The present study investigates the influence of a static magnetic field on the physicochemical properties of piped tap water in Basrah province, southern Iraq. Water was exposed to a permeant neodymium magnet producing an approximately 0.2 tesla field oriented perpendicular to the flow. Exposure durations were instant 5, 10, 15, 60 and 120 minutes, and the distance from the magnetic source was varied (25-100 cm). Parameters including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (Ec), dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness, total alkalinity and temperature were measured in accordance with APHA standards methods. Results were compared against the world health origination (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality (2017). Overall, pH remained within the preferred WHO range (6.5-8.5). Electrical conductivity (Ec) and total dissolved solids (TDS) decreased over time, indicating reduced mineral impurities. Total hardness and alkalinity decreased after prolonged exposure, supporting the effectiveness of this technology in reducing scale deposits in pipes. Water temperature decreased from 35°C to 22-26°C over time, indicating greater physical stability. The findings suggest that the magnetic treatment can be considered a supportive, non-chemical option to enhance selected water quality indicators in Basrah province.
Pile foundations are essential to transmit structural loads to the underlying soils and rocks. Piles may functionally or accidently be subjected to lateral soil movements, most often due to the slope's failing nature, deep excavation, soil liquefaction and seismic activities, which significantly affect its stability and safety. This study uses PLAXIS 3D software to predict the response of pile foundations subjected to lateral soil movements. Two case studies were analysed to validate the predictive ability of the software, to test the sensitivity of the input parameters, and to serve as a practical guide for the selection of the parameters in case of lack of availability of complete in-situ information. The behaviour of soil-pile interaction in different types of soils, particularly clay soils, was also considered. The results underline the importance of advanced modelling and accurate parameter selection for the stability and reliability of pile foundations under passive loading and lateral soil movement conditions.
Composite civil engineering structural systems comprising steel sections and reactive powder concrete (RPC) have been receiving greet attention over the past few years as a result of their excellent structural efficiency, long-term durability, and sustainability. Compared to normal concrete, the characteristics of RPC, represented by its ultra-high performance in compression and tension, possess superior improvement in the structural industry. This review systematically presents recent advancements in three primary systems: (1) Reactive powder concrete, focusing on its composition, mixing procedure and efforts made to adopt normal curing method, (2) Composite structures in general, and (3) Composite steel and RPC structures. Special attention is devoted to the last structural system, including the degree of connection provided by the shear connectors and the structural performance of composite RPC and steel sections.
The performance of foundations located adjacent to natural slopes continues to pose significant technical challenges in geotechnical engineering, attributed to compromised soil stability, reduced bearing capacity, and increased foundation settlement. These phenomena are especially pronounced for ring foundations, which are adopted extensively for axi-symmetric superstructures such as silos, oil tanks, chimneys, and wind turbines. PLAXIS 3D software was used for numerical analysis. Some of the most critical parameters studied are the effect of soil properties and the differential settlement between two different regions on the ring foundation. The internal stress responses of the foundation structure, including the distribution of shear force and bending moment, are also studied. Important soil properties, including the friction angle and elastic modulus, exert comparable influences on foundation performance. The research reveals differential settlement between nodes situated nearest the slope and those positioned farther away. The resultant of bending and shearing forces in the ring foundation is proven to be most greatly influenced by slope geometry. The results are essential for the foundation of modern construction. The data will lead to the development of resilient designs for ring foundations on slopes.
As infrastructure development accelerates, ensuring the quality of the subbase layer in roadworks has become increasingly vital. Among various evaluation tools, the Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) test is widely recognized for its practical advantages—namely its ease of use, affordability, and ability to deliver real-time, continuous assessments of soil strength directly on-site without disturbing the ground. The research involved conducting both DCP and SRM tests on subbase materials classified as types B, C, and D, which are frequently utilized in Basra’s Road construction. The investigation measured parameters such as the Dynamic Cone Penetration Index (DCPI), moisture content, and dry density under three distinct moisture conditions, all assessed within a controlled laboratory setting. Results were analyzed using SPSS (version 27), revealing a strong inverse relationship between dry density and DCPI, A direct correlation between DCPI and moisture content and between moisture content and dry density. Three predictive equations were developed for each subbase type. The approach has proven to streamline testing processes by minimizing time and resource demands, making it a credible and efficient alternative to conventional subgrade resistance methods for field-based soil assessment.
This study investigates the application of Ordinary Stone Columns (OSCs) and Geogrid-Encased Stone Columns (GESCs) in enhancing the properties of soft clay soils through numerical analysis using PLAXIS 3D (version 2024). The study contrasts numerical findings with two well-researched field case studies: one in Korea and one in Iraq. The analyses were calibrated using the Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil models, and settlement responses were assessed for different reinforcement scenarios, including untreated soil, OSCs, and GESCs. The results show a strong match between PLAXIS 3D simulations and field measurements, confirming the method's reliability. In the floating case (in Iraq), OSCs increased load-bearing capacity by about 21%, while GESCs improved it by around 30% compared to untreated soft clay. For the end-bearing case (in Korea), even greater enhancements were recorded, with OSCs increasing the bearing capacity by nearly doubling it and GESCs by almost 2.5 times compared to untreated soil. Geogrid encasement is presented as significantly improving settlement control and bearing capacity, with PLAXIS 3D proving to be an important design aid in geoground improvement systems.
