Description:PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
A SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING MINIMUM DENSITY OF MATERIAL USING AN AERATION PROCESS AND METHOD THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to density measurements. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process.
BACKGROUND
Density is a parameter which corresponds to measurement of how tightly particles are packed in a material. In other words, density is a ratio of mass of the material to volume of the material. In general, for any work related to soils, such as construction of buildings, dams, nuclear power plants, laying roads, etc., the fundamental essential parameter is the density of soil. This density is divided into two categories - minimum and maximum Density. Further, In-situ density is related to the maximum and minimum density values and is quantified as relative density. That is, the In-situ density value varies according to different environment conditions.
In simple terms, soil density is one of the most important parameters used to understand how the soil particles are packed. A soil possessing higher density represents the particles that are closely packed, increasing the soil strength and thereby increasing the soil bearing capacity. Conversely, a lower density value shows that the soil particles are loosely packed, and the soil possesses low bearing capacity. Therefore, it is crucial to estimate these density values, especially the lowest or minimum density value, for any type of construction that rests on the soil.
However, determining the minimum density is challenging due to various influencing factors such as stress history, void ratio, particle packing, type of soil, water content etc. Several attempts have been made in the past to estimate the minimum density.
However, in the existing density measurement technologies, techniques such as vibration or impact are used to estimate the maximum soil density. The existing technologies is recommended for both cohesionless soils and cohesive soils. Presently, in the existing technologies, the minimum density is estimated by pouring the cohesionless soil into a mould of known volume or pouring a fixed quantity of soil in a jar from which the volume of the soil occupied in the mould is determined. Finally, the density is computed as the ratio of soil mass to the volume occupied by the soil in the mould. However, this method does not resemble the natural formation process, which leads to inaccurate determination of the minimum density of the soil.
Further, during experimentation, the existing methods exhibit segregation. The reason behind this segregation is due to the presence of free fall height that makes the fine particles come out of the coarse matrix. At this point in time, it is worth noting that segregation phenomena cannot be avoided when estimating the minimum density. Even the underlying mechanism of soil formation involves sedimentation, where heavier/coarser particles settle at the bed level, and lighter/finer particles settle above the coarser ones in underwater currents. Further, any slight disturbance in the mould during readings introduces a jarring effect, altering the soil volume and significantly impacting the minimum density value.
Further, the existing technologies indicates a lack of methods for estimating the minimum density in soils with varying amounts of fine particles (particles less than 75-micro metre in size), as the existing methods are primarily designed for sandy soils, which are not universally present. For example, the existing technologies fail in determining the minimum density for soil containing more than 15% of fine particles. Additionally, many of the tests demand soil samples weighing at least 1 kg, which is not always be feasible for all-time measurements. In other words, the existing methods are not applicable for small-scale samples.
Further, all these methods involve human interface, and results vary from person to person. Also, the existing methods does not simulate a settling process similar to the natural formation of alluvial and aeolian deposition process. Hence, in overall scenario, the existing technologies are not scalable.
Therefore, a need exists for a novel solution that overcomes the above-said problems. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a system and method for estimating minimum density of a material present in a small scale, using an aeration process, to address the aforementioned deficiencies in the art.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simple manner, which is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor to determine the scope of the disclosure.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process. The system comprises a cylindrical mould further comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical mould is configured to receive a material. Further, the system comprises a base perforation plate coupled to the lower end of the cylindrical mould, in which the base perforation plate comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of conduits coupled to each of the plurality of perforations. Furthermore, the system comprises a plurality of tubular structures further comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of each of the plurality of tubular structures may be coupled to each of plurality of conduits in the base perforation plate. Furthermore, the system comprises a manifold coupled to the lower end of the plurality of tubular structures, in which the manifold may comprise one or more push valves. Subsequently, the system comprises a compressor coupled to the manifold. The compressor may be configured to supply, using the manifold, air pressure to the material in the cylindrical mould, via the plurality of tubular structures. Further, the compressor may be configured to perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate, by separating finer particles of the material from a coarse matrix of the small-scale material in the cylindrical mould and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould. In an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on a unit weight of the finer particles. Further, the system includes a digital vernier caliper system configured to measure the height of the material occupied inside the cylindrical mould from which the minimum density of the material may be computed based on the performed aeration process.
Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process. The method includes receiving, by a system, a material, via a cylindrical mould, in which the material comprises at least one of a heterogenous mixture and a homogeneous mixture. The method then includes supplying, by the system, an air pressure to the material in the cylindrical mould using a manifold, via a plurality of tubular structures, via a compressor. Further, the method includes performing, by the system, an aeration process by separating finer particles of the material from a coarse matrix of the material in the cylindrical mould, and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould. In an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on the unit weight of the finer particles. In an embodiment, the aeration process may simulate alluvial deposition and aeolian deposition of the material. Furthermore, the method includes measuring, by the system, height of the material occupied inside the cylindrical mould using a digital vernier calliper system, based on the performed aeration process. Finally, the method includes estimating, by the system, the minimum density of the material, based on the performed aeration process, using the digital vernier caliper system.
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a skeleton diagram of the system, as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates an overall structural representation of the system, as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A and 4B illustrates structural representation of a base perforation plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart representation of method for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples thereof. The examples of the present disclosure described herein may be used together in different combinations. In the following description, details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to all these details. Also, throughout the present disclosure, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. The terms “a” and “an” may also denote more than one of a particular element. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at least in part on, the term “based upon” means based at least in part upon, and the term “such as” means such as but not limited to. The term “relevant” means closely connected or appropriate to what is being performed or considered.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration”. Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, additional sub-modules. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, “in an exemplary embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. A computer system (standalone, client, or server, or computer-implemented system) configured by an application may constitute a “module” (or “subsystem”) that is configured and operated to perform certain operations. In one embodiment, the “module” or “subsystem” may be implemented mechanically or electronically, so a module includes dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (within a special-purpose processor) to perform certain operations. In another embodiment, a “module” or a “subsystem” may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Accordingly, the term “module” or “subsystem” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed permanently configured (hardwired), or temporarily configured (programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to perform certain operations described herein.
Embodiments described herein provide a system and a method for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process. The system comprises a cylindrical mould further comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical mould is configured to receive a material. Further, the system comprises a base perforation plate coupled to the lower end of the cylindrical mould, in which the base perforation plate comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of conduits coupled to each of the plurality of perforations. Furthermore, the system comprises a plurality of tubular structures further comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of each of the plurality of tubular structures may be coupled to each of plurality of conduits in the base perforation plate. Furthermore, the system comprises a manifold coupled to lower end of the plurality of tubular structures, in which the manifold may comprise one or more push valves. Subsequently, the system comprises a compressor coupled to the manifold. The compressor may be configured to supply, using the manifold, air pressure to the material in the cylindrical mould, via the plurality of tubular structures. Further, the compressor may be configured to perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate, by separating finer particles of the material from a coarse matrix of the small-scale material in the cylindrical mould, and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould. In an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on an unit weight of the finer particles. Further, the system includes a digital vernier caliper system configured to measure the height of the material occupied inside the cylindrical mould from which the minimum density of the material may be computed based on the performed aeration process.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, where reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments, and these embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system and/or method.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 for estimating minimum density of a material using an aeration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, environment 100 may include a system 101, which further includes a cylindrical mould 105 comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical mould 105 may be configured to receive a material 103. In an embodiment, the material 103 may include, without limiting to, a small-scale geological material such as a soil sample. Further, in an embodiment, the material 103 may comprise at least one of a heterogenous mixture and a homogeneous mixture.
Further, the system 101 comprises a base perforation plate 107 coupled to the lower end of the cylindrical mould 105, in which the base perforation plate 107 may comprise a plurality of perforations and a plurality of conduits (not shown in FIG. 1) coupled to each of the plurality of perforations. Furthermore, the system 101 comprises a plurality of tubular structures 109 further comprising an upper end and a lower end. In an embodiment, the upper end of each of the plurality of tubular structures 109 may be coupled to each of plurality of conduits in the base perforation plate 107.
Furthermore, the system 101 comprises a manifold 111 coupled to lower end of the plurality of tubular structures 109, in which the manifold 111 may comprise one or more push valves 111a. Subsequently, the system 101 comprises a compressor 113 coupled to the manifold 111.
In an embodiment, the compressor 113 may be configured to supply, using the manifold 111, air pressure to the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, via the plurality of tubular structures 109. Further, the compressor 113 may be configured to perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate 107, by separating finer particles of the material 103 from a coarse matrix of the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould 105. In an embodiment, the coarse matrix of the material 103 may correspond to mixture of the fine particles and the pure sample present in the material 103. Further, in an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on an unit weight of the finer particles. Further, the system may comprise a digital vernier caliper system 115 configured to measure the height of the material 103 occupied inside the cylindrical mould 105, from which the minimum density of the material 103 may be computed, based on the performed aeration process.
