• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.217-225
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• 2016

Linear polarization resistance (LPR) testing of soils has been used extensively by a number of water utilities across Australia for many years now to determine the condition of buried ferrous water mains. The LPR test itself is a relatively simple, inexpensive test that serves as a substitute for actual exhumation and physical inspection of buried water mains to determine corrosion losses. LPR testing results (and the corresponding pit depth estimates) in combination with proprietary pipe failure algorithms can provideauseful predictive tool in determiningthe current and future conditions of an asset. Anumber of LPR tests have been developed on soil by various researchers over the years1), but few have gained widespread commercial use, partly due to the difficulty in replicating the results. This author developed an electrochemical cell that was suitable for LPR soil testing and utilized this cell to test a series of soil samples obtained through an extensive program of field exhumations. The objective of this testing was to examine the relationship between short-term electrochemical testing and long-term in-situ corrosion of buried water mains, utilizing an LPR test that could be robustly replicated. Forty-one soil samples and related corrosion data were obtained from ad hoc condition assessments of buried water mains located throughout the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Each sample was subjected to the electrochemical test developed by the author, and the resulting polarization data were compared with long-term pitting data obtained from each water main. The results of this testing program enabled the author to undertake a comprehensive review of the LPR technique as it is applied to soils and to examine whether correlations can be made between LPR testing results and long-term field corrosion.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.15-25
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• 2013

In this study, two kinds of soil-based proficiency testing materials (PTMs), NICE-012L and NICE-012R were prepared and certified for Benzen, Toluene, Etylbenzene and Xylene with evaluation of uncertainties. In order to analyse BTEX (Benzen Toluene Etylbenzene Xylene) for the candidate materials, GC/MS was used after pretreatment according to methods of soil analysis by Ministry of Environment. For the homogeneity test among bottles in terms of candidate materials, ISO 13528 and IUPAC Protocol were used and according to the result, both candidate materials showed sufficient homogeneity. Also, the stability test over the candidate materials was accessed according to the ISO Guide 35 by classifying short-term and long-term stability and the result showed that both candidate materials showed decent stability. The reference values of the two candidate materials depending on BTEX components were derived from the average of the 11 samples that were used for verification of the samples' homogeneity. Uncertainty of measurement was combined by uchar that was caused by a characteristic value, $u_{bb}$ that was caused by between-bottle homogeneity, and $u_{stab}$ that was caused by stability, and then combined uncertainty ($u_{PTM}$) was multiplied to the coverage factor (k) derived from the effective degree of freedom from each factor that leads to expanded uncertainty (U) in about 95% of confidence level. The proficiency testing materials developed through this study were supplied to National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) and utilized as an external proficiency testing materials for evaluating analysis capacity of soil agencies with specialty in terms of soil analysis approved by Minister of Environment.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.317-328
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• 2023

The soil behaviour can be represented by numerical modelling of element testing using diverse constitutive models. However, not all constitutive models allow the simulation of the stress-strain response at the critical state in granular soils with both contractive and dilative behaviour. Moreover, the accuracy of these models depends highly on the quality of the experimental data used for their calibration. This study addresses the modelling of the critical state behaviour of an alluvial natural soil from the Lower Tagus Valley (south of Portugal), known as TP-Lisbon sand, using the NorSand constitutive law. For this purpose, a series of numerical simulations of element testing was carried out using two algorithms performed in Visual Basic (VB) and Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC). Moreover, this study presents the characterisation of of NorSand parameters from an accurate experimental programme based on triaxial and bender element testing. This experimental program allowed defining: (i) the critical state locus, (ii) the stress-dilatancy, and (iii) the soil elasticity of TP-Lisbon sand -all fundamental to calibrate the contractive and dilative behaviour of such alluvial soil. The results revealed a good agreement between experimental data and NorSand simulations using VB and FLAC. Therefore, this study showed that the quality of laboratory testing procedures and its good interpretation enables NorSand constitutive law to capture representatively the non-associated plastic strains, often expressed by the state parameter, allowing a representation of soil behaviour of alluvial soils within the critical state soil mechanics framework for different state parameters.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.808-813
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• 2011

This study was conducted to reduce the dependability of farmers on chemical fertilizers for rice cultivation. Soil chemical and biological properties were monitored before experiment and at the time of harvesting. The results showed that EC, available $SiO_2$, and exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased at the time of harvesting while pH, OM, and exchangeable $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ were remain unchanged, compared with soil before experiment. Population of aerobic bacteria, Bacillus sp., and fungi were also increased at the time of harvesting in the paddy field, compared with before fertilization, in the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. Concentrations of N, P, and K in rice leaves increased with the fertilizers application, maximum increase was recorded in 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. Non-significant difference was observed in the morphological parameters of rice among the treatments. The chlorophyll contents of rice leaf increased in a similar fashion up to 60 days, thereafter, sharp decrease was observed in all the treatments. Maximum yield (per 10a) was recorded in the field treated with 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost followed by standard applied fertilizer, 70% soil-testing fertilizer+ 30% compost, soil-testing fertilizer and unfertilized plot. Amylose content showed non-significant difference within the treatments. Protein content increased with the use of fertilizers and best protein content was recorded in the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost. It was concluded that the amount of the chemical fertilizer used was directly proportional to the protein content of rice grain. However, the palatability of rice grown in unfertilized field was better than the treatments but minimum yield was obtained. Hence, the treatment of 50% soil-testing fertilizer+ 50% compost, was the best among the fertilizer combinations for rice cultivation as supported by the yield, protein and palatability index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.9-14
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• 2002

