28 Articles Published

1. ADSOLUBILIZATION OF ORGANIC DYE THROUGH SURFACTANT MODIFIED SILICA GEL WASTE FROM AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: BATCH AND FIXED BED STUDIES (WASTEWATER TREATMENT)

Authors: ASOK ADAK , SUMAN KONER

Abstract: The adsolubilization of organic dye (Methylene blue, MB) was studied in both batch and continuous mode using silica gel waste (SGW) after modification of its surface by surfactant, to be called as surfactant modified silica gel waste (SMSGW). In batch mode, the kinetic study, dose study and effect of different interfering substances were conducted. In continuous mode, the SMSGW packed column was analysed by logit model. The equilibrium contact time and optimum adsorbent dose were found out to be 45 minutes and 8 g/L respectively for an initial MB concentration of 100 mg/L. From column study, the values of adsorption rate constant (K) and adsorption capacity constant (No) were obtained as 0.018063 L/mg.h and 20501 mg/L respectively. The SMSGW was efficiently regenerated by rectified spirit. From the studies, SMSGW was found to be an efficient adsorbing media for dye removal.

Keywords: Wastewater, Dye, Surfactant modified silica gel, Wastewater

Pages: 1 - 5 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-12

2. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ON AIR QUALITY CHARACTERISATION IN THE NIGER DELTA AREA OF NIGERIA

Authors: IGWE O. EWONA , SUNDAY O. UDO

Abstract: Preliminary investigation of air quality parameters in Calabar was undertaken by the Atmospheric Research Team at the Department of Physics, University of Calabar under the sponsorship of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund in Nigeria. The investigation was initially designed to determine air quality indices in three major cities of the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria where gas flaring and other environmental abuse have gone unabated for over four decades. However, due to paucity of funds, the study was limited to Calabar and its environs. This paper is a report of preliminary findings of a comprehensive data collection and analysis of criteria gases and particulate matter in Calabar. Both mobile and stationary equipment were used in the data collection process. The stationary facility consist of AQM65 which was mounted at the geo-environmental field station at the University of Calabar. The station lies at the heart of the city. The automated facility was programmed to

Keywords: Pollution monitoring, environmental degradation, Air quality index, air quality map, Niger Delta

Pages: 6 - 10 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-13

3. ANAEROBIC-AEROBIC TREATMENTS OF LEACHATE FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

Authors: A. ELMAGUIRI , A. JADA , H. BAKRAOUI , M. A. BAHLAOUI , M. ABOURI , S. SOUABI

Abstract: This work aims in developing a technique to be used at large scale for treating leachates which are produced by compaction of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) of Mohammedia city (Morocco). In order to avoid environment pollution, the MSW effluents are usually stored in basins before their treatment. However, sometimes these effluents are dumped directly in the landfill without any treatment, causing, hence, environmental problems. In the present work, anaerobic biological treatment, followed by aeration, were both used, to achieve removal of pollution load of fresh leachates from the MSW. Thus, high organic load effluents were treated by anaerobic process during 43 days, followed by intensive injection of 3.5 L of air per minute in 10 liters of leachate over a period of 30 days. The resulting characteristics of the treated leachate such as the COD, the BOD5 and the turbidity, were found to depend on the importance of the pollution load, and on the nature of the inorganic constituents initia

Keywords: Anaerobic treatment, Continuous aeration, Leachate; Municipal solid waste

Pages: 16 - 20 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-15

4. DETERMINATION OF AN EMPIRICAL MODEL FOR THE DEFORMATION OF A DAM ON THE BASIS OF THE HYDROSTATIC THRUST AND TEMPERATURE

Authors: ELENA CASTILLO LÓPEZ , FELIPE PINA GARCIA , RAUL PEREDA GARCIA , JULIO MANUEL DE LUIS RUIZ , RUBEN PEREZ ALVAREZ

