination to each other with clayey soil. The thickness for flexible pavement was developed using IITPAVE software for CBR values based on specifications of IRC: 37-2018. The software results revealed a decrease in pavement thickness for all combinations of commercial vehicle daily counts of 1000, 3000, and 5000. When clayey soil is combined with C&D waste (21%), BF (0.3%), and CCR (4%) in combination, the greatest reduction in subgrade layer thickness and cost is observed. This method not only improves the geotechnical characteristics of the subgrade layer, aids in decreasing the thickness of the pavement, is highly cost-effective, and resolves the issue of disposal of C&D waste and environmental degradation due to CCR.   &nbsp

Densities and magnetic susceptibilities of Precambrian rocks of different metamorphic grade (Southern Indian Shield)

Densities of 1294 Precambrian rocks from the Southern Indian Shield, confined to low-grade granite-greenstone (Karnataka) and high-grade granulite (Eastern Ghats Belt) terrains are presented and categorized into 16 metamorphic and igneous varieties. In Karnataka, densities of granites (2.65 g/cm3), gneisses (2.68 g/cm3) and granodiorites (2.73 g/cm3) are considerably less than those of greenstone belts (2.84 g/cm3) and dolerites (3.03 g/cm3). An average density of 2.75 g/cm3 is obtained for surface rocks from this terrain. Over the Eastern Ghats belt, densities of charnockites range from 2.71 g/cm3 to 3.12 g/cm3 as they vary from acidic to ultrabasic composition. An average density of 2.85 g/cm 3 is obtained for surface rocks from this belt. The contrast in the average densities of surface rocks from the lowand high-grade terrains may play a significant role in a proper assessment of the regional gravity fields over these terrains. The results compare well with the data from similar terrains in other shield regions. Magnetic susceptibilities for 482 of these samples are also presented. All the rock types include a wide range of susceptibilities, as is to be anticipated in metamorphic terrains. A plot of density versus magnetic susceptibility for thirteen of these rock types suggests a linear relationship.           ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/y009916 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/251 &nbsp

Impact of Social Networking Sites (SNS) on College Students: A Case Study of Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Science (RIPANS), Aizawl

The present study examines the impact of Social Networking Sites on college students of Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing (RIPANS), Aizawl. The study focused on the SNSs usage on academic performance, both positive and negative influence, the purpose and problem faced by the students in using SNSs. 150 well-structured questionnaires were distributed to the randomly selected students of RIPANS to find out the impact of using SNSs for their academic performance, out of which 146 students have responded. The collected data is further analyzed and presented in tables followed by charts with interpretation. The findings of the study show that all the respondents are aware with SNSs and used it for sharing information, ideas and opinions regarding academic activity

Impact of Social Networking Sites (SNS) on College Students: A Case Study of Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Science (RIPANS), Aizawl

The present study examines the impact of Social Networking Sites on college students of Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing (RIPANS), Aizawl. The study focused on the SNSs usage on academic performance, both positive and negative influence, the purpose and problem faced by the students in using SNSs. 150 well-structured questionnaires were distributed to the randomly selected students of RIPANS to find out the impact of using SNSs for their academic performance, out of which 146 students have responded. The collected data is further analyzed and presented in tables followed by charts with interpretation. The findings of the study show that all the respondents are aware with SNSs and used it for sharing information, ideas and opinions regarding academic activity

Additions to wood decaying fungi of India

Three resupinate wood decaying fungi, namely Australohydnum dregeanum, Hjortstamia friesii (Phanerochaetaceae), Schizopora flavipora (Schizoporaceae) are reported for the first time from India. These fungi were collected on stored wood of Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia tomentosa and Lannea coromandelica from different wood depots of Chhattisgarh, India

Potential of biogas production from food waste in a uniquely designed reactor under lab conditions

