The shear box test on soil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The shear box test on soil - Essay Example The shear box test has an advantage over test because of the simplicity of equipment used and the ease in setting it up. The Shear test box also tests soil samples under different conditions such as consolidation, drainage, and saturation conditions. Another advantage of the shear box test is that it is easy to visualize what is happening to the soil as the test is being carried out. Various processes using the shear box test determine these properties. In determining the soil, these properties the results of the test are tabulated and graphs are drawn. Interpretation of the graphs is what gives significant meaning to some of the soil properties being studied. Purpose of the test A shear box test is used in geotechnical engineering to test various properties of soil. These soil properties include; friction angle, peak shear strength, soil cohesion, and the residual shear strength of the soil being studied. The key purpose for carrying out the test is to enable geotechnical engineers decide on the consolidated-drained shear strength of a silt to sandy soil. Shear strength is a very important aspect in engineering when determining soil properties. This is because most structures are based on soil’s shearing strength or resistance. Therefore, any time a structure is to be constructed it is important that the soil’s shear resistance be analyzed as the first step to decide on the whether it will be possible to construct. The shear strength of a discontinuity is considered to be of lower strength when compared to blocks with intact material between the discontinuities. These important facts and the results of shear tests enable the engineers to determine important aspects of engineering. These include determining the bearing dimensions for foundations, computing the stability of cuts and slopes, and in finding the amount of pressure that an area of soil exerts on the wall it retains (Price & De Freitas, 2009, p. 361). Brief description of the test set u p The Apparatus â€Å"A definitive test apparatus mainly consists of the following apparatus. Rigid split box that has a top and a bottom these are place inside a shear box carriage, which is box, shaped. The carriage rests on a pair of rollers that are aligned to move along two grooved tracks. The shear apparatus is controlled by a motor, which is also connected in the apparatus† (Huat, et al., 2005, p. 1284). The set up The test is carried out on three or four specimen taken from a comparatively undisturbed soil samples. The set-up of the test experiment follows the following procedures: 1. The first step is to weigh the initial mass of the soil sample 1. Next is to take the shear box’s measurements that are the diameter and height 2. From the measurements calculate what 15 percent of the diameter will be in millimeters 3. Next step involves assembling the shear box and placing it into the shear device. 4. Place a porous stone and a filter paper into the shear box 5. Pour the soil sample, for example sand, inside the shear box and remove the top layer to ensure it is level 6. Put a porous stone on top of the sand then cover it with a filter paper and then place the top plate which usually has a ball 7. After that take away the alignment screws that are in the shear box and using these screws open the gap that is between the two shear box halves to 0.025 inches. After that remove the screws from the gaps 8. Take the weight of the soil again and calculate the total mass of soil used 9. Finish assembling the device and set the three

Do employment consultants need to be trained when dealing with the Essay

Do employment consultants need to be trained when dealing with the unemployed - Essay Example An employment consultant is the link between a job seeker and the company where a vacancy exists. The consultant has the unenviable job of not only matching the skill sets of the applicant with the position, but also to judge the mental make-up and socio-psychological responses of the applicant in different situations. A highly qualified and well-experienced person might be unsuitable for an opening because of his temperament. On the other hand, a lesser qualified person, but with a different temperament might be right for the job. Not everyone is capable of managing people. The person needs to be outgoing, be able to perceive the unspoken needs of the clients and co-workers. Similarly, not everyone is suited for research. A candidate might have the required qualifications, but no desire for knowledge or curiosity. In my opinion, a lesser qualified person, but with an intense desire for knowledge would be better suited for the job. Thus, it would not be only the degrees and certificates that need to be verified during an interview, but also the attunement of the candidate for the mentioned opening. The social background of the candidate and exposure to various situations also holds a key to the candidate’s behavior under different life-situations. Then again, there could be gender differences. Aspirations and dedication to different kinds of jobs could be different in men and women. Though traditionally, men might be suited for a particular job, an enterprising woman might be able to do more justice to it. Similarly, while society might consider a particular job as â€Å"lady’s job, some men might be more suitable for the same. Thus, it is the consultant’s job to sense and discover these aptitudes in the candidates and offer them suitable openings. (iii)The ways in which we look at the world, are known in the literature as â€Å"paradigms†. These influence how we perceive problems and their solutions, and what we choose to

Oliver Stone films representing the war Research Paper

Oliver Stone films representing the war - Research Paper Example 1. JFK: This film portrays the events leading to the unfortunate assassination of President Kennedy. It is assumed that this film is based on two books from other authors exploring the same issue. But while the books attracted acclaim, Stone’s JFK instantly got slathered with harsh criticism. Furious historians and critics argued that Stone’s carefree attitude with important historical facts contributed to creation of a highly twisted picture. However, the way JFK later gained confidence and amassed many Academy nominations raises embarrassing questions about the angry criticism published in American newspapers upon the movie’s release. The way Jim Garrison in JFK investigates the assassination from a completely different perspective implying an infamous scheme within the government responsible for Kennedy’s death actually ended up interesting people far more than any book ever did written on the same subject. In fact, the magnitude of excitement felt by people who read books is dwarfed by the magnitude of thrilling suspense experienced by people who viewed the movie, in reference to how the picture reveals different ways by which powerful people use authority to manipulate events (Rendall). The fact that movies can speak louder than words is made emphatic by the way historical events are intelligently portrayed in JFK.

