Due to intrinsic characteristics of aquifers groundwater frequently passes between various types of aquifers without hindrance. The complex connection of underground water paths enables flow regardless of administrative boundaries. This can cause problems in water resources management. Numerical modelling is an important tool for the understanding, interpretation and management of aquifers. Useful and reliable methods of numerical modelling differ with regard to the type of aquifer, but their connections in a single hydrodynamic model are rare. The purpose of this study was to connect different models into an integrated system that enables determination of water travel time from the point of contamination to water sources. The worst-case scenario is considered. The system was applied in the Soča/Isonzo basin, a transboundary river in Slovenia and Italy, where there is a complex contact of karst and intergranular aquifers and surface flows over bedrock with low permeability. Time cell models were first elaborated separately for individual hydrogeological units. These were the result of numerical hydrological modelling (intergranular aquifer and surface flow) or complex GIS analysis taking into account the vulnerability map and tracer tests results (karst aquifer). The obtained cellular models present the basis of a contamination early-warning system, since it allows an estimation when contaminants can be expected to appear, and in which water sources. The system proves that the contaminants spread rapidly through karst aquifers and via surface flows, and more slowly through intergranular aquifers. For this reason, karst water sources are more at risk from one-off contamination incidents, while water sources in intergranular aquifers are more at risk in
COBISS.SI-ID: 1712479
Over the past years, the installations of Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) systems are increasing throughout Europe, and it is indicating that a specific and detailed legal framework is necessary. Towards this direction, this paper consists of an overview of legislation issues on SGE at European level, based on concise reviews from fourteen countries, i.e., Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Said reviews discuss key national legislation as well as experts’ experience in the procedure of SGE integration. Legal and technical issues are also critically discussed for all involved countries, both individually and collectively. Findings show that high diversity exists on legislation provisions as well as on regulations, standards, and institutional support amongst European countries. The latter acts as an effective barrier for the further development of the SGE market; therefore indicating the need for a common approach. Increase of awareness, need for standardization, improvement of legal framework, and administration procedures and permitting, are essential steps in moving forward and supporting the effectiveness of design, construction, maintenance, and operation of SGE systems
COBISS.SI-ID: 21897494
The article presents a comparative analysis of an optimal design for conventional and geothermal energy piles, based on mixed-integer and non-linear programming (MINLP) optimizations. To complete this analysis, a MINLP optimization model OPTPILE was constructed. The model is based on structure pro-duction costs, while the piles are made of more than one material. It was subjected to geotechnical designs, structural resistance and settlement constraints that satisfy the requirements of the ultimate and serviceability limit states of the Eurocode speci fications and recommendations for design and analysis of geothermal energy piles. The optimal design of a conventional and geothermal energy pile was investigated for various soil and load conditions. A comparative analysis of MINLP optimizations were performed over a wide range of alternative scenarios: different vertical loads on the pile, alternatives of discrete cross-sections as well as different Young's moduli of the soil. Based on the calculated results, a recommended optimal design for a conventional pile and a geothermal energy pile were developed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 21635606
This article presents an optimal design for reinforced pad and strip foundations, based on multiparametric, mixed-integer, and nonlinear programming (MINLP) optimizations. For this purpose, aMINLP optimization model STRIPPAD was developed. The model is based on an accurate objective function of the structure production costs. It was subjected to design, resistance, stiffness, and settlement constraints that satisfy the requirements of the ultimate and serviceability limit states of the Eurocode specifications and recommendations for design and analysis of earth structures using geosynthetic reinforcements. The optimal design of the reinforced pad foundation and strip foundation was investigated for design parameters that have a significant impact on structure costs. A series of MINLP optimizations was done over a wide range of various parameters: different vertical loads on the strip foundation, alternatives of discrete cross sections, and different friction angles of the soil. Based on these results, an optimal design for reinforced pad and strip foundations was developed. Economically suitable foundation types for various soil and load conditions were found.
COBISS.SI-ID: 21523990
Reported is a relationship between a profile edge cracking during hot rolling of AISI D2 tool steel and material and processing parameters. Several months of observation of industrial hot rolling was done for neural network analysis and complemented with equilibrium thermodynamics calculations and laboratory hot deformation tests. Industrial results, in general, show that for the same chemical composition, hot rolling yield decreases with an increased profile aspect ratio. Cr content is significant for the soaking and strongly correlated with a hot workability at upper and lower limits of the hot working temperature range. Laboratory hot compression tests were employed to determine the optimal soaking temperature and to study hot workability to expand safe hot working temperature window.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1727839