A hybrid method for quasi-three-dimensional slope stability analysis in a municipal solid waste landfill

Limited space for accommodating the ever increasing mounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) demands the capacity of MSW landfill be maximized by building landfills to greater heights with steeper slopes. This situation has raised concerns regarding the stability of high MSW landfills. A hybrid method for quasi-three-dimensional slope stability analysis based on the finite element stress analysis was applied in a case study at a MSW landfill in north-east Spain. Potential slides can be assumed to be located within the waste mass due to the lack of weak foundation soils and geosynthetic membranes at the landfill base. The only triggering factor of deep-seated slope failure is the higher leachate level and the relatively high and steep slope in the front. The valley-shaped geometry and layered construction procedure at the site make three-dimensional slope stability analyses necessary for this landfill. In the finite element stress analysis, variations of leachate level during construction and continuous settlement of the landfill were taken into account. The "equivalent" three-dimensional factor of safety (FoS) was computed from the individual result of the two-dimensional analysis for a series of evenly spaced cross sections within the potential sliding body. Results indicate that the hybrid method for quasi-three-dimensional slope stability analysis adopted in this paper is capable of locating roughly the spatial position of the potential sliding mass. This easy to manipulate method can serve as an engineering tool in the preliminary estimate of the FoS as well as the approximate position and extent of the potential sliding mass. The result that FoS obtained from three-dimensional analysis increases as much as 50% compared to that from two-dimensional analysis implies the significance of the three-dimensional effect for this study-case. Influences of shear parameters, time elapse after landfill closure, leachate level as well as unit weight of waste on FoS were also investigated in this paper. These sensitivity analyses serve as the guidelines of construction practices and operating procedures for the MSW landfill under study.     

White clover clones as a cost-effective indicator of phytotoxic ozone: 10 years of experience from central Italy

Data collected at one site in central Italy using the NC-S/NC-R clover (Trifolium repens) biotype system during 1997-2007 were analysed in order to assess: (a) its performance under Mediterranean conditions; (b) variations of ozone damage linked with meteorological conditions; (c) if critical level approach is a good predictor of ozone risk on vegetation. NC-S dry biomasses were systematically lower than those of NC-R, the mean ratio being 0.7. Relevant relationship between ozone visible injury and cumulated values of AOT40 were also reported. Temperature and number of rainy days were the most important factors associated with ozone presence and, as a consequence, with leaf injury index. Photosynthetic gas exchange properties indicate that NC-S has higher values of stomatal conductance.     

Oxidative properties of ambient PM2.5 and elemental composition: Heterogeneous associations in 19 European cities

We assessed the extent to which constituents of PM_2.5 (transition metals, sodium, chloride) contribute to the ability to generate hydroxyl radicals (OH) in vitro in PM_2.5 sampled at 20 locations in 19 European centres participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. PM_2.5 samples (n = 716) were collected on filters over one year and the oxidative activity of particle suspensions obtained from these filters was then assessed by measuring their ability to generate OH in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Associations between OH formation and the studied PM constituents were heterogeneous. The total explained variance ranged from 85% in Norwich to only 6% in Albacete. Among the 20 centres, 15 showed positive correlations between one or more of the measured transition metals (copper, iron, manganese, lead, vanadium and titanium) and OH formation. In 9 of 20 centres OH formation was negatively associated with chloride, and in 3 centres with sodium. Across 19 European cities, elements which explained the largest variations in OH formation were chloride, iron and sodium.     

六自由度气锤振动技术与电磁斜面振动技术比较

六自由度气锤振动与电磁斜面振动是两种模拟产品三轴振动的振动技术。由于两种振动技术的机理不同,其对样品的振动影响也会有区别。本文研究讨论两种不同振动技术的不同特点,以及对不同产品的振动效果别,我们可以根据样品特点和测试需求,选择更合适的震动技术。     

交通荷载作用下饱和软粘土孔压-应变分析模型

针对交通荷载的作用特点设计了循环三轴试验,进而对交通荷载作用下饱和软粘土的动力特件进行厂研究.结果表明:循环荷载作用下,饱和软粘土存在临界循环应力比,采用孔压曲线所得到的临界循环应力比要小于采用应变曲线所得到的临界循环应力比.当土样不存在初始剪应力时,随着循环次数的增加,土样的应力-应变关系曲线近似原点对称,但随着初始剪应力的增大,应力-应变关系曲线逐渐表现为一系列平行曲线,峰值孔压与循环孔压幅值均逐渐减少;同时,轴应变的发展加快,但循环应变幅值逐渐减小.当循环应力比小于临界循环应力比时,对于同一初始剪应力,不同循环应力比下的孔压比-动应变曲线近似集中在同一条曲线上.通过对试验数据进行回归分析,得到了交通荷载作用下饱和软粘土残余孔压-累积塑性应变关系模型.     

