title: Determination of optimum moisture content and degradation of shear strength over time for Hamilton ash materials

authors: Kuman, Doney

subjects: Hamilton Ash

abstract: Hamilton Ash is one of the widely used materials in earthwork projects throughout the Waikato region. Regardless of its frequent and widespread usage, limited research has been undertaken regarding its geotechnical properties. It has been 
observed that after the completion of fill construction, Hamilton Ash unit tends to saturate overtime thus leading to a gradual loss of shear strength and ultimately resulting in ground instability. Common instabilities associated with soil fills are settlement and subsidence which in excess can result in distortion and damage to 
structures, services and infrastructures that are founded on the material subjected to the movement. The compaction stage, wherein the problem originates, can be optimized if better understanding of the geotechnical properties of Hamilton Ash is attained. 

My project focused on determining the key compaction parameters of Hamilton Ash which are the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density. Further investigation into the degrading influence of prolonged exposure to moisture on the shear strength is also undertaken. The use of laboratory compaction tests have been recognized as mandatory procedures in determining the crucial parameters for field-based applications. The Standard Proctor test was implemented in this research to help determine the key compaction parameters; Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Density of Hamilton Ash. Prior to the compaction tests, the important index properties of the soil that influence compaction were identified via several soil characterization tests, namely Atterberg Limits, grainsize and mineralogical analyses. Laboratory vane shear testing was also employed in this research to determine the strength of the compacted soil before and after wetting periods.

text: Determination of optimum moisture content and degradation of shear strength over time for Hamilton ash materials Hamilton Ash is one of the widely used materials in earthwork projects throughout the Waikato region. Regardless of its frequent and widespread usage, limited research has been undertaken regarding its geotechnical properties. It has been 
observed that after the completion of fill construction, Hamilton Ash unit tends to saturate overtime thus leading to a gradual loss of shear strength and ultimately resulting in ground instability. Common instabilities associated with soil fills are settlement and subsidence which in excess can result in distortion and damage to 
structures, services and infrastructures that are founded on the material subjected to the movement. The compaction stage, wherein the problem originates, can be optimized if better understanding of the geotechnical properties of Hamilton Ash is attained. 

My project focused on determining the key compaction parameters of Hamilton Ash which are the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density. Further investigation into the degrading influence of prolonged exposure to moisture on the shear strength is also undertaken. The use of laboratory compaction tests have been recognized as mandatory procedures in determining the crucial parameters for field-based applications. The Standard Proctor test was implemented in this research to help determine the key compaction parameters; Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Density of Hamilton Ash. Prior to the compaction tests, the important index properties of the soil that influence compaction were identified via several soil characterization tests, namely Atterberg Limits, grainsize and mineralogical analyses. Laboratory vane shear testing was also employed in this research to determine the strength of the compacted soil before and after wetting periods.

year: 2019

title: Beach response to a sequence of extreme storms

authors: Coco, Giovanni

subjects: nearshore

abstract: A sequence of daily beach surveys acquired over one month covering an area larger than 100,000 m2, was analyzed to study morphological changes resulting from a cluster of storms. The beach response was highly variable in both the cross- and alongshore. A cumulative storm effect was not observed, despite one storm being characterized by a 10-year return period that had significant wave height (Hs) of 8.1 m and a peak wave period (Tp) of 17 s. Instead, storms that can potentially cause significant erosion in terms of Hs had a limited effect on the morphology because the large wave height was coupled to either neap tides, normally-incident short-waves (f > 0.04 Hz), or low levels of infragravity (0.004 < f < 0.04 Hz) energy. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that volumetric changes in the upper part of the beachface are explained by offshore wave characteristics (period, height and direction), tidal range or by infragravity energy in the inner surf zone (assessed using pressure and velocity measurements). The results indicate that it is not possible to scale-up single-storm erosion studies into predictions of cluster-storm erosion.

