Impact of Water Holding Capacity and Moisture Content of Soil Substrates on the Moisture Content of Wood in Terrestrial Microcosms

Terrestrial microcosms (TMCs) are frequently used for testing the durability of wood and wood-based materials, as well as the protective effectiveness of wood preservatives. In contrary to experiments in soil ecology sciences, the experimental setup is usually rather simple. However, for service life prediction of wood exposed in ground, it is of imminent interest to better understand the different parameters defining the boundary conditions in TMCs. This study focused, therefore, on soil–wood–moisture interactions. Terrestrial microcosms were prepared from the same compost substrate with varying water holding capacities (WHCs) and soil moisture contents (MCsoil). Wood specimens were exposed to 48 TMCs with varying WHCs and MCsoil. The wood moisture content (MCwood) was studied as well as its distribution within the specimens. For this purpose, the compost substrate was mixed with sand and peat and its WHC was determined using two methods in comparison, i.e., the “droplet counting method” and the “cylinder sand bath method” in which the latter turned out advantageous over the other. The MCwood increased generally with rising MCsoil, but WHC was often negatively correlated with MCwood. The distance to water saturation Ssoil from which MCwood increased most intensively was found to be wood-species specific and might, therefore, require further consideration in soil-bed durability-testing and service life modelling of wood in soil contact.

Service life design and modelling of concrete structures – background, developments, and implementation

The paper presents an overview of current knowledge and progress in service life design and modelling of concrete structures, taking an international view but also giving local examples from South Africa. It raises the question of why service life modelling is needed, and indicates that modern demands for longevity, durability, and sustainability of concrete structures cannot be fulfilled without service life modelling. It addresses the current approaches to durability design and specification and concludes that a move to performance-based approaches is imperative if progress is to be made. Examples from international experience are cited to illustrate progress that has been made. Lastly, the paper discusses ways of moving forward, recognizing that the philosophical bases are already firmly in place in the form of general code formulations, but these need to be converted into useful approaches.

Removal of algal taste and odour compounds by granular and biological activated carbon in full-scale water treatment plants

The occurrence and severity of cyanobacterial and algal blooms in water supplies has been increasing due to the effects of eutrophication and climate change, resulting in more frequent taste and odour (T&O) events. Conventional treatment processes have been found to be inefficient in removing the two most commonly detected algal T&O compounds, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), though granular activated carbon (GAC) and biological activated carbon (BAC) contactors have achieved high T&O removal rates. Literature on the performance of GAC and BAC for T&O removal in full-scale treatment plants, however, is limited. This review collates and assesses pilot-scale and full-scale studies which focus on removal of geosmin and MIB, with the aim of understanding the factors which influence T&O removal and determining knowledge gaps in the use of GAC and BAC. Age and empty bed contact time (EBCT) were found to have a significant impact on GAC performance, with removal efficiency decreasing with increased age and increasing with longer EBCTs. BAC contactors have achieved higher removal rates than non-biologically active GAC contactors and were not impacted by age, EBCT and/or carbon type. From these observations, implementation of BAC for T&O removal would be favourable; however, further investigations are required to understand full-scale performance of BAC and service life modelling.

Durability and service life prediction for concrete structures – developments and challenges

The paper reviews developments in service life prediction for concrete structures. It indicates the difficulties inherent in rational service life design, in view of the multiple factors and variabilities involved in the process. The paper also emphasises the advantages of performance-based approaches to durability prediction, and considers performance testing, which is critical to achieving intended service life. Such approaches allow service life modelling, which the current prescriptive approaches do not. The concept of ‘durability indicators’ is covered, with a practical example showing how this can be used to improve concrete durability in construction. The paper also stresses the importance of an ‘integrated approach’ to durability specifications, performance-based predictions, and site quality control.