FIG. 2 illustrates a skeleton diagram of the system 101, as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the system 101 comprises a base plate 201 configured to hold the system 101 in a predefined position. In an embodiment, the base plate 201 may include, without limiting to, a wooden platform.
Further, the system 101 comprises a cylindrical mould 105 (as shown in FIG. 1), in which the cylindrical mould 105 may further comprise an upper 203 end and a lower end 205. In an embodiment, the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105 may be configured to receive a material 103. In an embodiment, the material 103 may include, without limiting to, a small-scale geological material such as a soil sample. Further, the cylindrical mould 105 may include, for example, but not limited to, an inner diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm.
Further, the system 101 comprises a mould stand 207 configured to hold the cylindrical mould 105 in a flexible position. That is, the mould stand 207 may perform the movement of the cylindrical mould 105 in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions according to different operating conditions, using a clamp 209 (as shown in FIG. 2). In an embodiment, the mould stand 207 may include, without limiting to, a metallic stand having a height of 30cm.
In an embodiment, the system 101 comprises a base perforation plate 107 coupled to the lower end 205 of the cylindrical mould 105, in which the base perforation plate 107 may comprise a plurality of perforations (not shown in FIG. 2) and a plurality of conduits 211 coupled to each of the plurality of perforations. In an embodiment, the base perforation plate 107 may include, without limiting to, a metallic plate with 21 perforations uniformly placed to each other, in which diameter of each perforation may be, without limiting to, 3mm.
In an embodiment, the system 101 comprises a manifold 111 (as shown in FIG. 2) coupled to a lower end of plurality of tubular structures 109 (not shown in FIG. 2), in which the manifold 111 may comprise one or more push valves 111a. In an embodiment, the one or more push valves 111a may include, without limiting to, 22 push valves symmetrically arranged to each other.
Further, the system 101 comprises a compressor 113 coupled to the manifold 111. In an embodiment, the compressor 113 may be configured to supply, using the manifold 111, air pressure to the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, via the plurality of tubular structures 109 (not shown in FIG. 2). Further, the compressor 113 may be configured to perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate 107, by separating finer particles of the material 103 from a coarse matrix of the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould 105. In an embodiment, the coarse matrix of the material 103 may correspond to mixture of the fine particles and the pure sample. Further, in an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on an unit weight of the finer particles.
In an embodiment, the system 101 comprises a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 213 configured to provide power supply to the compressor 113 for supplying air pressure to the cylindrical mould 105, through the manifold 111.
FIG. 3 illustrates an overall structural representation of the system 301, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the system 301 is similar to the system 101 of FIG. 1.
In an embodiment, the system 301 comprises a base plate 201 configured to hold the system 301 in a predefined position. In an embodiment, the base plate 201 may include, without limiting to, a wooden platform. In an embodiment, design of the base plate 201 may ensure that readings may be recorded without affecting the cylindrical mould 105, providing a convenient and accurate way to estimate the minimum density of the material 103 during the testing process.
Further, the system 301 comprises a cylindrical mould 105 (as shown in FIG. 3), in which the cylindrical mould 105 may further comprise an upper 203 end and a lower end 205. In an embodiment, the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105 may be configured to receive a material 103. In an embodiment, the material 103 may include, without limiting to, a small-scale geological material such as a soil sample. Further, the cylindrical mould 105 may include, for example, but not limited to, an inner diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm.
In an embodiment, the cylindrical mould 105 may receive the material 103 using a funnel (not shown in FIG. 3) with cylindrical spout having a diameter of 13 mm. For example, but not limited to, the material 103 such as a 50g of a soil sample may be filled into the cylindrical mould 105 using a funnel placed on the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105. More specifically, an oven-dried soil sample may be passed into the cylindrical mould 105, through a 4.75 mm sieve (not shown in FIG. 3). Furthermore, the funnel may be lifted slowly and steadily, ensuring a zero free fall height for the deposited soil sample. Moreover, the cylindrical mould 105 may be adequately cleaned, such that wire mesh associated with the cylindrical mould 105 may be free of clogging.
In an embodiment, the system 301 comprises a mould stand 207 configured to hold the cylindrical mould 105 in a flexible position. That is, the mould stand 207 may perform the movement of the cylindrical mould 105 in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions according to different operating conditions, using a clamp 209 (as shown in FIG. 2). In an embodiment, the mould stand 207 may include, without limiting to, a metallic stand having a height of 30cm. Further, in an embodiment, the mould stand 207 may be coupled to the clamp 209 using a bush 303 (as shown in FIG. 3).
