Soaking

Upon wetting of the gypseous soils, the apparent cementation by the gypsum is lost gradually leading to the collapse phenomena. Cracking and settlement of buildings are incidents. This paper investigates the effect of the time-based soaking process on the shear strength parameters of the sand soil. The soil samples are from site near the faculty of engineering at the university of Kufa in Al-Najaf, Iraq. The soaking durations on the soil samples are one week, two weeks and four weeks. These samples are tested in the shear box with different normal stress then the results of these samples are compared with result of reference sample (non-soaked sample). The results compared with available reported data and performing a probability analysis of the soaked results. The results show a decreasing in shear strength parameter () with increasing soaking duration. The decreasing ratios are-3.83% and-12.68% related to the reference value (natural) for 2-weeks and 4-weeks respectively. According to probability analysis, the safety index equal to 1.73 for -mean-value equal to  after 4-weeks soaking (minimum value).

This paper investigates the effect of the soaking process on gypseous sand soils. The recent research investigates the time-based soaking method on high gypsum contents (29%) of soil samples. The softening of gypsum materials upon wetting process leads to break the bonds of the soil particles and the settlement of structures will be occurred. The settlement value and rate are the basic problems for the geotechnical engineers. The samples of this investigation have been collected from the selected site in Al-Najaf city in Iraq, then these samples are remoulded to the density of 85% of the maximum dry density from Proctor test and moisture content of 4% in the cell of the computerized Oedometer device and under different stress levels (1.11, 2.23 and 4.47 kg/cm 2). The soil specimen is soaked under three stress levels (1.11, 2.23, and 4.47 kg/cm 2) separately. The results revealed that with increasing of soaking periods and stress level, there is increasing in collapse potential of such soils. The collapse potential was increased from <1% after half-hour soaking to about 8% after two-weeks of soaking.

The process of salt dissolution is a reason of structure severe deformation by effective settlement. This paper investigates the effect of soaking process on the soil samples from site near the Faculty of Engineering at University of Kufa. Four samples (S1, S2, S3 and S4) were taken from different locations near the selected site. These samples were soaked for two weeks' duration then tested with standard Proctor to estimate the change in the maximum dry density with reference one (natural samples). All samples experience an increase in the maximum dry density and this increase varies from sample to another (1.02, 18.73, 0.1613 and 5.61%) corresponding to the initial conditions of the samples such as water content (2.78, 8.33, 3.733 and 18.4%). The soil is expected, according to this increase in density, to experience an additional settlement upon the soaking, and this settlement increases with increasing the duration of soaking process.

Experiment was conducted to investigate if seed priming with polyethylene glycol (PEG) activator solutions affects the viability and vigour of deteriorating wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Caxton) seed lot. Seeds were subjected to PEG priming solutions with varying osmotic potentials (-1, -2, -3 MPa) at temperatures of 15 or 20oC for 6, 12, 18 or 24 h and compared to the non-primed control. Highest germination percentage at first and final count, length of plumule and dry weight of seedling were all associated with treatment -1 MPa/20oC/6 h (92%, 94%, 9.2 cm, 0.0133 mg respectively) compared to the control (82.5%, 86%, 7.8 cm, 0.0112 mg respectively).The best values of coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), mean germination time (MGT) and germination rate index (GRI) were associated with treatment -2 MPa/15oC/24 h. There were significant interactions between the factors under study and whilst most positive effects decreased with incubation time the opposite was true at 15oC -2 MPa where an initial decrease in germination after 6 h was restored with longer incubation times. Significant correlations were found between most of the characteristics under study although these did not always account for a high percentage of variation but CVG and MGT were very highly correlated. It was concluded that 6 h in -1 MPa PEG at a temperature of 20ºC resulted in significantly improved germination percentage whilst 24 h  -2 MPa at 15oC was optimal for the highest CVG and MGT. The highest speed of germination was not asso-ciated with the highest germination percentage.

In this work we have analyzed the effect heat treatment on properties of spring shape steel specimens under various heat treatment processes. Specimen was subjected to heat treatment in electric muffle furnace. Heat treatment temperature, soaking time and cooling rate were selected as per phase diagram of specimen material. Specimen was tested for mechanical properties before and after heat treatment. Two processes annealing and normalizing compared with respect to their effect on properties of spring shape specimens in reference with standard data for steel used.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of different soaking techniques on the nutritional value and anti-nutrient substances of red type sorghum.

Study Design: Completely randomized design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Science Central Laboratory, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State of Nigeria between 10th and 27th of June, 2017.

Methodology: Raw sorghum grains were divided into five groups with the first group unsoaked (US), while others were soaked in water (SW), soaked in water/germination (SWG), soaked in wood ash (SWA) and soaked in wood ash/germination (SWAG). All the samples were analysed in triplicates for proximate and mineral compositions, fibre fractions and some anti-nutrient substances.

Results: The results revealed that soaking significantly (P≤0.05) improved the proximate and mineral components, fibre fractions and reduced the anti-nutrient substances of the intact grains. The proximate, minerals, fibre fractions and percentage reduction of the anti-nutrient substances were better in SWA and SWAG samples compared to others.

Conclusion: Therefore, for a significant reduction of the anti-nutrient factors as well as the improvement and bioavailability of the component nutrients of red type sorghum, soaking in wood ash extract/germination is adequate.

— Rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) contains protein (17.41 %) and non-essential amino acid cysteine (0.78 %) and acid cyanide poison (186.00 mg/kg). The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of rice husk ash on degradation of acid cyanide in rubber seed. This research used Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using treatment of rice husk ash concentration with 5 levels of treatments (45; 60; 75; 90; 105 %) and 4 replications. The result showed nonsignificant differences (p&gt;0.05) in degradation of acid cyanide level during aging and significant differences (p&lt;0.05) during soaking. Rubber seed treated with 90 % of rice husk ash during aging period contained cyanide 47.25 ppm and rubber seed treated with 60 % of rice husk ash during soaking period contained cyanide 40.37 ppm.

The kinetics of water absorption by egusi melon seeds was studied by the gravimetric method during soaking for a temperature range of 30 - 70°C to determine its moisture diffusivity. The water diffusion coefficient of the grain was in the range of 5.18 × 10 -8