Abstract: The deformational control of structures has its main exponent in the geometric control of large dams. Considering the constructive typology, they can suffer deformation, which is function of the hydrostatic thrust and the temperature that supports the dam under usual circumstances. The project designer usually calculates the deformation that the dam will suffer on the basis of thrust and temperature, but this calculation is theoretical, and it must be contrasted with the real data about deformation that are periodically observed in the dam, in order to certificate the adequate evolution of the structure through time. This research work is focused on the determination of an empirical model that allows the calculation of the deformation on the basis of the simultaneous observations of a direct pendulum that have been recorded with the correspondent temperatures during 14 years. This empirical model is later contrasted and validated with the records taken during the subsequent year. Altho

Keywords: Auscultation, geometric control, pendulum hydrostatic thrust, temperature.

Pages: 21 - 25 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-16

5. APPLICATION OF GIS AND STATISTICAL MODELLING FOR DENGUE FEVER SURVEILLANCE IN DELHI, INDIA

Authors: MAHESH KUMAR JAT , SHUCHI MALA

Abstract: In recent years, Geographic Information System (GIS) has become popular in the field of epidemiology for the identification of unusual spatial patterns of disease occurrences and monitoring. Over the years, global burden of Dengue Fever has increased drastically. According to WHO (Global Environmental Change, Geneva) report, there is a strong indication of inter-annual variability and link between meteorological factors and infectious diseases such as Dengue Fever and many other vector-borne diseases. Recently, researchers have demonstrated the importance of determining the impact of various meteorological factors on the propagation of the infectious diseases and such impacts will be more pronounced in a climate change scenario. To control the spread of any infectious disease, it is crucial to identify areas with higher disease risk. The present work is aimed at using GIS techniques such as Point Density method and Empirical Bayesian Kriging method to produce optimal spatial distributi

Keywords: Dengue Fever; Significant; Poisson Regression; Geographic Information System

Pages: 26 - 30 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-17

6. LANE DENSITY AS MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF MULTI LANE INDIAN HIGHWAYS UNDER HETEROGENEOUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS (TRAFFIC ENGINEERING)

Authors: DEBASHISH ROY , SANDIP CHAKRABORTY , SUDIP KUMAR ROY , SUDIPA CHATTERJEE

Abstract: The increment in the traffic flow demand has forced transport planners to increase the number of lanes of highways in order to provide better functional and operational facilities to the users. Measures of effectiveness (MOE) of a road system is one of the critical issues faced in highway planning and management. Level of service (LOS) is a qualitative measures describing the operational condition of a transportation facility. The LOS concept devised by US-HCM is unfit for direct implementation in Indian heterogeneous mixed traffic condition. This is mainly due to the heterogeneous traffic conditions and vastly unique driver behavior found on Indian highways. Thus a well-defined LOS criterion for heterogeneous traffic condition is utmost necessary. The vehicles prevailing under heterogeneous traffic vary widely in static and dynamic nature. An attempt has been made in this study to define the LOS criteria per lane basis on multilane highways in terms of traffic density, considering the

Keywords: Heterogeneous Traffic, Lane Distribution Factor, Stream Equivalency Factor, Clustering Technique, Level of Service

Pages: 31 - 35 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-18

7. APPROXIMATE BAYESIAN COMPUTATION METHOD: UPDATE OF THE EUROCODE 2 CREEP MODEL DETERMINISTIC AND PROBABILISTIC – REJECTION ALGORITHM APPROACH

Authors: ELISE ZGHEIB , IBRAHIM MOUKARZEL , PIERRE MATAR , RAFIC FADDOUL , WASSIM RAPHAEL

Abstract: The deformation due to creep has an important effect on the behavior of concrete structures especially for their long term integrity. Undesirable consequences may appear in the structures due to incorrect or inaccurate prediction of creep deformation. A large database coming from international laboratories and research centers is used in order to compare the experimental results with the Eurocode 2 creep prediction. This study shows that the Eurocode 2 underestimates the important creep compliance and overestimates the small creep compliance. In order to overcome this inaccuracy, new correction coefficients are introduced to the formulas of the Eurocode 2 using an Approximate Bayesian Computation method based on the rejection algorithm.