In an embodiment, the system 301 comprises a base perforation plate 107 coupled to the lower end 205 of the cylindrical mould 105, in which the base perforation plate 107 may comprise a plurality of perforations (not shown in FIG. 3) and a plurality of conduits 211 coupled to each of the plurality of perforations. In an embodiment, the base perforation plate 107 may include, without limiting to, a metallic plate with 21 perforations uniformly placed to each other, in which diameter of each perforation may be, without limiting to, 3mm. Further, in an embodiment, the plurality of conduits 211 may be coupled to the upper end of the tubular structures 109.
In an embodiment, the system 301 comprises a manifold 111 coupled to a lower end of plurality of tubular structures 109 (as shown in FIG. 3), in which the manifold 111 may comprise one or more push valves 111a. In an embodiment, the one or more push valves 111a may include, without limiting to, 22 push valves symmetrically arranged to each other. Further, in an embodiment, the manifold 111 may include, without limiting to, a metallic manifold.
Further, the system 301 comprises a compressor 113 coupled to the manifold 111. That is, the compressor 113 may be coupled to the manifold 111 using the one or more push valves 111a. As shown in FIG. 3, the push valve present on the breadth face of the manifold 111 connects the cable coming from the compressor 113 to the manifold 111.
In an embodiment, the compressor 113 may be configured to supply, using the manifold 111, air pressure to the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, via the plurality of tubular structures 109 (as shown in FIG. 3). This is achieved by closing the cylindrical mould 105 with a lid 305 (as shown in FIG. 3) on the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105, and ensure that the manifold 111 is closed to prevent air from entering the cylindrical mould 105, even with the compressor 113 on. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the air pressure of the compressor 113 may be set, for example, but not limited to 40 kPa. This 40kPa air pressure may be sent from the compressor 113 to the cylindrical mould 105, through the tubular structures 109, using the manifold 111. In an embodiment, the manifold 111 may be gradually opened to observe the application of air pressure to the cylindrical mould 105. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the air pressure may be continuously and uniformly distributed across the material 103 via the plurality of perforations of the base perforation plate 107 coupled with the lower end 205 of the cylindrical mould 105.
In an embodiment, the system 301 comprises a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 213 configured to provide power supply to the compressor 113 for supplying air pressure to the cylindrical mould 105, through the manifold 111.
Further, upon sending the air pressure to the cylindrical mould 105, the compressor 113 may be configured to perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate 107, by separating finer particles of the material 103 from a coarse matrix of the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, and retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould 105. In an embodiment, the coarse matrix of the material 103 may correspond to mixture of the fine particles and the pure sample present in the material 103. Further, in an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on an unit weight of the finer particles. Furthermore, the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105 may be closed using the lid 305 (as shown in FIG. 3), to prevent the blow of the fine particles out of the cylindrical mould 105, during the aeration process. In an embodiment, the aeration process may simulate alluvial deposition and aeolian deposition of the material 103. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the plurality of perforations may act as inlets at different locations of the base perforation plate 107 for supplying air pressure to the cylindrical mould 105.
In an embodiment, the volume occupied by the material 103 may be determined, upon completion of the aeration process. For example, but not limited to, after a period of 4 minutes of the aeration process, the compressor 113 may be turned off and the height of the material 103, but not limited to 4 places occupied by the material 103, such as the soil sample in the cylindrical mould 105 may be determined by using a digital vernier caliper system 115. The volume of the material 103 may be determined by multiplying the average height of the soil sample with the diameter of the material 103 occupied inside the cylindrical mould 105.
In an embodiment, the minimum density (ρ_min) of the material 103 may be estimated based on the determined mass and the determined volume of the material 103, using equation (1), as represented below:
"ρ_min" = "M/V" -------------(1)
Where,
M – Mass of the material,
V – Volume of the material occupied in the cylindrical mould,
In an embodiment, the digital vernier caliper system 115 may be configured to calculate the volume of the material 103 based on the equation (2) as represented below:
V = A x H -------------(2)
Where,
A – Cross-Sectional Area of the cylindrical mould (cm2),
H – The height of the material occupied inside the cylindrical mould from the base of the cylindrical mould.