It is common that the soil layer is few meters below the earth surface and there are rock masses below the soil layer in the view of geological characteristics in Korea. The boundary between rock and soil is clearly divided. When dealing with the stability of rock masses, as in the case of rock slopes or dam foundations, the majority of the collapses is not within the soil layer, but within the soil-rock boundary. Therefore, it is important to identify the shear strength characteristics between soil-rock contacts. It has been common practice to assume that the strength of the soil or shale represents the minimum strength present. However, it has been suggested by Patton(1968) that such an assumption may not be valid and that lower shear strengths might be obtained along the soil-rock interface than for either material alone. Then, in this thesis, introduce rock and residual soil shear strength tests and the specimen preparation and testing procedures are described in detail and also the testing results are presented and discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.231-244
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• 2023

Many of the recent investigations in the field of geotechnical engineering focused on the bearing capacity theories of multilayered soil. A number of factors affect the bearing capacity of the soil, such as soil properties, applied overburden stress, soil layer thickness beneath the footing, and type of design analysis. An extensive number of finite element model (FEM) simulation was performed on a prototype slope with various abovementioned terms. Furthermore, several non-linear artificial intelligence (AI) models are developed, and the best possible neural network system is presented. The data set is from 3443 measured full-scale finite element modeling (FEM) results of a circular shallow footing analysis placed on layered cohesionless soil. The result is used for both training (75% selected randomly) and testing (25% selected randomly) the models. The results from the predicted models are evaluated and compared using different statistical indices (R² and RMSE) and the most accurate model BBO (R²=0.9481, RMSE=4.71878 for training and R²=0.94355, RMSE=5.1338 for testing) and TLBO (R²=0.948, RMSE=4.70822 for training and R²=0.94341, RMSE=5.13991 for testing) are presented as a simple, applicable formula.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.1297-1302
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• 2007

It is very important to evaluate the reliable deformational characteristics of soils not only in the analysis of geotechnical structures under working stress conditions as foundation in railroad or road system but also for the soil dynamic problems. Different testing techniques are likely to have different testing conditions as strain amplitude, stress level, loading frequency and number of loading cycles. The deformational characteristics of soils can be affected by these variables. In this paper, the effects on modulus of soils subjected to cyclic load were investigated. For the evaluation of deformational characteristics of soils subjected cyclic load, various testing such as TS, RC, TX, and FFRC tests were performed. It was shown that the modulus evaluated by various testing methods are comparable to each other fairly well when the effects of these factors were properly taken into account. For reliable evaluation, therefore, those effects on the modulus need to be considered, and measured values should be effectively adjusted to actual conditions where the soil is working.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.223-235
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• 2006

Soil testing laboratories unfamiliar with turfgrasses will often overestimate the plant's need for phosphorus and underestimate the need for potassium. This is partly due to differences in rooting between grasses and many garden plants and crops. The grasses are generally more efficient in extracting phosphorus from the soil, reducing their need for phosphorus fertilizer. The fact that crop yield is often the primary objective in field crop production, and is usually of little interest in turfgrass management, may affect soil test interpretation for potassium. Potassium levels above those required for maximum tissue yield of grasses may improve stress tolerance and turfgrasses will usually benefit from higher applications of this element. There are also diffrrences in soil testing philosophies. Some laboratories use the sufficiency level of available nutrients(SLAN) approach, whereas others prefer the basic cation saturation ratio(BCSR) approach. Some will use a combination of the two methods. The use of the BCSR theory easily lends itself to abuse and questionable fertilizer applications and products are sometimes recommended citing imbalances in cation ratios. The usefulness of the BCSR ratio theory of soil testing varies with soil texture and interpretations on tests performed on sand-based media are particularly a problem. Other soil testing problems occur when sand-based media used on sports fields and golf greens contain free calcium carbonate. The ammonium acetate extractant at pH 7.0 dissolves excessive amounts of calcium that can bias cation exchange capacity measurements and measurements of cation ratios. Adjusting the pH of the extractant to 8.1 can improve the accuracy of the testing procedure for calcareous media.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.401-406
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• 2000

Spilling of petroleum hydrocarbons such as gasoline, motor oils, and diesel fuel from underground storage tanks (USTs) is a major source of contamination to ground water and soils. In response to the need of developing an effective and economical cleanup technique, this study investigates the effectiveness of using sonication to enhance the soil flushing method. The study involves laboratory testing, and the testing was conducted using a specially designed and fabricated device to determine the effect of sonication on contaminant removal. The sonication was applied at 20 kHz frequency under different power levels. Test soil was Joomoonjin Sand, and diesel fuel was used as a contaminant of soil flushing test. The results of the investigation show that sonication enhanced the contaminant removal from soils significantly, and the degree of enhancement varied with power levels of sonication. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the flushing method with sonication has a great potential to become an effective method for removing petroleum hydrocarbons from the contaminated ground.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.48-59
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• 2018

Beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), thallium (Tl) and vanadium (V) are candidates of 21 priority soil pollutants in Korea. The distribution of their concentration in soils from three contamination sources including industrial, roadside and mining areas was investigated. Concentrations of the metals were evaluated quantitatively using pollution indices and the fractionation of metals was conducted using modified SM&T (Standards Measurements and Testing programme) sequential extraction. Concentrations of the metals for all samples from industrial and roadside soils were within the range of natural background levels, while some of Be in soils from abandoned mines exceeded that the range. Enrichment Factor (EF) and Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI) for Be, Co, Tl and V showed that there are effects or possibilities of anthropogenic activities. Pollution Load Index (PLI) analyses indicated all investigated sites needed further monitoring. The results of sequential extractions indicated mobile fractions (F1+F2) of Be, Tl and V were below 30% except some of Co in soil, which implies their low mobility to neighboring environment media. Variable tools like sequential extraction, comparison with background/actual concentration and pollution indices, as well as aqua regia extraction should be considered when evaluating Be, Co, Tl, V in soil.