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- Energy Harvesting Opportunities in Geoenvironmental EngineeringPublication . Marchiori, Leonardo; Morais, Maria Vitoria; Studart, André; Albuquerque, Antonio; Andrade Pais, Luís; Ferreira Gomes, L.M.; Cavaleiro, VictorGeoenvironmental engineering involves defining solutions for complex problems, such as containment systems management, contaminant transport control, wastewater management, remediation of contaminated sites and valorization of geomaterials and wastes. In the last years, energy harvesting (EH)—or energy scavenging—methods and technologies have been developed to reduce the dependence on traditional energy sources, namely fossil fuels, and nuclear power, also responding to the increase in energy demands for human activities and to fulfill sustainable development goals. EH in geoenvironmental works and the surrounding soil and water environment includes a set of processes for capturing and accumulating energy from several sources considered wasted or unusable associated with soil dynamics; the stress and strain of geomaterials, hydraulic, vibrations, biochemical, light, heating and wind sources can be potential EH systems. Therefore, this work presents a review of the literature and critical analysis on the main opportunities for EH capturing, accumulating and use in geoenvironmental works, among basic electric concepts and mechanisms, analyzing these works in complex conditions involving biological-, chemical-, mechanical-, hydraulic- and thermal-coupled actions, concluding with the main investigation and challenges within geoenvironmental aspects for EH purposes.
- Cracking and desiccation of water treatment sludge for incorporation into soils for alternative liner material productionPublication . Marchiori, Leonardo; Morais, Maria Vitoria; Albuquerque, Antonio; Ferreira-Gomes, L.M.; Cavaleiro, VictorCracks may lead to hydraulic failure in soils due to increase of hydraulic conductivity which facilitate water infiltration, impacting negatively for liner materials. Therefore, cracking and desiccation investigation on liner material is advised. Water treatment sludge (WTS) is a by-product resulting from water treatment plants, and it seems to be suitable for geotechnical applications and soil replacement due to hydraulic latent properties, chemical similarities to soils, and mechanical behaviour. In this work WTS samples were incorporated into soil in different ratios – 05%; 10%; 15% and 20% of waste in dried mass of the geocomposites. The four mixtures, a soil sample and a WTS were tested according to the following procedure: two different circular Petri dishes samples were used, 5mm(H5) and 10mm(H10), and two cylindrical compacted samples with 65-70mm of diameter and 20-140mm of height (EDO-TRI, respectively) - dried for 10 days in controlled temperature and humidity. Water release curves (WRC), digital images correlation supported Crack Intensity Factor (CIF) index results were obtained for each material. Cracking behaviour results were compared with the permeability through falling head laboratorial tests, and studies around WTS ratio. Composites with 10% and 15% had the best results, showing no cracks during Petri dishes procedures for H10, in addition, the permeability for these materials reached the maximum for liner production – 10-9 m/s according to European and American directives - making possible the development of an alternative and feasible liner material.