Multi-scale Assessment of Freezing-Heating Effects on Clay-rich Materials
Abstract
This project adopts a multi-scale testing approach to examine the impacts of freeze-heat cycles on the clay microstructure and, consequently, the macroscale responses. The aims of this project focus on determining the effects of freeze-heat cycles on volume changes and yield stress of saturated clays and identifying the underlying causes of these effects by studying the freeze-heat effects on the clay pore structure, fabric, and adsorbed water. The methods that will be employed in this project include a state-of-the-art thermo-hydro-mechanical triaxial cell, benchtop Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) and gas adsorption, in addition to (3)various in-situ synchrotron experiments at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The expected outcome of the proposed research is a clear understanding of the evolutions of the clay microstructure over continuous thermal cycles from freezing to elevated temperatures and the effects of these evolutions on clay behavior. This contribution will advance our understanding of the thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of earth surface materials under cycles of extreme temperatures. Such advancements will allow incorporating temperature effects on the design of the national infrastructure. Furthermore, these outcomes will facilitate the development of new, and improve current, clay-based sealing compounds and hydrogels. Additionally, the results will facilitate increasing the effectiveness of the tires, chains, and supports of air-and-ground vehicles, which will ensure the land power dominance of the Army of 2030.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1810068
Entities
People
- Sherif Lotfy Abdelaziz
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Research Foundation for the State University of New York
- United States Army