饱和砂土不排水单调剪切特性试验研究——考虑剪切过程中变化的总主应力方向的影响

利用土工静力-动力液压三轴-扭转多功能剪切仪,针对相对密度Dr=30%的福建标准砂,进行了不排水条件下的单调剪切试验。在剪切过程中,控制平均固结应力和中主应力系数保持不变,而总主应力方向不固定。与剪切过程中总主应力方向固定不变条件下的单调剪切试验进行了对比分析。试验研究表明,当饱和砂土试样具有水平沉积面时,初始固结主应力方向与剪切方向的不同组合,导致单调剪切过程中总的主应力方向的不断变化,从而显著地影响着饱和砂土不排水单调剪切特性。总的主应力方向是影响饱和砂土不排水单调剪切特性的最根本原因。     

A global assessment of chromium pollution using sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) as an indicator species

Chromium (Cr) is a well-known human carcinogen and a potential reproductive toxicant, but its contribution to ocean pollution is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to provide a global baseline for Cr as a marine pollutant using the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) as an indicator species. Biopsies were collected from free-ranging whales around the globe during the voyage of the research vessel The Odyssey. Total Cr levels were measured in 361 sperm whales collected from 16 regions around the globe detectable levels ranged from 0.9 to 122.6 μg Cr g tissue⁻¹ with a global mean of 8.8 ± 0.9 μg g⁻¹. Two whales had undetectable levels. The highest levels were found in sperm whales sampled in the waters near the Islands of Kiribati in the Pacific (mean = 44.3 ± 14.4) and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean (mean = 19.5 ± 5.4 μg g⁻¹). The lowest mean levels were found in whales near the Canary Islands (mean = 3.7 ± 0.8 μg g⁻¹) and off of the coast of Sri Lanka (mean = 3.3 ± 0.4 μg g⁻¹). The global mean Cr level in whale skin was 28-times higher than mean Cr skin levels in humans without occupational exposure. The whale levels were more similar to levels only observed previously in human lung tissue from workers who died of Cr-induced lung cancer. We conclude that Cr pollution in the marine environment is significant and that further study is urgently needed.     

有限元数值模拟在巷道掘进中的应用研究

利用有限元分析进行数值模拟井下巷道分步开挖,对巷道应力、位移、应变进行了分析,改善了应力分布,有效减少了瓦斯涌出。本文利用数值模拟分步开挖并应用于实践,通过现场试验论证得出合理的分步开挖顺序改变了岩石应力集中,减少了瓦斯涌出量。     

刚性桩复合地基的理论、实测与安全性研究

科学合理的设计理论是工程安全性和经济性的保障,现场监测是确保工程安全和质量最有效的手段。本文以提高刚性桩复合地基工程的安全性为目的,围绕关乎建筑物安全的“沉降量”等参数指标,从设计理论与试验监测两个方面开展研究。本文完善了刚性桩复合地基的设计理论,通过现场监测试验取得了第一手的数据资料,可作为今后类似工程的设计和施工参考。本研究为进一步提高刚性桩复合地基的安全性提供了理论和实践保障。     

农药致慢性细胞毒性及基因毒性机制研究进展

大量流行病学研究和体内、体外检测分析表明,长期低剂量接触农药可以导致人体细胞和分子损伤,诱导细胞凋亡。农药致细胞及DNA损伤的机制主要与DNA加合物的形成、DNA单链和/或双链的断裂有关。此外,氧化应激参与农药致细胞及DNA损伤的过程,可能成为农药致细胞及DNA损伤的促发因素。从总体上看,其具体分子机制还不十分清楚,有待进一步研究。