Keywords: concrete, creep, Approximate Bayesian Computation method, strength, regression.

Pages: 36 - 40 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-19

8. MOVEMENT OF LIGHT HYDROCARBONS THROUGH LIMESTONE: ANALYSIS OF CONTAMINANT COMPOSITION

Authors: ENDER OKANDAN , SHIRIN SEPEHRI

Abstract: Spillage of petroleum products in soil, rivers and lakes is a problem since the advent of the petroleum era. Contamination of groundwater is one of the most important hazard of spill because it is a threat to animals, plants as well as human life. Fingerprinting of oil spills plays an important role in order to select the best treatment and cleanup method. Factors such as penetration depth of the oil into the soil, type of oil and polluted soil and the age and degree of contamination determine the efficiency of soil remediation. In this study, an experimental model was used to investigate the movement of a hydrocarbon liquid such as diesel oil and gasoline in soil where crushed limestone was the soil medium. A plexiglass cylinder with three ports at three different depths (in order to collect samples) was constructed. It was filled with crushed limestone. The design enabled to collect samples, analyze them and understand the mechanism of contaminant downward movement. Samples were coll

Keywords: fingerprinting, NAPL, contamination, fingering

Pages: 46 - 50 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-21

9. INFLUENCE OF VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN BATHYMETRIES AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE MEASUREMENT CONDITIONS.

Authors: ELENA CASTILLO LÓPEZ , FELIPE PINA GARCIA , RAUL PEREDA GARCIA , JULIO MANUEL DE LUIS RUIZ , RUBEN PEREZ ALVAREZ

Abstract: Bathymetries constitute a fundamental element of building objects settled on land submerged land: dikes, docks, underwater pipelines; in addition to dredges, volume of reservoir, etc. In civil engineering the bathymetry affect areas of small extent in which measures should be the most accurate as possible, influencing many factors in its precision. Among these factors can be distinguished: speed of sound in water, positioning system, vessel movements (pitch and roll) and vertical movement of the boat. Vertical movement of the vessel is perhaps one of the least studied factors, but their influence on the accuracy of bathymetries could be very important depending on swell conditions and depth that exists at the time of measurement. This paper defines a mathematical model based on measurements of bathymetry observed with GPS that lets you define wave conditions that found the boat according to its trajectory and speed. From this point, the article quantifies the effect of the vertical mov

Keywords: Bathymetry, echo-sounder, Doppler effect, GPS.

Pages: 51 - 55 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-22

10. IN SITU DENITRIFICATION OF GROUND WATER USING THIOSPHAERA PANTOTROPHA

Authors: SUDHIR KUMAR

Abstract: A two well model was fabricated to study the application of Thiosphaera pantotropha for in situ denitrification. The effect of varying C/N (Carbon/Nitrogen) ratio (0.92-2.5) on denitrification was observed with sodium acetate as a carbon source. At C/N ratio of 2.1 the reduction in nitrate nitrogen was sufficient to bring it below WHO limits of 10 mg/l from an initial concentration of 50mg/l. At a C/N ratio of 2.3, the treated water nitrate was reduced to zero. DO during various phases of experiment ranged from 5.58 to 2.86 mg/l indicating that highly aerobic condition prevailed throughout. As the C/N increased from 0.92 to 2.5. The head loss increased from 30 to 72 cm.

