Impacts of Stress History on the Mechanical Properties of Sediment Beds
Abstract
The objective of the proposed work is to understand the details of how the history of imposed fluid-borne stress modifies the force and contact networks in granular earth materials (and in particular, sub-critical stresses that do not dislodge grains), and how this restructuring affects the mechanical properties of these materials. In particular, we aim to (1) characterize changes to the loading of grain-grain contacts in response to subcritical stresses applied by fluid flow; (2) quantify how these changes impact the way the material can support surface loads; and (3) determine how the mechanical properties of the material are affected when additional grains are deposited on the surface of the pre-stressed material. These aims will be accomplished by a complementary program of numerical simulations, which model the essential physics, but allow access to the detailed interior structure of the material, and laboratory experiments, which contain the exact physical interactions, but are more limited in what can be measured directly. Results from the project will deepen our understanding of how the stress history of granular earth materials influences their mechanical properties, and how vehicles interact with these materials in floodprone regions. The results may also suggest interventions and processing strategies for tailoring the properties of granular earth materials for other Army applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 19, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310032
Entities
People
- Corey O Hern
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- Yale University