There is a special reason for reviewing this book at this time: it is the 50th edition of a compendium that is known and used frequently in most chemical and physical laboratories in many parts of the world. Surely, a publication that has been published for 56 years, withstanding the vagaries of science in this century, must have had something to offer. There is another reason: while the book is a standard fixture in most chemical and physical laboratories, including those in medical centers, it is not as frequently seen in the laboratories of physician's offices (those either in solo or group practice). I believe that the Handbook can be useful in those laboratories. One of the reasons, among others, is that the various basic items of information it offers may be helpful in new tests, either physical or chemical, which are continuously being published. The basic information may relate

Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

Bio-mediated soil improvement

A dynamic beam on a nonlinear Winkler foundation (or “dynamic p-y”) analysis method for analyzing seismic soil-pile-structure interaction was evaluated against the results of a series of dynamic centrifuge model tests The centrifuge tests included two different single-pile-supported structures subjected to nine different earthquake events with peak accelerations ranging from 002 to 07g The soil profile consisted of soft clay overlying dense sand Site response and dynamic p-y analyses are described Input parameters were selected based on existing engineering practices Reasonably good agreement was obtained between calculated and recorded responses for both structural models in all earthquake events Sensitivity of the results to dynamic p-y model parameters and site response calculations are evaluated These results provide experimental support for the use of dynamic p-y analysis methods in seismic soil-pile-structure interaction problems

Seismic Soil-Pile-Structure Interaction Experiments and Analyses

Consideration of soil as a living ecosystem offers the potential for innovative and sustainable solutions to geotechnical problems. This is a new paradigm for many in geotechnical engineering. Realising the potential of this paradigm requires a multidisciplinary approach that embraces biology and geochemistry to develop techniques for beneficial ground modification. This paper assesses the progress, opportunities, and challenges in this emerging field. Biomediated geochemical processes, which consist of a geochemical reaction regulated by subsurface microbiology, currently being explored include mineral precipitation, gas generation, biofilm formation and biopolymer generation. For each of these processes, subsurface microbial processes are employed to create an environment conducive to the desired geochemical reactions among the minerals, organic matter, pore fluids, and gases that constitute soil. Geotechnical applications currently being explored include cementation of sands to enhance bearing capacity and liquefaction resistance, sequestration of carbon, soil erosion control, groundwater flow control, and remediation of soil and groundwater impacted by metals and radionuclides. Challenges in biomediated ground modification include upscaling processes from the laboratory to the field, in situ monitoring of reactions, reaction products and properties, developing integrated biogeochemical and geotechnical models, management of treatment by-products, establishing the durability and longevity/reversibility of the process, and education of engineers and researchers.

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Biogeochemical processes and geotechnical applications: progress, opportunities and challenges

Recently, the anomalous photovoltaic (PV) effect in BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films, which resulted in open circuit voltages (Voc) considerably larger than the band gap of the material, has generated a revival of the entire field of photoferroelectrics. Here, via temperature-dependent PV studies, we prove that the bulk photovoltaic (BPV) effect, which has been studied in the past for many non-centrosymmetric materials, is at the origin of the anomalous PV effect in BFO films. Moreover, we show that irrespective of the measurement geometry, Voc as high as 50 V can be achieved by controlling the conductivity of domain walls (DW). We also show that photoconductivity of the DW is markedly higher than in the bulk of BFO.

/pdf/role-of-domain-walls-in-the-abnormal-photovoltaic-effect-in-1076aj8hsl.pdf

Role of domain walls in the abnormal photovoltaic effect in BiFeO 3

Centrifuge Modeling of Pile Pinning Effects

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Centrifuge Model Tests to Identify Dynamic Properties of Dense Sand for Site Response Calculations

Closure to “Examination and Reevaluation of SPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Case Histories” by Ross W. Boulanger, Daniel W. Wilson, and I. M. Idriss

The goal of this paper is to promote the concept of testing centrifuge models that include soil-foundation-superstructure systems. Civil engineering research and practice is often compartmentalized, with structural engineers assuming very simplified foundation behavior, and geotechnical engineers assuming very simplified superstructure behavior. Only in rare cases does a bridge or building designer take account of energy dissipation through foundation yielding. Geotechnical engineers typically design foundations that meet minimum required capacity and stiffness specifications; they do not design foundations that optimize system performance. Large scale centrifuge models offer a unique capability to produce experimental data regarding seismic performance of soil-foundation-superstructure systems. In the centrifuge realistic models of buildings and bridge superstructures can be supported on realistic models of foundations with realistic soil behavior. Soil-foundation-superstructure systems have modes of beh...

Daniel W. Wilson

Papers

Centrifuge Modeling of Pile Pinning Effects

Centrifuge Model Tests to Identify Dynamic Properties of Dense Sand for Site Response Calculations

Closure to “Examination and Reevaluation of SPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Case Histories” by Ross W. Boulanger, Daniel W. Wilson, and I. M. Idriss

Physical modelling of dynamic behavior of soil-foundation-superstructure systems

NEES @ UC Davis