Effects of Climate Change on Buried Structures Free-Samples

Question: Discuss about the Effects of Climate Change on Buried Structures. Answer: Introduction There are different types of buried structures including culverts, underground storage tanks, pipelines, tunnels, conduits and reservoirs, among others (Exponent, (n.d.)). These structures are made of different materials and they serve a wide range of purposes (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2013). Most buried structures are designed to carry vertical loads. The structural soundness of these structures can be affected by several factors such as site conditions, soil characteristics, weather, and seismic effects, among others (Anderson, 2008). Climate change is a relatively new factor that is affecting buried structures. Climate change is a global problem and its effects and threats are being witnessed everywhere. The overall effects and threats of climate change include: higher temperatures, rising sea level, changing wildlife habitat and landscape, increased risk of floods, droughts and storms, precipitation patterns change, stronger and intense hurricanes, more heat waves, reduced snow cover, and ocean acidification, among others (NASA, 2017; The Nature Conservancy, 2017). In general, climate change is continuing to threaten present and future generations and is now affecting both aboveground and buried structures. Problem definition The effects of climate change cannot be overemphasized. Over the past few decades, climate change has significantly affected human life and has become a big threat to future generations. The climate change is not only affecting natural ecosystems but also manmade structures and built environment. By and large, many people have concentrated on investigating effects of climate change on aboveground structures. However, climate change has intensified significantly and is now causing immense effects on buried structures. As climate change intensifies, its effects on buried structures are also expected to augment. This is very perilous because the integrity of the buried structures may be compromised unknowingly resulting to unexpected failure of these structures. If this happens, it can lead to deaths, injuries, property damage and a lot of inconveniences to human life. Therefore it is important to understand the effects of buried structures so as to identify appropriate techniques of im proving the integrity of these structures throughout their service life. Goals and Objectives The objectives of this study are to: Establish how various factors of climate change affect buried structures Determine appropriate mechanisms that can be used to prevent buried structures from being significantly affected by climate change. The goal of this study is to have a better understanding of how climate change affects buried structures and put in place measures that will prevent or mitigate these effects. It is worth noting that climate change is a very big issue affecting all part of the world. As the world makes efforts to solve this problem, it is also important to consider how buried structures are affected by this particular problem and so as to developed suitable solutions. This will help in stopping preventable deaths, injuries and property damages, and also improve peoples quality of life. Literature Review Climate change has a huge impact on infrastructure, both underground and aboveground (GlobalChange.gov, 2014). One of the reasons why there has been less attention about the effects of climate change on buried structures is because these structures are not visible to everybody. For instance, people in urban areas use water daily but they do not think about how this water is supplied to them via underground pipes, which are buried structures. Paying little attention to effects of climate change on buried structures is very dangerous these structures can deteriorate over time and fail quicker than it was anticipated by authorities responsible for managing and maintaining them. Buried structures are made of different materials including concrete, metal, plastics, wood, and composites, among others. These materials are vulnerable to a variety of factors resulting from climate change such as extreme heat waves and temperature, ocean acidification, frequent floods and erosion, and stronger and more intense hurricanes, among others. When heat waves and temperatures are very high, this is also felt underground. It results to abnormal softening and expansion that causes cracks and weakening of buried structures. The highly acidic waters from oceans find their ways into underground water that come in contact with buried structures thus deteriorating their integrity and durability. Frequent floods can affect buried structures by causing landslides, creating weak points underground and washing these structures away (Didier, 2014). The floods can also wash away the top soil to cause erosion thus exposing buried structures to devastating environmental effects (U.S. En vironmental Protection Agency, 2016). Climate change can also affect water table, which has numerous negative effects on the stability of buried structures. Last but not least, stronger and more intense hurricanes can shake and vibrate buried structures, which weaken them and lead to structural failure. In general, climate change causes corrosion, cracking, chloride attacks, carbonation, vibration and overall deterioration of buried structures (Wang et al., 2010). Methodology This research will adopt mixed methods research design. The main reason for this is because it will require to collect both qualitative and quantitative data so as to have a better understanding of how climate change affects buried structures. The data will be collected through observations, case studies and longitudinal studies. The data collected will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative quantitative techniques. Various signs and threats of climate change will be analyzed and their potential effects on buried structures established. Cases studies of failure of buried structures will also be investigated so as to identify any links with climate change effects. Also, durability of buried structures will be comprehensively investigated so as to establish if it is in any way affected by climate change. Results and General Discussions on Poential Solution In terms of safety of users of buried structures, the general public and the environment, there is great need for stakeholders involved in the design, construction, management and maintenance of buried structures to consider the effects of climate change on these structures. Climate change has direct or indirect effects on the structural integrity and/or soundness, safety and durability of buried structures. If not properly considered, buried structures may not be able to perform their functions as intended throughout their service life due to effects of climate change. Therefore it is important for relevant stakeholders to ensure that they consider the effects of climate change when planning, designing, constructing, operating/managing and maintaining buried structures. Conclusion The effects of climate change on aboveground and buried structures cannot be overlooked nor overemphasized. Climate change is become a global problem that is threating the lives of living things and the endurance of non-living things. Exploring the effects of climate change on buried structures is a very crucial study because these structures are very essential to human life and the environment as a whole. If the effects of climate change on buried structures are properly investigated and understood, it becomes easier for relevant stakeholders to put in place measures that will prevent these effects from compromising the quality, safety, integrity and durability of buried structures. Thus this study will play a key role in improving the structural soundness, integrity, safety, durability and capability of buried structures to perform intended functions during their entire service life irrespective of effects of climate change. As a result of this, the quality of human life will impro ve. References Anderson, D.G. (2008) Seismic Analysis and Design of Retaining Walls, Buried Structures, Slopes, and Embankments. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board. Didier, C. 92014) Impact of climate change on the stability of underground shallow cavities. The case of a tragedy in France in relation with the Seine flooding in 1910. ISRM International Symposium 2010 and 6. Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium Advances in Rock Engineering, October 2010, New Delhi, India. Exponent (n.d.) Buried Structures [Online]. Available: https://www.exponent.com/services/practices/engineering/civil-engineering/capabilities/geotechnical/buried-structures/?serviceId=d6b0f579-df4c-40d2-ae1f-72cfe16050d7loadAllByPageSize=trueknowledgePageSize=3knowledgePageNum=0newseventPageSize=3newseventPageNum=0showAllProfessionals=2 [Accessed April 22, 2017]. GlobalChange.gov (2014) Infrastructure [Online]. Available: https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/report-findings/infrastructure [Accessed April 22, 2017]. 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