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

Marketing Audit on a 1 shop Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Marketing Audit on a 1 shop - Essay Example According to the figures released earlier this year, Poundland reported an 81.5% increase in profits from the previous year. Poundworld posted record profits of ?5.4m in on sales of ?133m. Buying from these pound points provides incredible value for money to the consumers, and with budgets stretched, it makes pound shops very preferable for them. The low prices are made possible due to low costs incurred in their model, by these shops. A conscious effort to keep a check on costs is made, in terms of overhead expenses and direct costs. Pound shops are able to save large chunk of money by buying in bulk quantities. They don’t shelve varieties for their products, but usually stack on products from one or two manufacturers for each category. This allows them a lot of bargaining power with the suppliers. Since they only have to stock few varieties for each product category, they can always switch to those suppliers that offer the lowest rates. Even renowned brands have supplied the ir products to pound shops, recently. Pound shops’ model is based on keeping prices at the low price points, ensuring there’s price consistency across the shop, and which continues overtime. This creates greater certainty for the customers, who confidently return to the shop, knowing they would be able to shop without draining on their low budgets. For the administration too, it’s a relief, since they don’t have to spend time and hire resources, to calculate prices for each product item. All product items can be arranged anywhere in the shop, and rearranged to change the display, without worrying about changing tags, or shelves. Pound shops also don’t undergo price inflation. This certainty gives them a rare advantage over other consumer retail and other avenues of consumers’ pounds, where inflation can be a huge drain on consumers’ already limited incomes. Pound shops try to absorb inflation by negotiating harder with suppliers so th ey continue getting products at same level of prices. Alternatively, they might switch to another supplier, which, however, could be offering products which are inferior to those previously offered. However, at times, pound shops have been known to counter inflation by other means too. Instead of increasing prices, they have reduced the quantity of product offered. 99p Stores, for instance, were selling 200g Toblerones but later the chocolate bars were only 170g in weight. In general, however, the zero-price inflation, price consistency, and of course low prices, ensure a large customer base for pound shops. In times of recession and low economic growth, when wages don’t increase by much, if at all, low wage earners find pound shops extremely valuable. When unemployment is relatively high, more people are living off benefits. Middle and upper classes too feel compelled to look for value in their shopping, and then there are students and other such groups of consumers who are very conscious about their spending. With their unique business model, pound shops are able to reach out to, and cater to, a larger customer base than other retailers. Pound shops also employ an effective tool in their marketing mixes- that of psychological pricing, in pricing. 99c is a successful price point chain in UK, and others also use the psychological pricing effectively, to give the consumer the perception of greater value for money. In terms