This study considers the saturated soil around the tunnel as a transversely isotropic medium and derives the dynamic response solutions of the tunnel lining and its surrounding medium under explosive loads in the Laplace and Fourier transform domains. When the transverse isotropic coefficient equals 1.0, this solution simplifies to the case where the tunnel is surrounded by a uniform medium. By performing inverse Fourier and Laplace transforms on the solution, we obtain the time domain solution. Compared with the results for a uniform medium surrounding the tunnel, it was found that the peak values of stress and pore water pressure increased, while the peak displacement slightly decreased. In addition, the peak arrival time is advanced, and the fluctuation attenuation is accelerated. The transverse isotropy of soil in engineering cannot be ignored.

The disposal of tailings in a safe and environmentally friendly manner has always been a challenging issue. The microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique is used to stabilise tailings sands. MICP is an innovative soil stabilisation technology. However, its field application in tailings sands is limited due to the poor adaptability of non-native urease-producing bacteria (UPB) in different natural environments. In this study, the ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis technology was used to improve the performance of indigenous UPB, sourced from a hot and humid area of China. Mechanical property tests and microscopic inspections were conducted to assess the feasibility and the effectiveness of the technology. The roles played by the UV-induced UPB in the processes of nucleation and crystal growth were revealed by scanning electron microscopy imaging. The impacts of elements contained in the tailings sands on the morphology of calcium carbonate crystals were studied with Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The precipitation pattern of calcium carbonate and the strength enhancement mechanism of bio-cemented tailings were analysed in detail. The stabilisation method of tailings sands described in this paper provides a new cost-effective approach to mitigating the environmental issues and safety risks associated with the storage of tailings.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the performance of a levee when subjected to flooding and subsequent seepage through centrifuge model tests. For this, six centrifuge model tests were conducted on a 240 mm high levee model at 30g in a 4.5 m radius large beam geotechnical centrifuge available at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India. A custom-developed flooding simulator is employed to induce identical flood rates on the upstream side of the levee models. Further, using (a) geocomposite (GC) and (b) sand-sandwiched geocomposite (SSGC) as internal chimney drain, the suitability of GC material for dissipation of pore-water pressure (PWP) is also studied. The results of the centrifuge tests are presented and discussed in terms of the development of upstream flood function, subsequent PWP development within the levee body, and the surface settlements observed at the levee's crest. Further, the influence of an internal chimney drain, the material used for its construction, and its type and composition on the seepage response of the levee is discussed in detail. The performance GC chimney drain placed within the levee subjected to flooding-induced seepage is compared with a conventional sand chimney drain. It is observed that a GC-based chimney drain with sand cushioning on both sides in the horizontal portion of the chimney drain performs well. Further, digital image analysis of SEM micrographs of exhumed GC after centrifuge tests and the analyzed PWP data during sustained flooding-induced seepage is found to corroborate well.

The current study aimed to isolate Beauveria brongniartii conidia from forest soils, identify the fungus, and evaluate its effectiveness on the eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of Spodoptera litura. Insect mortality rates were recorded every 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. The identification of entomopathogenic fungi was carried out using molecular techniques, including PCR, DNA sequencing, and molecular markers, to detect species-specific 18 S rDNA genetic sequences, all performed under aseptic conditions. The results indicated that higher conidia concentrations (2.7 x 109 conidia/mL) exhibited greater virulence, with eggs showing a mortality rate of 98.66%, followed by larvae 96%, adults 90.66%, and pupae 77.33% after 12 days. Probit analysis revealed minimal LC50 and LC90 values: eggs (5.5 x 102; 1.0 x 106 spores/mL), larvae (8.2 x 102; 1.2 x 107 spores/mL), pupae (9.6 x 104; 7.3 x 1010 spores/mL), and adults (1.0 x 103; 2.0 x 108 spores/mL). The total hemocyte counts and detailed observational results revealed that B. brongniartii induces cellular breakdown and cell lysis in S. litura larvae by producing enzymes that degrade the cuticle and cell membranes. Earthworm bioindicator studies showed minimal effects from B. brongniartii conidia compared to controls, while chemical treatments resulted in 96% mortality at 100 ppm. Histopathological examinations revealed no significant differences in gut tissue between earthworms treated with fungal conidia and those in the control group, unlike the substantial damage caused by chemical treatments. Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in enzyme activity, including reduced levels of phosphatase and catalase, as well as increased levels of lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase. This study highlights the effectiveness of B. brongniartii in controlling S. litura, demonstrating its potential as a viable biocontrol agent and promoting eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides, with no risk to non-target species or the environment.