Also, the system 101 and method of the present disclosure works well for the cohesionless soils with fines of up to for example, 50 %. This is clearly represented in the below table:
S.No. Soil Type Fines Percentage (%) Minimum Density (g/cc)
ASTM D4253-00 JIS A 1224:2009 IS 2720 (Part 14) – 1983 Lade’s Method Inventory Method
1 SP (white sand) 4 1.26 1.38 1.27 1.22 1.17
2 SP (M-Sand) 12 1.56 1.42 1.55 1.34 1.27
3 SM (S70F30) 30 1.37 1.39 1.37 1.30 1.26

FIG. 4A and 4B illustrates structural representation of a base perforation plate 107, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4A shows a base perforation plate 401, in which the base perforation plate 401 may include, without limiting to, a plurality of perforations 403, uniformly spaced to each other. In an embodiment, the base perforation plate 401 is similar to the base perforation plate 107 of FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality of perforations 403 may include, without limiting to, 21 perforations uniformly distributed in the base perforation plate 401. Further, the diameter of each perforation may be of, without limiting to, 3mm. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the diameter of the base perforation plate 401 may include, without limiting to, 70mm, which may allow the proper spacing for the distribution of the plurality of perforations 403.
Further, the base perforation plate 401 comprises a plurality of conduits 405 coupled to each of the plurality of perforations 403. In an embodiment, the plurality of conduits $05 is similar to the plurality of conduits 211 of FIG. 2. Further, the inner diameter of the plurality of the conduits 405 may be, without limiting to, 6mm, which may enhance the coupling of the plurality of conduits 405 to the plurality of perforations 403.
FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart representation of method 500 for estimating minimum density of a material 103 using an aeration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
At step 501, the method 500 includes receiving, by the system 101, a material 103, via a cylindrical mould 105, In an embodiment, the material 103 may include, without limiting to, a small-scale geological material such as a soil sample. Further, in an embodiment, the material 103 may comprise at least one of a heterogenous mixture and a homogeneous mixture.
At step 502, the method 500 includes supplying, by the system 101, an air pressure to the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105 using a manifold 111, via a plurality of tubular structures 109, via a compressor 113. This may be achieved by closing the cylindrical mould 105 with a lid 305 (as shown in FIG. 3) on the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105, and ensure that the manifold 111 is closed to prevent air from entering the cylindrical mould 105, even with the compressor 113 on.
At step 503, the method 500 includes performing, by the system 101, an aeration process by separating finer particles of the material 103 from a coarse matrix of the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould 105. In an embodiment, the finer particles may be separated based on the unit weight of the finer particles. Further, in an embodiment, the coarse matrix of the material 103 may correspond to mixture of the fine particles and the pure sample present in the material 103. Furthermore, the upper end 203 of the cylindrical mould 105 may be closed using the lid 305 (as shown in FIG. 3), to prevent the blow of the fine particles out of the cylindrical mould 105, during the aeration process.
At step 504, the method 500 includes measuring, by the system 101, height of the material 103 occupied inside the cylindrical mould 105 using a digital vernier calliper system 115, based on the performed aeration process.
At step 505, the method includes estimating, by the system 101, the minimum density of the material 103, based on the performed aeration process, using the digital vernier caliper system 115. This may be achieved by determining mass of the material 103 upon completion of the aeration process and determining the volume occupied by the material 103 in the cylindrical mould 105, upon completion of the aeration process.
Embodiments of present disclosure discloses a system and method for estimating the minimum density of the material using an aeration process. The present disclosure facilitates the estimation of the minimum density of a material present in small-scale, thus reducing the need for a substantial quantity of the material against testing. Further, the method of the present disclosure works well for the material containing more than 15% of fine particles. Also, the system and method of the present disclosure are effective for a wide range of soils, including cohesionless soils containing fines in varying proportions, for example, up to 50% or more, depending on the specific application and soil characteristics.
Furthermore, the present disclosure facilitates the duration of the density estimation process to happen in approximately 4 minutes, which improves the efficiency of the system. In other words, the present disclosure estimates the least possibility density of the materials having 4.75 mm to < 75-micron size with fine particles content of up to 50 %.
One of the ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that techniques consistent with the present disclosure are applicable in other contexts as well without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the present disclosure. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
The written description describes the subject matter herein to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments. The scope of the subject matter embodiments is defined by the claims and may include other modifications that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have similar elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
The embodiments herein may comprise hardware and software elements. The embodiments that are implemented in software include but are not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, and the like. The functions performed by various modules described herein may be implemented in other modules or combinations of other modules.
A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention. When a single device or article is described herein, it will be apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article, or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.
The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, and the like., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments. Also, the words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limited, of the scope of the invention, which is outlined in the following claims.
