Collaborative Research: An Integrated Experimental and Computational, Multiscale Study of Geopolymers for Next Generation Soil Improvement

合作研究：用于下一代土壤改良的地质聚合物的综合实验和计算、多尺度研究

• 批准号: 1301070
• 负责人: Guoping Zhang
• 金额: $ 17.17万
• 依托单位: Louisiana State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-06-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1301070&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Integrated; Experimental; Computational

The role of inorganic geopolymer technology in sustainable development has recently been manifested in a great number of research activities and publications. To date, a wide array of viable applications of geopolymer has been explored, some of which have been demonstrated in field pilot projects. Yet, its potential applications in geotechnical engineering, particularly as a cementitious material for soil improvement, have rarely been studied. Collaborative research under this award will fill this gap, by exploring geopolymer as the next generation soil stabilizer for geotechnical applications. The research program includes: (1) studying the viability of geopolymers for soil improvement, and (2) revealing the fundamental science on the nanoscale geopolymer-clay interactions and hence the soil cementation and stabilization mechanisms. This study will also create the enabling knowledge on multiscale chemo-microstructural-mechanical modeling of geopolymer-improved soils. Integrated experimental and computational work, consisting of materials synthesis and processing, microstructural characterization, multiscale mechanical testing, molecular simulations, and multiscale modeling, will be conducted to achieve the aforementioned goal so that the emerging geopolymer technology can be exploited by geotechnical engineers for sustainable construction. This study is potentially transformative by introducing an innovative, "green" cementitious material to geotechnical engineering research and practice, with the potential to evolve into a series of new technological and economic advancements. Successful completion of the project will further advance currently ongoing worldwide efforts in sustainable infrastructure construction, environmental protection, and energy conservation. The success of this study is expected to result in benefits to diverse industries such as infrastructure materials and construction, energy conservation, waste utilization and reduction, and environmental protection, because geopolymer is regarded as a "green," energy- and environment-friendly material. This study also tackles a combination of global sustainability issues (e.g., CO2 emission, energy conservation, and environmental protection), and hence is expected to generate significant technological, environmental, and economic impacts. Concurrent education and outreach activities will be integrated into the research to disseminate knowledge, provide training, and facilitate technology transfer. First, outreach will be achieved by high school visits, presentations, attending science fairs/symposia, and other special "MA-Strive" and "La-STEM" programs to attract more students to STEM. Second, undergraduate and graduate training and mentoring are an integrated part of this research, with particular emphasis on women, minority, and/or disadvantaged students. Third, the project's impact will be extended, via meetings and conferences, to engineers in private industries and state agencies through proactive participation in local engineering societies' activities, and prompt dissemination of research findings.

无机地球聚合物技术在可持续发展中的作用最近在许多研究活动和出版物中表现出来。迄今为止，已经探索了各种可行的地球聚合物应用，其中一些已在现场试点项目中得到了证明。然而，很少研究其在岩土工程中的潜在应用，尤其是作为土壤改善的水泥材料。该奖项下的合作研究将填补这一空白，通过探索地球聚合物作为岩土技术应用的下一代土壤稳定剂。该研究计划包括：（1）研究地球聚合物以改善土壤的生存能力，（2）揭示了纳米级地质聚合物粘土相互作用的基础科学，因此揭示了土壤胶结和稳定机制。这项研究还将创建有关地质聚合物改良土壤的多尺度化学化学微观结构机械建模的知识。将进行集成的实验和计算工作，包括材料合成和加工，微结构表征，多尺度机械测试，分子模拟和多尺度建模，以实现上述目标，以便可以通过地理技术工程师利用新兴的地理合并技术来实现可持续构建的地理工程师。通过将创新的“绿色”水泥材料引入岩土工程研究和实践，有可能发展为一系列新的技术和经济进步，这是有可能进行变革的。该项目的成功完成将进一步促进目前正在进行的全球基础设施建设，环境保护和节能方面的努力。预计这项研究的成功将为各种行业提供好处，例如基础设施材料和建筑，节能，废物利用和减少以及环境保护，因为地球聚合物被视为一种“绿色”，能源和环境友好的材料。这项研究还解决了全球可持续性问题（例如CO2排放，节能和环境保护）的结合，因此有望产生重大的技术，环境和经济影响。并发的教育和外展活动将纳入研究中，以传播知识，提供培训并促进技术转移。首先，将通过高中访问，演讲，参加科学博览会/研讨会以及其他特殊的“ Ma-Strive”和“ LA-STEM”计划来实现外展活动，以吸引更多的学生来做STEM。其次，本科和研究生培训和指导是这项研究的一部分，特别是妇女，少数群体和/或处境不利的学生。第三，通过会议和会议将通过积极参与当地工程社会的活动，并迅速传播研究结果，将项目的影响扩大到私营企业和州机构的工程师。