Adapting selected soil and water engineering technology to Thailand conditions

Abstract

Techniques were developed for the purpose of applying soil and water conservation structure designs utilized in the United States for use in Thailand. Design parameters currently being used in the United States were first studied and evaluated as to their development and application. The range of application of the various soil and water conservation structures were determined. This process included an evaluation of the soil types, land use, topography, and climatic factors in terms of their effect on the types of soil and water conservation structure designs to be utilized. Since the parameters may act separately or in various combinations, design limits are essential for each one.

In the second step of the study, all available survey data applicable in characterizing these same parameters in Thailand were assembled and analyzed for each region. From this analysis, design ranges and the limits for each factor were estimated, based on the research and experience in the United States. Particular attention focused on the research of Beasley and the research compiled in the Engineering Field Manual.

Finally, these estimated design values for Thailand's conditions were substituted in United States formulae. From these substitutions, other design procedures for model designs of several major engineering soil and water conservation structures were developed.