The Monash-Peradeniya-Kodikara (MPK) framework interprets the volumetric behaviour of compacted unsaturated soils in the void ratio − moisture ratio − net stress (e-ew-p) space without requiring suction as an independent constitutive variable. Nevertheless, explicit knowledge of suction distributions within this volumetric space can provide additional insight into hydromechanical behaviour and facilitate comparison with conventional suction-based frameworks. This paper reconstructs continuous suction surfaces on and inside the Loading Wetting State Boundary Surface (LWSBS) within the MPK space by combining suction topology inferred from published experimental datasets with a constrained mathematical reconstruction methodology consistent with MPK principles. The reconstruction is divided into three regions relative to the Line of Optimums (LOO). At the wet side of the LOO, suction contours on the LWSBS are reconstructed using effective stress relationships and semilogarithmic compression relationships. At the dry side of the LOO, suction contours are reconstructed from Soil Water Characteristic Curves (SWCCs) extended towards the dry condition using cubic Bézier curves. Suction contours inside the LWSBS are reconstructed on constant net stress planes using fifth-order Bézier curves to generate smooth, continuous, and nonintersecting suction surfaces. Application to kaolin and Merri Creek soils produces suction profiles consistent with reported experimental trends, including suction reduction during constant moisture loading and a distinct transition in contour curvature across the LOO. The reconstructed suction surfaces preserve the fundamental structure of the MPK framework while providing the first explicit continuous hydraulic representation of suction within the MPK volumetric state space. They enable estimation of suction at intermediate soil states where direct measurements are unavailable, facilitate comparison with conventional suction-based interpretations, and establish a foundation for future constitutive, numerical, and coupled hydromechanical modelling within the MPK framework.
This study investigates the performance of the Constant Radial Stiffness Triaxial (CRST) test for simulating pavement loading conditions compared to the traditional repeated load triaxial test. Through the integration of an advanced constitutive model capable of accurately simulating cyclic hardening in unsaturated soils, a fully coupled Finite Element (FE) model for unsaturated soils is developed. This FE model enables the exploration of the effects of varying degrees of saturation on soil behaviour under a large number of load cycles, accounting for the complex interactions between the soil skeleton, pore water pressure, and suction. FE examples show how initial soil conditions like the degree of saturation and void ratio, and loading conditions, influence permanent deformations in flexible pavements. These findings can provide insights into pavement permanent deformation mechanisms and demonstrate the effectiveness of the CRST test to provide a reasonable representation of in-situ pavement loading conditions. Furthermore, the study illustrates the FE model’s utility in refining the CRST test design, particularly in determining appropriate radial stiffness values that effectively mimic the influence of surrounding soils. This aspect is vital for improving the relevance of the laboratory testing method to in-situ pavement loading scenarios.
IoT data demands are growing, with Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) offering secure data management, provided they can meet scaling and efficiency requirements that are more restrictive than in conventional application environments. This article comprehensively surveys 27 DLTs of varying paradigms and implementation methods, proposes a scoring method for determining DLT-IoT integration suitability, and then applies that method to the surveyed DLTs. Six DLTs were shortlisted as the most promising, which were then subjected to in-depth analysis around three IoT use cases: health-IoT, e-commerce and automotive manufacturing. We discuss the viability of lightweight DLTs and identify crucial future research directions.
It is increasingly acknowledged that spirituality often exists outside of religious frameworks, and the number of individuals identifying as spiritual but not religious is increasing around the world. Moreover, spirituality has been associated with a variety of positive intrapersonal and interpersonal effects rooted in self-transcendence. However, unlike religiosity, there have been few attempts to synthesize the literature on the relations between nonreligious spirituality, self-transcendence, and prosociality. This rapid review analyzes 53 studies related to these variables, revealing a consistent association between self-transcendence and prosociality. The review also identifies spiritual antecedents for prosocial behaviors across a broad range of ages and cultures, however, associations between these variables and spirituality remain uncleardue to an overabundance of conceptualizations and associated measures. Consensus on the assessment of spirituality has not been reached due to insufficient research beyond cross-sectional methods and samples from 'WEIRD' countries. Furthermore, the review highlights the positive impacts of prosocial behavior and its drivers on well-being.
This study explores the relationships between adults' childhood nature exposure (NE), current NE, and mental well-being. Correlational data from two countries (Australia and Germany) found positive relationships between both childhood and current NE and numerous mental well-being indicators. However, the contribution of childhood NE was indirect, through its relationship to current NE. The German study also assessed ecological behavior and connectedness to nature, and although childhood NE maintained a marginal relation to both these variables, current NE was also precedent in these domains. The relationships between NE and mental well-being and ecological behavior were both mediated by connectedness to nature. Thus, for the mental well-being of humans and protection of the earth, nature exposure should be encouraged and maintained later in life.