Keywords: Groundwater, in situ denitrification, acetate, T.Pantotropha

Pages: 56 - 60 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-23

11. THE EFFECT OF SINGLE AND DOUBLE CURVATURE IN OPTIMUM DESIGN OF SLENDER REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

Authors: BARIS SAYIN , GEBRAIL BEKDAS , SINAN MELIH NIGDELI

Abstract: Slenderness is an important factor in the design of long reinforced concrete (RC) columns. It is also a major problem for RC columns which are restricted to lateral displacement. In that case, buckling is effective on the second the second order effects. The elastic curve of the columns may have single or double curvature. The type of curvature is effective on slenderness of the column. In ACI318-Building code requirements for structural concrete-, an effect of slenderness is considered by using a moment magnification factor. In this factor, the type of curvature is also considered by a correction factor (Cm) which is defined according to end moments. For that reason, different flexural moment cases are presented in the present study. By employing teaching learning based optimization, the cost optimization of the columns was done. According to the results, the type of curvature is effective on the optimum design and cos

Keywords: Reinforced concrete, slenderness, columns, optimization, metaheuristic methods, teaching learning based optimization

Pages: 61 - 64 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-24

12. FEASIBILITY OF USING METAKAOLIN AS A SELF-COMPACTED CONCRETE CONSTITUENT MATERIAL

Authors: AHMED MAHMOUD SALMAN FAISAL , HASSAN MOHAMMED HASSAN IBRAHIM , MOHAMMED ABD EL SALAM ARAB

Abstract: By minimizing the Portland cement (PC) content in concrete using supplementary cementitious material, reducing the CO2 emission to the atmosphere is occurred. Metakaolin is one of these environmentally friendly materials. One of the most promising types of concrete is Self-compacted concrete (SCC). This research intends to investigate and assess the fresh and hardened properties of SCC containing Metakaolin by studying the impact of utilizing different cement and Metakaolin contents on concrete flow-ability, passing-ability and compressive and tensile strength. Fresh properties were investigated using new developed test named MSF Apparatus test and compared with the standard tests slump flow test and J-Ring test. The new developed test was highly accurate in SCC indication. Results showed adequate improvements by increasing Metakaolin content and cement content on the compressive and tensile strength. 15% Metakaolin content by the weight of cement as adding or replacement gives the bes

Keywords: self-compacted, high strength, Metakaolin, environmental, flow-ability, fresh concrete, hardened concrete.

Pages: 65 - 70 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-25

13. FEASIBILITY OF USING METAKAOLIN AS A SELF-COMPACTED CONCRETE CONSTITUENT MATERIAL

Authors: AHMED MAHMOUD SALMAN FAISAL , MOHAMMED ABD EL SALAM ARAB

Abstract: By minimizing the Portland cement (PC) content in concrete using supplementary cementitious material, reducing the CO2 emission to the atmosphere is occurred. Metakaolin is one of these environmentally friendly materials. One of the most promising types of concrete is Self-compacted concrete (SCC). This research intends to investigate and assess the fresh and hardened properties of SCC containing Metakaolin by studying the impact of utilizing different cement and Metakaolin contents on concrete flow-ability, passing-ability and compressive and tensile strength. Fresh properties were investigated using new developed test named MSF Apparatus test and compared with the standard tests slump flow test and J-Ring test. The new developed test was highly accurate in SCC indication. Results showed adequate improvements by increasing Metakaolin content and cement content on the compressive and tensile strength. 15% Metakaolin content by the weight of cement as adding or replacement gives the bes

Keywords: self-compacted, high strength, Metakaolin, environmental, flow-ability, fresh concrete, hardened concrete.

Pages: 65 - 70 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-25

14. CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH AND OIL PRODUCTION OF MARINE MICROALGA NANNOCHLOROPSIS SP.

Authors: NYUK-MIN CHONG , CHANG-YU LO , SHIH-TSUNGYU

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the ways that could enhance the productivity of oil by a marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp. Microalgae have the characteristics of rapid growth with ample accumulation of oil in their cells. Algae are photoautotrophs that grow on carbon dioxide. With the yield of oil rich biomass, cultivation of microalgae suits the noble purposes of pollutant reduction and renewable energy production. In this study, Nannochloropsis sp., which is known for its large biomass yield with high cell oil content, was cultured in batch reactors in the Walne medium. Light intensity was controlled at 11000 Lux and culture temperature was set at 32+ 20C. Sodium bicarbonate was the carbon source and sodium nitrate was the nitrogen source, both of which were variables for the determination of maximal oil productivity. pH was held at controlled and un-controlled states. Test results showed that with sodium bicarbonate and sodium nitrate concentration of 12 g-HCO3- L-1 and

