Initial Rain Simulation Design:
The initial rain simulation design included wax paper and cheese cloth and a surface of wire screening over the control containment bin. After discussion, we realized cheese cloth was subject to puddling and the cells of the wire screening were far too large for rain simulation. With this design the "rainfall" would be more like a stream of water on the soil slope.
New Design 1:
The first new proposed idea we really liked for rain simulation was a 3-D printed grid model. The grid would have holes so small that once water was poured it would act more like rain drops. An issue we found with this was time. As it is currently Week 2 our control testing needs to be started and the drafting of this grid would need to be completed as well as the actual printing of it. We are still considering creating this grid for use later on in the term or to keep as a prototype. Check back frequently as the design will be posted once complete!
New Design 2:
We decided we may not need a 3-D printed grid, but rather could use any durable material to create the rain simulator. Once a material is chosen it can be sized to fit over our containment area and holes can be drilled into it. We have ruled out wood and corrugated plastic as these are water absorbent. Our other options include non corrugated plastic and metal. After looking at Home Depot online we found a few materials that may be ideal, but would like to visit the store to see them in person and gather other miscellaneous tools we may need throughout the term.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
More Background Information
After attending class today and hearing feedback from our advisor, the group thought it would be a good idea to provide a deeper understanding of how our project will be carried out. The "Week 1 Update - Planning" gives a brief outline of our plans but I would like to extend on that with the following.
The Three-Step Process
The toe wall is a necessary measure to stop soil from sliding any further down an eroded "dune." However, over time a toe wall would become subject to buckling due to the forces and pressure sliding soil puts on it. Our biodegradable intra-soil grid will be the next step to alleviate these pressures. It will provide a more stable structure for the soil. Both the intra-soil grid and the toe wall are still only temporary measures to soil erosion. They are to be put in place in an "Emergency Situation" to allow time for a permanent solution to be derived or implanted. The third step to our process - an erosion control blanket - may be the permanent solution of choice. The blanket will not only cover the surface of the area to keep the soil in place but contain plant seeds. Once these seeds are grown the extensive root network can provide a natural stabilization structure. This plant network is the main motivation behind using a biodegradable grid - it does not need to be removed and will eventually be replaced by the natural source.
The Control Environment and Its Purpose
We plan on creating a "control environment" which shows the sliding and erosion of soil prior to any of the measures discussed above. This environment will be a man-made slope of soil at a certain friction angle. Then a rain simulator will be used to "create" erosion within our model (see "Rain Simulation Design" for more information). After the simulation is run, we plan on measuring the change in angle.
Once the three step process is fabricated it will be tested by running close to the same simulation. It will differ by also adding a load to the top of the slope because only using rain simulation would not be a true indicator of our toe wall's success against sliding soil. The "success" of our project can then be determined if the change in slope angle during testing has decreased from that of the control environment.
Side Notes
The Three-Step Process
The toe wall is a necessary measure to stop soil from sliding any further down an eroded "dune." However, over time a toe wall would become subject to buckling due to the forces and pressure sliding soil puts on it. Our biodegradable intra-soil grid will be the next step to alleviate these pressures. It will provide a more stable structure for the soil. Both the intra-soil grid and the toe wall are still only temporary measures to soil erosion. They are to be put in place in an "Emergency Situation" to allow time for a permanent solution to be derived or implanted. The third step to our process - an erosion control blanket - may be the permanent solution of choice. The blanket will not only cover the surface of the area to keep the soil in place but contain plant seeds. Once these seeds are grown the extensive root network can provide a natural stabilization structure. This plant network is the main motivation behind using a biodegradable grid - it does not need to be removed and will eventually be replaced by the natural source.
The Control Environment and Its Purpose
We plan on creating a "control environment" which shows the sliding and erosion of soil prior to any of the measures discussed above. This environment will be a man-made slope of soil at a certain friction angle. Then a rain simulator will be used to "create" erosion within our model (see "Rain Simulation Design" for more information). After the simulation is run, we plan on measuring the change in angle.
Once the three step process is fabricated it will be tested by running close to the same simulation. It will differ by also adding a load to the top of the slope because only using rain simulation would not be a true indicator of our toe wall's success against sliding soil. The "success" of our project can then be determined if the change in slope angle during testing has decreased from that of the control environment.
Side Notes
- Soil from various places will be used for testing (Delaware County, The Pine Barrens of New Jersey).
- Durable and cost efficient materials will be researched. The proper material may also depend on the origin of the soil.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Week 1 Update - Planning
Week 1 of our Emergency Soil Stabilizer project consisted of forming a solution for the issue of rapid soil erosion. The initial design is composed of an immediate toe wall followed by an underground grid and a surface blanket. The toe wall and underground grid are temporary measures to provide structural support before the surface blanket is applied. The underground grid will be biodegradable to eliminate the need for removal. The surface blanket will contain plant seeds to provide a more permanent solution, as these plants will grow roots that stabilize the soil.
This design is projected to be completed in a ten week period. Below is an outlined schedule on a week to week basis. This blog will be updated weekly with our progress.
This design is projected to be completed in a ten week period. Below is an outlined schedule on a week to week basis. This blog will be updated weekly with our progress.
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