An original digester design is adopted in building a lab scale 20 L biogas plant. The novelty is the digester has a recycling line apart from other inclusions (inlet, outlet, gasline etc.) including water seal. Initially cow dung (inoculum) was added. After initial gas production, cow dung in the digester was co digested with food waste. Main ingredients of the food waste included rice, vegetable peelings, cucumber, bitter gourd etc., This waste had slightly higher solids and volatile solids (9.3% and 94.9%) content compared to cow dung (8.5% and 93.1%). The biogas volume was determined by measuring the downward movement of the water line and calculating the volume of the water that was displaced by gas. The loading rate of the digester in terms of Total solids was 16.6 kg/ (m3 *day). The amount of biogas production starting from the 16th to the 23rd day was 6.7L. This biogas did not burn. The failure to burn was probably due to low methane and a high carbon dioxide concentration in the biogas. After the 23rd day 650 mL biogas was ignited using a match stick. The total biogas yield recorded was 68.50L for a period of 60 days. The lab temperature was between 30- 340C. Maximum microbial counts of 6.21*104 colonies / mL were observed during the peak of biogas production. The phosphate content was recorded 1.027 mg/100g (slurry content) on the 60th day. The volatile solids finally reduced to 81.66% of total solids. This volatile solids reduction/destruction/ leads to conversion of biogas. The volume of biogas produced from the amount volatile solids destroyed calculated using the ideal gas law was 51Litres. In an Indian scenario, food waste can become a good feedstock for biogas production at Indian households instead of going to the dump yards or being burnt along with plastic/polythene cover. Of the different types of organic wastes available food waste holds highest potential of economic exploitation as it contains high amount of carbon in the volatile solids that can be converted into biogas. The widespread implementation of biogas digesters in urban areas would contribute to the solution of the problems of urban sanitation energy supply and mitigation of green house gases

Potential of Biogas Production from Food Waste in a Uniquely Designed Reactor under Lab Condition

An original digester design is adopted in building a lab scale 20 L biogas plant. The novelty is the digester has a recycling line apart from other inclusions (inlet, outlet, gasline etc.) including water seal. Initially cow dung (inoculum) was added. After initial gas production, cow dung in the digester was co digested with food waste. Main ingredients of the food waste included rice, vegetable peelings, cucumber, bitter gourd etc., This waste had slightly higher solids and volatile solids (9.3% and 94.9%) content compared to cow dung (8.5% and 93.1%). The biogas volume was determined by measuring the downward movement of the water line and calculating the volume of the water that was displaced by gas. The loading rate of the digester in terms of Total solids was 16.6 kg/(m3* day). The amount of biogas production starting from the 16th to the 23rd day was 6.7 L. This biogas did not burn. The failure to burn was probably due to low methane and a high carbon dioxide concentration in the biogas. After the 23rd day 650 mL biogas was ignited using a match stick. The total biogas yield recorded was 68.50 L for a period of 60 days. The lab temperature was between 30-340C. Maximum microbial counts of 6.21* 104 colonies/mL were observed during the peak of biogas production. The phosphate content was recorded 1.027 mg/100g (slurry content) on the 60th day. The volatile solids finally reduced to 81.66% of total solids. This volatile solids reduction/destruction/leads to conversion of biogas. The volume of biogas produced from the amount volatile solids destroyed calculated using the ideal gas law was 51Litres. In an Indian scenario, food waste

Extent of Rock mass Damage Induced by Blasting in Tunneling

Drilling and blasting is preferred method of rock excavation world-wide due to low initial investment cheap explosive energy, easy acceptability amongst the blasting engineers, possibility to deal with different shapes and sizes of openinings. Although drill andblast method has witnessed significant technological advancements, it has inherent disadvantage of deteriorating surrounding rock mass due to developemt of network of fine caracks in it leading to safety and stability problem. The damage in the peripheral rock mass culminates in the form of overbrak and damanged zone. Overbreak increases project cost by more than 15%. The damaged zone extends beyond overbreak. Although significant efforts have been made to assess damage to the surrounding rock mass using different methods, easier solution based on easily available site parameters is still lacking. Authors have carried out field investigations at five different tunnel construction project sites located in Himalaya, India to formulate an empirical correlation for prediction of blast induced damamge for wide range of Q values (0.04 – 17.8). The proposed correlation is based on specific charge, perimeter charge factor, maximum charge per delay, advancement and confinement factor and rock mass quality rating Q. All the parameters used in empirical correlations are readily available to the site engineers and does not require laboratory testing. Data sets of 113 experimental blasts are collected from te five tunnel sites. The proposed empirical correlation has been validated using ultrasonic tests on rock core samples obtained from one of the experimental location