The main objective of this research is to compare different irrigation methods based upon a parametric evaluation system in an area of 13 300 ha in the Gotvand Plain, south west Iran. Once the soil properties were analysed and evaluated, suitability maps were generated for surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation methods using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The obtained results showed that for 3220 ha (24.2%) of the study area surface the irrigation method was highly recommended; whereas for 9015 ha (67.6%) of the study area a sprinkler irrigation method would be extremely efficient and suitable; moreover, it was found that 3515 ha (26.4%) of the study area was highly suitable for drip irrigation methods. The results demonstrated that by applying sprinkler irrigation instead of surface and drip irrigation methods, the arability of 12 590 ha (94.7%) in the Gotvand Plain would improve. The comparison of the different types of irrigation revealed that sprinkler irrigation was more effective and efficient than the drip and surface irrigation methods and improved land suitability for irrigation purposes. It is of note, however, that the main limiting factors in using surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation methods in this area were drainage and calcium carbonate content.
The mechanical properties of ceramic granular γ-alumina, including resistance and stability, are examined using Nano indentation and Nano scratch tests. In so doing, surface morphology, kind of material used, topography, and roughness of the surface of the granular ceramic are evaluated using a scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. To achieve these objectives, the initial step involves the synthesis of granular γ-alumina ceramic nanoparticles with average diameters of 1.7 mm. Moreover, the elasticity modulus and hardness of granular γ-alumina are estimated using a Nanoindentation method under different loads. It is shown that the nanoparticles in this coarse material are about 17 nm on average. Besides, the results demonstrate that the modulus of elasticity and hardness do not follow a particular pattern when the load increases. In other words, the modulus of elasticity increases and then decreases but the hardness decreases and then increases within the load ranges of 200–400 μN. Overall, it is concluded that the modulus of elasticity and hardness of granular γ-alumina are obtained to be equal to 12.6 GPa and 0.433 GPa, respectively. The plasticity index of granular alumina is also examined, and the results show that it is highly plastic with a plasticity index of 0.83. Also, nano scratch tests are performed under two different forces to obtain the scratch resistance of granular γ-alumina. The results reveal that the scratch resistance which is a representative of the friction coefficient, surges from 0.72 to 0.9 by increasing the indenter force. In general, the results indicate that the method of creating the material leads to a doubling of its Young's modulus, which is a measure of its stiffness, and as a result, there is a notable improvement in its overall mechanical strength.
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