Keywords: biomass oil, renewable energy, microalgae, carbondioxide mitigation, optimization

Pages: 71 - 72 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-26

15. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS: EXTRACTION AND TRANSLOCATION OF RA-223 IN PLANTS

Authors: JAN KOZEMPEL , MARTIN VLK , PAVEL NYKL , SARKA PSONDROVA , STANISLAV SMRCEK , TEREZA KRMELOVA

Abstract: Radiopharmaceuticals represent an attractive and efficient treatment of oncological diseases. Medical radionuclide use might bring a particular safety issue with penetration of a radioactive material into environment via urinal and colonal excretion. Therefore, the waste water cleaning and decontamination of food chain ought to be studied. Radium-223 is FDA and EMA approved therapeutic radionuclide for the treatment of bone metastases originating from castration resistant prostate cancer. Its introduction to clinical praxis opened the possibility of Radium retention and translocation into roots and shoot plant parts in the ecosystem. Though 223Ra uptake was investigated in vitro on cultivated plants Avena sativa and Zea mays using electronic autoradiography. Stimulators (Atonik®, Racine®, Rexan®, Sunagreen®, Stimulator Z®) increasing the water transport, the plant stress management additives (Vermaktiv Stimul® and Vermaktiv RP®), together with the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraac

Keywords: uptake, radium-223, radiopharmaceuticals. environment contamination

Pages: 73 - 76 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-27

16. DAMAGES IN ADJACENT STRUCTURES DUE TO FOUNDATION EXCAVATION

Authors: BARIS SAYIN , BARIS YILDIZLAR , CEMIL AKCAY , TURGAY COSGUN

Abstract: Unplanned urbanization and socio-economic changes cause to environmental issues due to the rapid increase in modern technology and industrialization. This situation can lead to significant environmental problems in large cities. During new constructions in limited areas or renewal of existing structures, severe damages, and even collapse issues in adjacent buildings can arise due to the fundamental excavation performed in violation of science and craft rules. The study focuses on reasons of damages occurred in adjacent structures due to foundation excavation.

Keywords: Foundation excavation, structural damage, partial collapse, Inclinometer

Pages: 77 - 81 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-28

17. A PARALLEL MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE HORIZONTAL DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF HELICAL WIRE ROPE ISOLATORS

Authors: GIORGIO SERINO , MARIACRISTINA SPIZZUOCO , NICOLO VAIANA

Abstract: In this paper, a one-dimensional (1d) parallel model able to simulate the horizontal dynamic behavior of Helical Wire Rope Isolators (HWRIs) in both Roll and Shear directions is proposed. The experimental tests performed on a HWRI, manufactured by Powerflex S.r.l. (Limatola, Italy), are first presented in order to describe the dynamic response of the tested metal device at different displacement amplitudes without and under the effect of the vertical load. The parallel modeling concept has been applied to discretize an exponential function proposed to reproduce the variation of the horizontal tangent stiffness at both small and large displacements, thus allowing to simulate the dynamic behavior of such devices by putting in parallel a purely linear elastic element, and a sufficiently high number of simple elastic-perfectly plastic elements and linear elastic gap elements. The mathematical model, requiring the evaluation of only five parameters from experimental data, has been validated

Keywords: helical wire rope isolators, nonlinear dynamic analysis, parallel modeling, seismically base-isolated structures

