Collaborative Research: Three-dimensional characterization and modeling of angular materials

该奖项需要南佛罗里达大学和罗文大学之间的合作研究，以开发颗粒形态的三维定量表征方法，以及研究颗粒形状和棱角性对地质材料力学响应的影响。 提出了颗粒三维表征和成像的新方法。 在数字图像分析、形状识别和物体重建等新兴技术的支持下，最近在二维岩土颗粒形状识别方面的创新将适用于绘制颗粒的三维形状。 还将介绍三维颗粒形态的定量测量。 将通过数字图像分析和模式识别在2D和3D颗粒形状之间建立联系。 一个粒子形状的数字图书馆将在网上提供给科学界。 PI最近开发的用于在2D中建模角颗粒形状的方法和算法将扩展到3D，并且使用3D图像分析获得的颗粒几何形状将被并入离散单元法（DEM）代码中。 颗粒形状对粘性和稳态剪切强度的影响将通过实验测量和DEM模拟来评估。 将相应地评估新技术的优点和局限性。 拟议的研究将涉及两个机构的几名本科生和研究生。 此外，教师将通过机构可再生能源技术参与为初中和高中学生制定模块练习。仅此一点就将大大有利于大部分人口。

This award entails collaborative research between the University of South Florida and Rowan University to develop a methodology for three-dimensional quantitative characterization of particle morphology, as well as to examine the effect of particle shape and angularity on the mechanical response of geomaterials. New methods for three-dimensional characterization and imaging of particles are proposed. Recent innovations in geotechnical particle shape identification in two dimensions, supported by emerging technologies in digital image analysis, shape recognition, and object reconstruction will be adapted to map the three-dimensional shapes of particles. Quantitative measures for particle morphologies in three dimensions will also be introduced. A link will be established between 2D and 3D particle shapes through digital image analysis and pattern recognition. A digital library of particle shapes will be made available online to the scientific community. Methods and algorithms recently developed by the PIs to model angular particle shapes in 2D will be extended to 3D, and the particle geometries obtained using the 3D image analysis will be incorporated within a Discrete Element Method (DEM) code. The influence of particle shape on dilatancy and steady state shear strength will be evaluated through experimental measurements and DEM simulations. The advantages and limitations of the new techniques will be assessed accordingly. The proposed research will involve several undergraduate and graduate students at both institutions. In addition, teachers will be engaged in developing modular exercises for middle and high school students through institutional RETs. This alone will be greatly beneficial to the large fraction of the population.