A geotechnical-geophysical study of the peat deposit underlying the U Minh Thuong forest with reference to mitigation of forest fire | |
| Author | Kieu Le Thuy Chung |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GE-03-05 |
| Subject(s) | Geophysics--Vietnam--U Minh Thuong National Park Soil mechanics--Vietnam--U Minh Thuong National Park Peat--Geology--Vietnam--U Minh Thuong National Park |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GE-03-05 |
| Abstract | The fires of peatland in the U Minh Thuong forest have almost consumed the area of the forest, and threatened the fauna and floral species and their habitat, and the local resident's living. The fires can take place on the surface and underground; the later is smoldering and can facilitate the surface fire become more furiously. However, the existing studies have not pointed out the role of the underlying peat layer as an impo11ant source to forest fires. An integrated geotechnical and geophysical investigation on the peat deposit was proposed in this study. The electric imaging technique to map the peat deposit underlying the U Minh Thuong fo rest, and the laboratory testing were done to investigate the geotechnical characteristics of U Minh Thuong peat. Information layers for a GIS-based database based on the collected and new geo-data were developed. And interviews were made to local residents to assess the human factor in causing the fire and its control. Nineteen peat samples were collected, using hand-carving as the most appropriate method in the submerged condition of the site. The geotechnical and resistivity testing were canied out to provide with the geotechnical and resistivity parameters of the peat samples. Some empirical relationships between resistivity and water content of the peat sample were found and thought to be useful in assessing the fire conditions. The 2D electric imaging survey had been carried out on dike and unde1water along three lines, using the no1mal electrode system and submerged electrode system to detect the peat layer. In addition, to compensate for small amount of fieldwork, fmward modeling was done for determination of the appropriate electrode configuration and unit elech·ode spacing for detecting peat deposit as well as the bounda1y between the burnt and unburnt zones. The results showed that the recommended unit electrode spacing equals to the thickness of the peat layer, and the elech·ode configuration is Pole-Dipole anay. But most important finding was that electric imaging can be used to assess the peat thickness, which is an important parameter for fire mitigation and forest regeneration. Interview survey on 38 people was done. The living standards of local residents are very poor and become poorer after the fire. Thus, to conh·ibute to forest development in terms of human factor, local government should deliver encouraging policies to local residents. In addition, local residents and even officers of the management board of the forest should be educated in forest protection and forest fire extinguishment. The significant finding was that most of the fires were initiated by man-made activities, which are the direct causes, while the environmental conditions serve as indirect causes to the fires. A systematic database for the U Minh Thuong forest has a meaningful role in fire prevention and forest development. Because the collected data are not so much, only some layers of a GIS-based geotechnical database were built. The fu11her works for a complete database are recommended |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GE-03-05 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical Engineering (GE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pham Huy Giao; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Noppadol Phienwej; Park, Kyung-Ho; Truong Quang; Meer, Freek van der ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003 |