Pages: 82 - 87 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-29

18. EVALUATION AND MODIFYING OF THE AL-KHATEEB MODEL FOR ESTIMATION OF THE DYNAMIC MODULUS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ASPHALT MIXTURES CONTAINING RECYCLED ASPHALT PAVEMENT

Authors: HAMID NIKRAZ , HASSAN MALEKZEHTAB

Abstract: In this study, a well-known dynamic modulus prediction method, the Al-khateeb model, is evaluated to see how it performs to estimate dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures designed and made based on Western Australian asphalt specifications and materials. The parameters needed for this model are obtained through laboratory tests on binder and mixture properties. Also, the actual dynamic modulus of asphalt samples is obtained through testing the samples which are made with the same mixtures and tested in Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) machine in a series of different loading frequencies and temperatures. Later the results of the model are compared with the actual results. The results showed that even though this model is very common in literature, it does not perform satisfactorily for mixtures in this study. Therefore, some modifications were made on the model to improve its accuracy.

Keywords: Dynamic Modulus, Prediction Model, Al-khateeb model, Mixtures Parallel Model, Western Australian asphalt mixtures, Recycled Asphalt Material

Pages: 88 - 92 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-30

19. OPERATION OF A DEVICE REGULATING FLOW IN A STEEP SLOPE CHANNEL

Authors: CRISTIANO CIARAVINO , GIULIO CIARAVINO

Abstract: This paper studies a flow regulation device, whose operation does not fully comply with the theoretical simplifications underlying the usual design standards for this type of structure. In particular, a flow regulation device consisting of two side weirs with a discharge rate very close to the maximum flow coming from upstream is studied on a physical model. The device is located in the pipe of a steep-slope swiss-section sewer, just upstream of a flow measurement section comprising a rectangular-section venturi. The theoretical analysis and tests carried out on the experimental installation in both normal and critical conditions have identified solutions that, despite their specific characteristics, may provide indications of a more general nature.

Keywords: flow regulation device, side weirs, steep-slope channel, theoretical-experimental testing.

Pages: 93 - 97 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-31

20. ENGINEERING PROPERTIES AND MINERALOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF SOIL FROM MELANGE IN SANDAKAN SABAH, MALAYSIA

Authors: JIN GI KIM

Abstract: A total of five soil samples were collected from melange weathered material in order to analysis the engineering properties and mineralogical identification of the soils. The soil samples were collected along the main road in Sandakan, Sabah. The result of analysis shows that the soil moisture content was in the range of 15.26% to 22.10%, the soil organic content range from 1.10% to 2.32%, and the soil specific gravity in the range of 2.57 to 2.61. Sample S3 and S4 shows the acidity of soil whereas, S1, S2 and S5 was alkaline. The average liquid limit of soil samples were from 45.1% to 59.8%, while the plasticity indexes were in the range of 23.25% to 33.91%. The plasticity chart plot of soil found that S1 and S5 samples were classified as low plasticity soil, while S2, S3 and S4 samples were classified as high plasticity. The result shows that the optimum moisture contents range from 13.0% to 28.9%, while the maximum dry density was within a range from 1.43Mg/m3 to 1.82Mg/m3. The unco

Keywords: soil, melange, engineering properties, mineralogy

Pages: 98 - 101 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-32

21. CONSIDERING KNOWLEDGE GAPS FOR AUTOMATED DRIVING IN CONVENTIONAL TRAFFIC

Authors: AROEN M.G. SOEKROELLA , BART VAN AREM , ISABEL R. WILMINK , SIMEON C. CALVERT

Abstract: With increasing numbers of vehicles using low level automation and higher level automation expected in the future, significant effects are expected on traffic flow. Despite much simulation and driving simulator research on SAE level 1 vehicles, there remain many questions in regard to the effects of the systems on traffic flow. The effects of higher levels of automation are even more difficult to estimate, as these vehicles are not even present on roads at this time, let alone in sufficient numbers to analyze. In this research, we propose a methodology for a-priori analysis of potential conflict situations: Method for Explorative TRaffic scenario Observation and Analysis (METRO-A). It is applied to the case of automated driving in conventional traffic to analyze potential difficulties that SAE level 3 and 4 and higher vehicles may encounter in mixed traffic conditions, for a weaving section case-study. Furthermore, a set of important research questions are constructed that are relevant

