This study applied the kunzelstab penetration Test (KPT) or Light Penetrometer to examined penetration resistance values geological profiles and estimate shear strength properties of soils. KPT tests were carried out on steep slopes that exhibit potential slope movement in Chiang Rai province. The principal uses of the KPT are examined; i.e. correction method for N’KPT’ soil profile and allowable bearing capacity of soil foundation. KPT tests were conducted at 13 boreholes each measuring 4.00 m long along the crown of the slope. The results indicated the compacted layer and located the firm layer of soil foundation. The average allowable bearing capacities were 1.53 t/m2 at depth of 1.00-5.00 m and 17.06 t/m2 for 5.00-6.00 m depth respectively. Furthermore this paper presents an analysis of the stability of a slope with the shear strength parameters of the soil and the geological profile were defined based on the results of KPT. The results of factor of safety were below the stable value for analysis cases with groundwater table. Test results demonstrate the usefulness of the KPT method in geotechnical investigations to estimate soil profile and bearing capacity efficiently and economically. This approach is also less time consuming compared to other geotechnical site investigation methods.

The purpose of this research was to study the temperature of burning surf clam shell for soil quality improvement. The experiment was divided two parts 1) the study of the optimum temperature for calcium oxide production by burning 800 900 1000 and 1100 °C 2) the study of using calcium oxide to improve soil qualities of acidic soil and saline soil. The parameters used in the analysis included elements of soil particles soil moisture pH conductivity total content nitrogen phosphorus and potassium. The results showed that the optimum temperature for the production of calcium oxide was 1100 °C since it provided the highest calcium oxide content of 90 % by weight. After applying calcium oxide into acidic soil the composition of soil particles was changed from sandy clay to sandy clay loam. In contrast the soil particle was not changed but the proportion was changed in saline soil. It was also found that calcium oxide reduced soil moisture and influenced the acidity of soil by increasing the pH from 3.39 to 6.92 in acidic soil and 6.49 to 9.11 in saline soil. In addition it was found that the electrical conductivity of the soil was related to salinity. In acidic soil the conductivity of before and after inputting calcium oxide were 0.87 and 1.24 dS/m respectively. In the case of saline soil the conductivity of before and after improvement were 14.37 and 18.80 dS/m respectively. Besides it was found that the total content of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium were reduced after the experiment.

This research work was to study the improvement of toughness of polylactic acid (PLA) and the cost reduction of raw material with addition of untreated and treated oil palm fiber (OPF). The detail of this work was divided into two parts. The first was to find the suitable condition for surface treatment of OPF with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The second part was to study the effect of untreated and treated OPF contents on the mechanical properties of PLA. For surface treatment of OPF NaOH concentrations and immersion times were varied from 0 to 15 wt% and 0 to 30 min respectively. Aspect ratio (L/D) and surface of untreated and treated OPF were investigated by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively. The result suggested that the most suitable condition for surface treatment of OPF was NaOH concentration of 10 wt% at immersion time of 20 min. Treated OPF was occurred microporous and had more rough as compare to untreated fiber. For the effect of untreated and treated OPF contents on the mechanical properties of PLA it was evaluated by tensile and impact testing. SEM was used for investigation of interfacial adhesion and fiber dispersion. The results showed that tensile modulus and impact strength tend to increase with adding 2.5 wt% OPF content and slightly changed at higher OPF content whereas ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increasing fiber content. Surface treatment with NaOH led to enhancement of mechanical properties of composite due to improve interfacial adhesion and fiber dispersion.

The study using rice bran oil shortening substitute margarine pastry in Puff Pastry the objectives of this study were to investigate the basic puff pastry to study volume of four types of using rice bran oil shortening substitute margarine pastry in puff pastry at shortening 0% 25% 50% 100% percent of total margarine pastry weight. The experiment was conducted by using randomized complete block design (RCBD) to evaluate product attributes in appearance color flavor taste texture and overall liking with the 9- Point Hedonic Scale. There were 80 tasters who were instructors and students at the Foods and Nutrition Major the Faculty of Home Economics Technology at Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon. Data were analyzed through mean (xˉ) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). From the study on the amount of four recipes of using rice bran oil shortening substitute margarine pastry in puff pastry. The basic formula 0% 25% 50% and 100%. The tester acceptance of shortening 25% formula most. In terms of color flavor taste texture and overall liking in medium. The basic formula 0% and shortening 25%. The tester acceptance in terms of appearance higher than other recipes liking in very. When the variance was analyzed and statistical difference was compared It was found that the appearance color flavor taste texture and overall liking was different with statistical significance at the 0.05 level.

This paper presents the experimental results of the oil extraction process from wild almond seeds by mechanical and chemical methods. The optimum conditions for the biodiesel production from the extracted oil via transesterification reaction using methanol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) are reported. Chemical extraction was found to be an effective technique for wild almond oil extraction. Simple distillation was used as oil extraction unit applying 140 ml of n-hexane as solvent at 70ºC for 20 min. The oil yield was 43.11±0.98%. This extracted oil was used as raw material for biodiesel production with the maximum yield of 83.20±1.11%. The optimum conditions for biodiesel production were the catalyst loading of 0.5 wt% and 9:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil in a controlled reaction temperature of 70ºC for 60 min. Finally the properties of biodiesel were analyzed and most properties met the requirements of the department of energy business standard.