Stem Cell Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Stem Cell Research - Essay Example In order to describe the problems related to stem cell it is important to know the general features of the stem cells. Stem cells are the basic unit of life for human beings through which other cells develop in them. These cells help to form organs and tissues in the human body and can thus be called the stem of human beings. These cells are now being researched upon so that they can be used in order to cure major health related diseases (Solo & Pressberg 2007). These stem cells are characteristically divided into adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are retrieved from the embryo of a human being whereas the adult stem cells can be found in the organs or skin of an adult. The issue arises in the process of retrieval of stem cells from the human embryo. It is here that the opponents of stem cell research put forward that the life of an innocent is being taken through this embryo whereas the proponents put forward that the life of the child has yet not begun in an embryo (Newton 2007; Stem Cell 2011). In my view stem cell research should be recognized and encouraged because it can lead to many breakthroughs in the world of science. According to scientists stem cell research can prove to bring about new medical therapies in the treatment of certain diseases which were previously considered to be incurable. Previously it was thought that the genetic and nervous disorders were incurable but nowadays with the help of stem cell research some of these disorders can be cured. These stem cells can replace the neurons in the body and can even repair the nervous system if they can be put to use. The stem cells can be integrated into the system of one’s body after which they have the capability to regenerate. This regeneration of stem cells can cause the neurons to form (Newton 2007; Solo & Pressberg 2007). However it is here that the question of morality arises regarding the stem cell research. In order to retrieve the stem cells it is nec essary that the outer covering of the stem cells known as trophoblast is removed. In this process the embryo dies and this creates a controversy in the ethical world. According to the opponents of stem cell research the killing of embryo is just like the killing of an innocent individual. Thus the innocent individual is being denied the right to live which every constitution allows him to (George & Gomez-Lobo 2002, 258). A five day embryo according to the opponents has a right to live and is innocent. The opponents of stem cell research also put forward that embryos which are being used in the research are at times donated and they can be used by infertile couples rather than being used for research purposes. If these infertile couples use these embryos they can bring a life to the world whereas if these embryos are used for research purposes they would definitely be killed. On the other hand the proponents of stem cell research have opposing views regarding the topic. According to them the stem cell research is done on a five day embryo which does not have any moral right because the embryo cannot even breathe. They put forward the fact that an embryo starts with the process of coordination when it is 16 days old whereas a five day old embryo does not even enter the process of coordination (Smith & Brogaard 2003). They also put forward that a five day embryo does not have the mental capability to think or manage which means that they are not yet recognized as individuals of the society. Regarding the infertile couples the proponent state that the embryos donated are not being used by these couples and are rather being killed in one way or the other. Abortion is a way through which these embryos are being killed in some cases. Hence it can be said that killing an embryo for a cause is

The Cornish Villages 4G Trial report Coursework

The Cornish Villages 4G Trial report - Coursework Example 4G enables full fledged IP based communication through a mobile device with every device having a unique IP address and harmonizing â€Å"global roaming, super high speed connectivity, and transparent end user performance† (www.4Gtechnology.com). BT Wholesale and Everything Everywhere (EE) have begun a trial run of 4G technology to provide broadband services to St. Newlyn East and South Newquay in Cornwall. The project has called for 200 subscribers to register for the service that would enable them to receive broadband through mobile and landline services. This report studies the technical, social, user, legal and policy aspects related to this project of implementing 4G in the Cornish villages, to understand the main challenges during the process of implementation. Technical background BT Wholesale along with EE has identified the two Cornish villages to be connected for trial implementation of 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology through mobile broadband that is 10Mb of the total 150Mb generated in the lab. This project aims to prove that mobile broadband technology is more viable than laying of fibre. This project aims to study the viability of integrating two different providers’ architectures to deliver high speed broadband to remote villages within UK. High resolution mobile devices when connected to 4G technology enable streaming video and ubiquitous computing. Technologies like wireless mesh networks and cognitive radio networks are used to allocate equal network traffic over equal bandwidths to ensure secure connections. UMTS, OFDM, SDR, TD-SCDMA, MIMO and to the some extent, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access) are used in 4G (freewimaxinfo.com). While seamless broadband connections are available for users, the connections receive and can send data from WiMAX towers, switching from one tower to the other, being based on IP (Tandall, 2011). IEEE’s (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.22 â₠¬Ëœwhite space Internet’ standard is being used to allow wireless broadband through analogue television signal frequency range of 54MHz to 698MHz. This standard enables lower speeds over higher range of spectrum to cover remote areas that were difficult to connect through 3G internet. White space internet ‘wireless regional area networks’ (WRANs) provide access to at least 62 miles with speeds of 22Mbs which can cover wide areas in the remote villages of Cornwall (Philips, 2011). High speed data with high security and instant download is enabled by 4G which is based on WiMAX and LTE and supports WiMAX Network system (network infrastructure) and mobile phone set. 4G technology enabled smartphones are based on wireless IP connectivity and manages voice data through packet-switching instead of circuit-switching as in the case of internet technology of 3G. Further, LTE which is developed on radio wave technology is said to provide internet facility using both systems as it is compatible with 3G technologies. This feature enables existing networks to be used based on MIMO (Multiple input multiple output) and transmits and receives high data transfer speed while transiting from one mode to another through the same bandwidths (freewimaxinfo.com). Switching from analogue to digital broadcasting services as per the ‘Digital Agenda’, the 800MHz digital dividend sub-band consisting of 790-862MHz