Keywords: Automated driving, Traffic flow, Vehicle automation

Pages: 102 - 111 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-33

22. ANALYSIS OF CREDIT RATIONING AMONG CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES SMES WITHIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: A CASE OF GAUTENG PROVINCE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Authors: JUSTUS NGALA AGUMBA , NAZEEM ANSARY , OLANREWAJU ABDUL BALOGUN

Abstract: Economic diversification is a key policy goal for the Government of South Africa. SMEs offer a feasible option towards the actualization of this goal. The expansion of construction SMEs in South Africa, however is constrained by lack of access to bank credit. This constrained access to credit is argued in the literature to be due to the credit rationing behavior of banks emanating from asymmetric information in credit markets. Constrained access to credit stifles the growth potential of this vibrant sector which is increasingly generating employment opportunities especially for young enterprises. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 2007). This study therefore investigated the factors that influence the credit rationing behavior of banks towards SMEs. A deductive methodological approach was used to examine this problem. The structured survey questionnaire was administered to 179 construction small and medium organizations to elicit relevant data about their credit rationing. Binary l

Keywords: Credit , Rationing, Among,, Construction, Enterprises SMEs

Pages: 112 - 121 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-56

23. INFLUENCE OF TIRE WASTE OVER DURABILITY OF POLYMER CONCRETE

Authors: BARAN IRINA , BARBUTA MARINELA , BUCUR ROXANA DANA , HARJA MARIA

Abstract: Capitalization of tires waste is a priority problem determinate by the large quantities of these waste and environmental impact generated. In this paper we recommended capitalization with obtaining of new material with improved proprieties. The durability of a new polymer concrete with tires waste powder is presented in this paper. Durability characteristics such as: water adsorption, the chemical resistance, frost thaw cycles resistance, and thermal shock strength were performed. Influence of resin content and filler content were analysed. Thermo-physical tests have shown a very good behaviour of epoxy concrete with tires powder subjected to different types of aggressive agents, compared with that of witness polymer concrete, without addition. Results show that polymer concrete with tire powder display a very good behaviour to: frost-thaw cycles, thermal shock and chemical attack. The use of tires wastes in polymer concrete may help to improve the environment by elimination of a pollu

Keywords: durability, epoxy resin, polymer concrete, recycles, tire waste

Pages: 122 - 127 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-57

24. USING ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS FOR FINDING SUITABLE SITES FOR SOLAR POWER PLANTS

Authors: AMIN BASIRI , ANAHID BASIRI , NEDA NOURI

Abstract: The demand for the renewable energy sources is very high and this is mainly due to the fact that fossil fuels are finishing and they may not be environmental friendly. While it is highly important that the remaining amount of non-renewable energy resources are preserved for the future generations, other resources of energy can become more and more important. This is in particular very important for the developing countries such as Iran, which most of its export income is on the basis of selling oil, despite the huge potential of using renewable resources such as wind and solar; The amount of solar energy reception and average annual sunny hours (i.e. over 2900 hours), Iran is considered as one of the suitable countries in terms of capability for creating solar power plants. In the present paper, it has been attempted to recognize the appropriate locations to take advantage of this energy. In this regard, at first, the influencing factors on the solar energy are investigated, and then,

Keywords: Solar Energy, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Hybrid Fuzzy-AHP Algorithm.