text: Beach response to a sequence of extreme storms A sequence of daily beach surveys acquired over one month covering an area larger than 100,000 m2, was analyzed to study morphological changes resulting from a cluster of storms. The beach response was highly variable in both the cross- and alongshore. A cumulative storm effect was not observed, despite one storm being characterized by a 10-year return period that had significant wave height (Hs) of 8.1 m and a peak wave period (Tp) of 17 s. Instead, storms that can potentially cause significant erosion in terms of Hs had a limited effect on the morphology because the large wave height was coupled to either neap tides, normally-incident short-waves (f > 0.04 Hz), or low levels of infragravity (0.004 < f < 0.04 Hz) energy. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that volumetric changes in the upper part of the beachface are explained by offshore wave characteristics (period, height and direction), tidal range or by infragravity energy in the inner surf zone (assessed using pressure and velocity measurements). The results indicate that it is not possible to scale-up single-storm erosion studies into predictions of cluster-storm erosion.

year: 2013

title: Indigenising the screen: Screenplay and critical analysis for The Prophet

authors: Bristowe, Joseph Curtis

subjects: indiginization

abstract: This thesis tests the hypothesis that it is possible to both decolonise and indigenise the New Zealand cinema screen. Secondary research reveals how those discourses that promoted roles and expectations for Māori within the New Zealand film industry were based principally upon historical colonial ideologies imposed by various means upon the native populous, and subsequently reproduced. These discourses of race, gender and religion perpetuate negative belief systems about Māori and contribute to the reproduction of stereotypical images of Māori, such as the irrational, naive, simpleminded and warlike Māori man, or the domesticated, lustful and sexually available Māori woman. 

Research by creative practice advances the project of decolonising the New Zealand screen through the writing of a feature length screenplay based on careful research and intimate cultural knowledge, and by working according to an appropriate kaupapa Māori framework. The resulting screenplay, The Prophet, brings to life the multitude of forces that coalesced to shape the life of 19th century Māori warrior and prophet, Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki. In his death, as in his life, he remains an enigmatic figure. In written accounts and in Pākehā memories he appears as a violent rebel, mass murderer and religious fanatic. This epic re-telling focuses on the character of Te Kooti, showing him to be a man who accomplished great feats in the face of injustice, adversity and hardship. 
A critical analysis of the screenplay reveals how I adopted a unique cross cultural writing approach drawing upon both the 'classic' western narrative structure as well as kaupapa Māori pūrākau oral tradition. I argue that this approach combines effectively to materialise strong anti-colonial perspectives aimed specifically at subverting long-held and dominant colonial discourses. Such an approach to scriptwriting rejects the tradition of being defined, constructed and represented through discourses that serve to promote the interests of the Pākehā majority and, in doing so, urges the utilisation of Māori philosophies, concepts and practices in the scriptwriting/film production process.

text: Indigenising the screen: Screenplay and critical analysis for The Prophet This thesis tests the hypothesis that it is possible to both decolonise and indigenise the New Zealand cinema screen. Secondary research reveals how those discourses that promoted roles and expectations for Māori within the New Zealand film industry were based principally upon historical colonial ideologies imposed by various means upon the native populous, and subsequently reproduced. These discourses of race, gender and religion perpetuate negative belief systems about Māori and contribute to the reproduction of stereotypical images of Māori, such as the irrational, naive, simpleminded and warlike Māori man, or the domesticated, lustful and sexually available Māori woman. 

Research by creative practice advances the project of decolonising the New Zealand screen through the writing of a feature length screenplay based on careful research and intimate cultural knowledge, and by working according to an appropriate kaupapa Māori framework. The resulting screenplay, The Prophet, brings to life the multitude of forces that coalesced to shape the life of 19th century Māori warrior and prophet, Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki. In his death, as in his life, he remains an enigmatic figure. In written accounts and in Pākehā memories he appears as a violent rebel, mass murderer and religious fanatic. This epic re-telling focuses on the character of Te Kooti, showing him to be a man who accomplished great feats in the face of injustice, adversity and hardship. 
A critical analysis of the screenplay reveals how I adopted a unique cross cultural writing approach drawing upon both the 'classic' western narrative structure as well as kaupapa Māori pūrākau oral tradition. I argue that this approach combines effectively to materialise strong anti-colonial perspectives aimed specifically at subverting long-held and dominant colonial discourses. Such an approach to scriptwriting rejects the tradition of being defined, constructed and represented through discourses that serve to promote the interests of the Pākehā majority and, in doing so, urges the utilisation of Māori philosophies, concepts and practices in the scriptwriting/film production process.

year: 2009