Homeland Security Organization and Administration Case Study

Homeland Security Organization and Administration - Case Study Example The attacks provided the realization of the need to integrate and unify efforts towards defending the country from security threats and identify all the lapses in protecting the nation against terrorist attacks. As such, the DHS was formed with the following purpose, to wit: â€Å"by largely transforming and realigning the current confusing patchwork of government activities into a single department whose primary mission is to protect our homeland. The creation of a Department of Homeland Security is one more key step in the President’s national strategy for homeland security† (Department of Homeland Security, 2002, p. 1). The creation of the DHS through the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) was therefore instituted with the aim of enhancing and duly communicating awareness to impending threats through a system of color codes, according to potential risks and levels of terrorist attacks – from yellow, orange to red (DHS, n.d.). Likewise, on April 20, 2011, it was announced that this system was replaced by the â€Å"National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)—a robust terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color-coded alert system† (DHS, n.d., p. 1). It was likewise emphasized that â€Å"the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were far more elaborate, precise, and destructive than any of these earlier assaults. But by September 2001, the executive branch of the U.S. government, the Congress, the news media, and the American public had received a clear warning that Islamist terrorists meant to kill Americans in high numbers† (National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, 2004, par. 16). The seemingly isolated terrorist incidents should have been closely evaluated in terms of potential links and relatedness to future terrorist  plots.The Oklahoma City attack and the 1993 World Trade Center bombings reported far lesser casualties; as compared to those noted with the 9/11 attacks.

The Function of Performance Management Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Function of Performance Management - Article Example Performance management decides the basis for the future business activities and the processes that have to be given the proper budgets as well as the resources on the part of the organization. The business process reengineering (BPR) aspects are in line with how these divisions are made in the quarter of the performance management functions and boundaries. For the human resources tenet, the role of performance management is all the more vital since it has to devise ways and means through which different activities are sequenced in terms of importance, vitality, etc. Thus it is important to state here that the role of performance management does not end here, though its basis might just lessen a little bit in the financial and different departments that we consider our attention upon. However within the realms of the human resources division, the importance is made more and more essential since employees need to be appraised time and again about their performances and functioning. What this performance management system does is to ensure that the right people get the bonuses, incentives and so on as well as point out the ones who have fallen short on the company's expectations over a period of time. This would help in giving them rewards and incentives which will eventually make one and all happy at the end. Also this will continue their desire to achieve more and more within a specified period of time and thus come into the good books of the company. In return, they can be given all these rewards so that they could be encouraged in line with their work attitudes. Moreover, the people who lag behind with regards to their work schedules and dedication levels will stand up and take notice and thus would want to be counted as the effective and efficient ones within the company as well. The role of organizations in the maintenance of these systems is also very paramount. The difference from the annual appraisals and so on lies in the fact that the traditional manner of doing things relies more on the basis of paper work where a lot of time, effort and money is rather wasted to state the least. The role played by the organizations in advancing their performance management systems is immense since a lot of the population depends on them for their needs and wants. This is met in a fair manner courtesy the E-government initiative adopted by several different companies and organizations. All such innovations which help and facilitate the related process must indeed be given thumbs up since these try to solve the miseries of the people and it is because of these people that the performance management systems are put into place originally. This further pinpoints the fact that the deployment of an efficient performance management system policy within the organization would indeed help it to essentially tackle its internal issues in a better and more effectiv e manner possible. There is a lot of growth potential for the sales force to be automated in the business to business environments since performance management systems are in place, more so because the business to business scenarios boost a trend of interaction in between the channel members no matter which marketplace they hail from. This could either