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I am Paul Ivan Ceralde, a fifth year student currently taking the last year of my BS

Applied Physics and Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) course. The course
requires two theses, one for applied physics and the other for MSE. Both of which I
decided to do with the Geophysics research group under Dr. Joel Maquiling. I chose
this group because it allows me to think outside the box, giving me freedom to
design and fabricate my setup for experiments. The mechanical properties of
granular material is also quite interesting as it evolves depending on boundary
conditions.
My thesis for the Applied Physics degree was defended and accepted last May,
2016. The study involves detection and analysis of electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
emitted by fracturing concrete subjected to impact loading. Due to limitation of
measuring devices, only the magnetic field component of the EMR was observed.
The existence of the electric field component of the EMR was explained by utilizing
Maxwells equations and analyzing the behavior of the magnetic field measured
through space. The phenomenon was best explained using the Surface oscillation
model formulated by Rabinovitch et. al (2007).

Figure. 2.2. Surface Oscillation Model. a.


Generation of charged atoms (ions) due to
the breaking lattice bonds within the material. b. Formation of lines of charges of opposite
polarity resulting to a dipole oscillation. The image above shows a frozen image of the
surface dipole oscillation

As part of the experimental setup, a concrete beam holder was designed and
machinated such that induced cracks from impact loading would form at the center
of the beam. Six Vernier software magnetic field sensors were used to detect the
magnetic field (MF) component of the EMR released. Initial calibration was done to
minimize noise in the laboratory. The sensors were placed in pairs, 15 mm away
from the concrete surface, occupying the vertical, horizontal and diagonal axis with
respect to the concrete beam. The cracking process involved repeated impact stress
application until failure via uniform weight drop. The time of drop was measured by
determining the occurrence of peak sound levels (dB) induced by the collision noise
using a sound level meter placed within the vicinity. From other we evaluated points
where fluctuations from the magnetic field measurements occurred and labeled it as
emission from the cracking process.

For my MSE thesis, I plan to investigate the effect of artificial root pattern and
geometry on slope stability both in its mechanical (gravity) and hydrological (rain)
aspect. I will be using an organic material thats readily available in the country and
will be fabricating it to emulate common root patterns of different vegetation. The
goal is to reduce the mass of soil displaced by both erosion factors mentioned.

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