REFERRAL NUMERALS:
Reference number Description
100 Exemplary environment
101 System
103 Material
105 Cylindrical mould
107 Base perforation plate
109 Tubular structures
111 Manifold
113 Compressor
115 Digital Vernier Caliper system
201 Base plate
203 Upper end of the cylindrical mould 105
205 Lower end of the cylindrical mould 105
207 Mould stand
209 Clamp
211 Conduits
213 Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS)
301 System
303 Bush
305 Lid
401 Base perforation plate
403 Perforations
405 Conduits
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A system (101) for estimating minimum density of a material (103) using an aeration process, the system (101) comprising:
a cylindrical mould (105) comprising an upper end (203) and a lower end (205), wherein the upper end (203) of the cylindrical mould (105) is configured to receive a material (103);
a base perforation plate (107) coupled to the lower (205) end of the cylindrical mould (105), comprising a plurality of perforations (403) and a plurality of conduits (405) coupled to each of the plurality of perforations (403);
a plurality of tubular structures (109) comprising an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of each of the plurality of tubular structures (109) are coupled to each of plurality of conduits (405) in the base perforation plate (107);
a manifold (111) coupled to lower end of the plurality of tubular structures (109), comprising one or more push valves (111a);
a compressor (113) coupled to the manifold (111), is configured to:
supply, using the manifold (111), air pressure to the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105), via the plurality of tubular structures (109); and
perform an aeration process via the base perforation plate (107), by separating finer particles of the material (103) from a coarse matrix of the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105), retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould (105), wherein the finer particles are separated based on an unit weight of the finer particles; and
a digital vernier caliper system (115) is configured to:
measure the height of the material (103) occupied inside the cylindrical mould (105); and
estimate the minimum density of the material (103), based on the performed aeration process.

2. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein to estimate the minimum density of the material (103), based on the performed aeration process, the digital vernier caliper system (115) is configured to:
determine height occupied by the material (103) upon completion of the aeration process;
determine volume occupied by the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105), upon completion of the aeration process; and
estimate the minimum density of the material (103) based on the determined mass and the determined volume.

3. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (101) further comprises a funnel with a cylindrical spout, configured to pour the material (103) into the cylindrical mould (105), wherein the material (103) comprises at least one of a heterogenous mixture and a homogeneous mixture.

4. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (101) further comprises a mould stand (207) configured to hold the cylindrical mould (105).

5. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manifold (111) is configured to be closed before the supply of the air pressure to the material (103), by the compressor (113), and wherein the cylindrical mould (105) is enclosed to prevent the loss of the finer particles during the aeration process.

6. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air pressure is continuously and uniformly distributed across the material (103) via the plurality of perforations (403) of the base perforation plate (107) coupled with the lower end (205) of the cylindrical mould (105).

7. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical mould (105) is fully enclosed using a lid (305) to prevent the loss of finer particles during the aeration process, wherein the aeration process simulates alluvial deposition and aeolian deposition of the material (103).

8. A method for estimating minimum density of a material (103) using an aeration process, the method comprising:
receiving, by a system (101), a material (103), via a cylindrical mould (105), wherein the material (103) comprises at least one of a heterogenous mixture and a homogeneous mixture;
supplying, by the system (101), an air pressure to the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105) using a manifold (111), via a plurality of tubular structures (109), via a compressor (113);
performing, by the system (101), an aeration process by separating finer particles of the material (103) from a coarse matrix of the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105), retaining the finer particles in the cylindrical mould (105), wherein the finer particles are separated based on the unit weight of the finer particles;
measuring, by the system (101), height of the material (103) occupied inside the cylindrical mould (105) using a digital vernier calliper system (115), based on the performed aeration process; and
estimating, by the system (101), the minimum density of the material (103), based on the performed aeration process, using the digital vernier caliper system (115).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein estimating the minimum density of material (103), based on the performed aeration process, the method further comprises:
determining, by the system (101), mass of the material (103) upon completion of the aeration process;
determining, by the system (101), volume occupied by the material (103) in the cylindrical mould (105), upon completion of the aeration process; and
estimating, by the system (101), the minimum density of the material (103) based on the determined mass and the determined volume.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air pressure is continuously and uniformly distributed across the material (103) via a plurality of perforations of a base perforation plate (107) coupled to the cylindrical mould (105).

Dated this 27th day of December 2024

Sanath M V (IN/PA 5004)
Prasa IP
Agent for the Applicant