Bamboo is a naturally available, fast growing and renewable resource. Bamboo plants are found all over the world in tropical and non-tropical regions. Asia pacific region is specifically rich in bamboo biodiversity. Due to high energy demand of existing construction materials and scarcity of...

The assessment of existing water supply services was carried out through selected performance indicators with the aim of using that data in future for strategic planning of urban Mardan. The key performance indictors studied were selected to assess both the quantity and quality of water. The quality of water was assessed by turbidity, pH, and E-coli tests for samples collected at the start, middle, and tail end of the distribution system. The quantity of water supplied was measured by calculating discharges from water tapes at the three selected locations in the distribution system. A total of thirty samples were collected from ten union councils out of fourteen covering urban Mardan. A number of issues are highlighted in the overall water supply infrastructure and short, mid, and long term remedial measures are recommended. The results are presented in the form of an interactive map using Google Earth and VBA based dynamic database. It was found that the overall quality of water is generally acceptable for drinking. However, the presence of bacteria is an issue in many cases which needs to be resolved. A significant decrease in discharge is observed in the distribution systems away from the source due to leakages and illegal connections. A comprehensive overhaul of both management and infrastructure is required for sustainable and satisfactory level of services.

This paper presents the findings of a study carried out for evaluation of the mechanical behavior of lightweight concrete by the use of lightweight aggregate. Pumice, a rock resulting from cooling of lava, having entrapped air bubbles, has been used as a lightweight coarse aggregate. Evaluation...

This paper presents the outcome of a research study aimed at the performance evaluation of rice husk ash as partial replacement of cement in sandcrete blocks used as masonry units. Rice husk from rice cultivated in the North of Pakistan was used in the study. It was first combusted in a locally...

This study presents experimental investigation of indigenous clays mixed with Bentonite to assess their suitability in potential use as clay liners. Soil samples with 0, 4, 8, and 12% Bentonite content from three different sites in Peshawar region were tested for various geotechnical properties. Grain size distribution, specific gravity, Atterberg limits and free swell were found through laboratory tests using appropriate ASTM procedures. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content were calculated using Atterberg limits in available relationships. Finally, one dimensional consolidation tests were conducted to find relevant parameters for calculating hydraulic conductivity. A decrease in specific gravity, increase in free swell, and in optimum moisture content, decline in maximum dry density and hydraulic conductivity was observed with increase in Bentonite content across all three soil samples. During free swell, the soil clusters become larger leading to formation of floccules resulting in the narrowing of inter-particle space and thus blocking of permeable paths. It is concluded that 8% Bentonite content by weight yields a suitable mixture for a clay liner that has hydraulic conductivity in the range of recommended limits.

Lime column (LC) is an effective method for ground improvement which causes reduction in settlement and enhancement in bearing capacity of soft soils, subsequently resulting in economical foundations. This study investigates the effects of LC on soft soil with the help of laboratory tests. Firstly, basic laboratory tests are performed on natural soil followed by load deformation tests on untreated and LC treated soils. LC effects on natural soil are studied by changing various parameters like shear strength of soil (54 kPa, 32 kPa, 14 kPa), slenderness ratio (4, 5.5, and 7) and spacing to diameter ratio (2, 3). Experimental results show that LC significantly increases load carrying capacity and stiffness for soils having higher shear strength. For soil samples of 54 kPa and 32 kPa, the load carrying capacity increases by 48 and 21% respectively whereas 75% increase in average stiffness (β = 1.75) is observed. However, LC are found to be ineffective at very low shear strength of 14 kPa. In case of group LC, increasing column spacing from 2 to 3D (D: diameter of LC) significantly decreases load carrying capacity of treated soil. It is also observed that increase in LC slenderness ratio causes a decrease in ultimate load carrying capacity.