Calculation of Maximum Allowable Free Span Length and Safety Assessment of the DF1-1 Submarine Pipeline

The DFI-1 submarine pipeline was investigated using a dual-frequency side-scan sonar and a swath sounder system. More than a hundred scour pits under the pipeline were found, most of which have caused the span of the pipeline to increase and threatened its safety. The maximum allowable free span length （MAFSL） of the pipeline was determined through the limitations re- garding maximum allowable stress under static or quasi-static loads and the onset of Vortex Induced Vibrations （VIV） under different hydrodynamic actions. The results show that the MAFSL under static conditions is 56m. However, the MAFSLs are 30m and 20m under ordinary weather conditions and hurricane-induced currents for the 100-year return period, respectively, to avoid VIV as cal- culated by using the highest safety class factor. It is suggested that spanning pipelines longer than 20 m should be supported. Addi- tionally, eight successive spans which may also threaten the pipeline were proposed. The most hazardous scour pits are along the pipeline section from KP42 to KP51.

Techniques to Reduce the Energy Consumption in Building in Hot Arid Rejoin （Iraq）

The Iraqi climate is extremely hot and arid zone covers a belt between latitude （29°N to 36°N）. The energy required for air conditioning of Iraqi buildings is about 60% of the entire energy consumption in buildings. This research deals with the possibility of using different technics for the reducing energy consumption in buildings by blocking or eliminates the effect of direct solar radiation in summer season. This study deals with different local insulation materials which were added to the south face of walls surface of Iraqi buildings, as well as built water spray system upon the exterior roof surface to minimize the effect of incident solar radiation upon the roofs and wall surfaces. The results showed that thermal conductivity of local insulation materials （papyrus） are very low, also the results showed that when using water spray roof system, gives good indication to use this method in hot arid rejoins.

Mercury Exposure Assessment in Iraqi Women＇s Hair with Respect to Fish Consumption and Contamination in Marshland （Southern Iraq）

This study investigated the level of mercury in hair samples of pregnant women and newborns living in marshes. Hair mercury concentration, as an indicator of mercury body load, was studied in 30 samples of indigenous women and newborns to assess the association between fish consumption and specific characteristics that can influence exposure. In January 2013, 40 pregnant women were invited to participate. An interview was administered and a questionnaire was used to collect information about age, body weight, height, fish （fresh） consumption, pregnancy stage, residence duration, education level, family income and number of dental amalgam fillings. The results showed that for hair total Hg concentration was 6.47 p.g/g （6.47 ~ 0.71 pg/g）. About 5.9% of mothers had hair total Hg levels in excess of 14 ~tg/g. Maternal hair mercury was above the threshold level of WHO （World Health Organization） （5 pg/g）. As expected, there was a clear increase in hair Hg with reported fresh fish consumption （p = 0.08）. The highest mean in a group who consumed fish several times per week was 5.93 lag/g. Moreover, a significant effect of age and residential time on Hg in women＇s hair was found such as the older women.