Pages: 128 - 132 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-63

25. THE STRESS FIELDS OUTSIDE AN ELLIPSOIDAL INHOMOGENEITY BY ELLIPSOIDAL POTENTIALS AND EQUIVALENT INCLUSION METHOD

Authors: SHYH-CHYANG LIN

Abstract: By applying the equivalent inclusion method and utilizing ellipsoidal harmonic functions, the stress fields of an infinite body which contains an ellipsoidal inhomogeneity were solved and given in closed form. Since ellipsoidal coordinates are used, the stresses along the principal axes and on the surface of the ellipsoid are easily calculated. The exact solution is presented for an infinite elastic medium which contains an ellipsoidal inhomogeneity subjected to principal stresses at infinity. The equivalent inclusion method is applied to obtain the stress field of ellipsoidal inhomogeneity that is used to solve the stress fields outside the inhomogeneity. The difference of this approach and the Eshelby’s method is that in our analysis the ellipsoidal coordinates are employed and the corresponding harmonic functions, Lamé functions are used as Boussingesq stress functions. This paper provides an alternative solution for the stresses outside ellipsoidal inhomogeneity other than Eshelby’

Keywords: tress, Fields , Outside, Ellipsoidal, Inhomogeneity, Ellipsoidal, Potentials

Pages: 133 - 146 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-64

26. REGIONAL PLANNING TOWARDS WATER RESOURCES ANALYSIS IN THE ARGOLIS REGION

Authors: ELISSAVET FELONI , EVANGELOS BALTAS , GEORGE BARIAMIS

Abstract: This research work aims at estimating the water balance regime as an aspect of the integrated management of surface and groundwater resources in Argolis in Greece, while the region’s economy is strictly connected with the availability of fresh water. The analysis concerning the water supply estimation - both for the current period and for future projections taking into account climate change scenarios (HadCM2) - was held using a monthly water balance model. The assessment of water resources potential led to the necessity of adoption management practices and some suggestions are presented, including a multi-criteria analysis for the re-planning of the region’s station network.

Keywords: water balance model, climate change, multicriteria analysis, station network, water resources management

Pages: 147 - 151 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-65

27. DETERIORATION PATTERNS OF BUILDING LIMESTONE IN THE SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS FAMILY TEMPLE IN THE ROMAIN RUINS OF DJEMILA (ALGERIA)

Authors: AHMED BRARA , NAIMATOULOUM

Abstract: The Roman ruins of Djemila (Cuicul) provide a typical example for limestone weathering in semi-arid and continental climate. Investigations on the Septimius Severus family temple located in this antic city are conducted, with the aim to determine the mechanisms of the major decay patterns of building limestone. The role of both intrinsic factors (limestone petrography, and porosity) and environmental factors (moisture variation, thermal gradient) are studied. The investigations demonstrate that the weathering process is mainly triggered by rain-dry cycles combined with thermal gradient

Keywords: Djemila, limestone, decay, conservation, semiarid

Pages: 152 - 155 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-114-6-74

28. VISUAL VEHICLE TRACKING USING DIRECTION-BASED PARTICLE FILTER WITH ONLINE THRESHOLD ADAPTATION

Authors: BURAK MERDENYAN , MICHELLE YEO SOOK CHIN , YUCEL BATU SALMAN

Abstract: In various applications of computer vision, nonlinearity and non-Gaussianity must be considered to have an accurate and realistic modeling. In this sense, particle filter is preferred for tracking. In this paper, a modified particle filter which takes the direction of the vehicle into account and distributes the particles according an automatic thresholding scheme is used. After obtaining the vehicle direction, particles are weighted according to their angular similarities to the vehicle. Particles having angular distance greater than a threshold are eliminated. Thus, the remained particles that are moving in same or similar direction with vehicle, increase their own probability of likelihood. This threshold is decided online while the algorithm runs. Depending on the number of particles used, this scheme increases or decreases the threshold. This scheme prevents the system from failures due to insufficient number of particles and also from using excessive number of particles. Proposed

Keywords: automatic thresholding, direction-based particle filter, vehicle tracking

Pages: 41 - 45 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-113-9-09