Field dry density is a soil compaction characteristic that is useful for geotechnical engineering design. Laboratory methods are laborious and time-consuming. The purpose of this paper is to determine and compare the effectiveness of MLR and SVM models in predicting this essential parameter from the fundamental soil property index level. A dataset of 86 soil samples with various geotechnical qualities was used, containing data such as gravel, sand, fines, liquid limit, and plastic limit. The dataset was split into 80% training and 20% testing. Using $R^{2},$ RMSE, and MSE, the performance of the built MLR and SVM prediction models was thoroughly examined. With an R2 value of 0.988 (on the test set), the SVM model outperforms the MLR model in terms of prediction accuracy for FDD $(R2=0.814)$. Compaction behavior and soil property index properties have a complicated relationship, as seen by the performance gap. According to feature importance analysis, the SVM model's predictions heavily relied on the fines content. According to this study, SVM is a useful method that geotechnical engineers can employ to quickly and affordably estimate compaction parameters in the early phases of site investigations and design optimization.
This study examined the impact of abutment scour around the concrete Al-Nuhairat Bridge, constructed over the Tigris River in Basrah Governorate. Local scour at bridge abutments is considered a contributing factor to bridge collapse. The study included an analysis of hydraulic variables and their interaction with the soil geological formation, which forms a supporting component in strengthening the abutments. The study also demonstrated the impact of these variables on the scour depth using the Hydraulic Toolbox software. The results were then discussed, clarifying the extent of erosion's impact on the undermining of abutment foundations and its repercussions on the safety and stability of bridges. The study also provided recommendations to mitigate its impact, preserve the sustainability of bridge operations, and take the necessary precautions when preparation future bridge designs, particularly in Basrah Governorate.
Soil salinity is a phenomenon that reduce fertility, directly impacting the environment and society. In Iraq, Basrah governorate, salinity is a pressing challenge due to its hot desert climate, where summer temperature’s exceed 50° C. Integrating geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS), researchers can identify high-risk area, monitor temporal changes in salinity, and develop predictive models for agriculture planning and water resource management. Literature review shows that these systems are effective for analyzing salinity in Basrah, providing spatial and temporal understanding that support data-based reclamation plans. However, research gaps remain. Most studies lack temporal updating, relying on satellite data prior to 2015, leaving no updated picture of recent changes despite available high-resolution data. In addition, most focus solely on electrical conductivity (EC) as an indicator, without linking it to the soil's chemical and physical properties. There are no clear attempts to build spatial and temporal predictive models using artificial intelligence or geospatial modeling. Furthermore, the relationship between salinity and hydrological and climatic factors such as groundwater depth, irrigation water quality and evaporation has not been systematically addressed. Research must therefore be intensified, as salinity has long plagued the region and solutions are needed to prevent further exacerbation.
An experimental work was conducted to evaluate the performance of the helical flocculation system. The chapter presents the effects of varying hydraulic and geometric parameters, including flow rate, tube diameter, and pipe diameter, on the flocculation efficiency. Three experiments were operated using artificial turbid water, and the water of Shatt Al-Arab River to assess its practical performance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a laboratory scale horizontal spiral flocculator for turbidity removal from both artificial and Shatt Al-Arab water, demonstrating its potential as an alternative for decentralized treatment systems. The treatment system was successfully operated for the treatment of artificial turbid water. The experiment showed optimal turbidity removal of 86.6% and 85.6% treating artificial turbid water and 83% treating Shatt Al-Arab water. The application of spiral flocculator on Shatt Al- Arab water was validated the results of artificial turbid water showing a removal efficiency of 83.9% at a residence time of 20.8 min, corresponding efficiency for the synthetic water of 85.6% at detention time of 19.08 min. Mean particle size distribution analyses relating system application to Shatt Al- Arab water confirmed the results of turbidity removal and demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment stages in promoting floc formation and particle flocculation.
This paper offers a comprehensive review of column-based ground improvement techniques, focusing on their fundamental mechanisms, design principles, construction methods, and field applications. It highlights stone columns and deep soil mixing (DSM) as the most widely used and effective solutions for enhancing the performance of weak and compressible soils. The core principles, including stress redistribution, increased shear strength, and accelerated consolidation, are discussed in detail. The review synthesizes key design parameters such as column geometry, area replacement ratio, and the role of geosynthetic reinforcement and load transfer platforms. It also examines the practical application of these methods through various case studies on embankments, tank foundations, and excavation supports. A dedicated section explores the pivotal role of numerical modeling, especially the finite element method (FEM), and emerging AI-driven approaches like Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) and surrogate modeling, which are shown to improve predictive accuracy and optimize the design process. Furthermore, the paper addresses critical challenges and limitations, including material variability, installation uncertainties, environmental impacts, and the need for enhanced quality control and long-term monitoring. It concludes by outlining future trends and innovations, such as the adoption of sustainable materials and the integration of machine learning for predictive design and real-time monitoring. This synthesis provides a structured overview of current best practices and offers valuable insights into the future direction of this vital area of geotechnical engineering.