Planning Grant: I/UCRC for Expansion of CICI to Add a Site at UTA on Sustainable Utilization of Composites in Infrastructure Systems

CiCi在UTA工地的研究将集中在土壤-结构相互作用上，重点是使用复合材料和纤维增强材料来提高土壤的抗拉强度，以减轻收缩裂缝，最大限度地减少冲刷问题。该网站将研究膨胀土环境中加筋土墙系统中的土工合成材料。此外，还将探讨与复合材料相关的机械和长期耐久性问题。将特别重视生命周期成本分析和可持续性研究，以更好地了解应用于民用基础设施项目的新型复合材料的好处。UTA的网站将努力吸引不同种族和背景的代表不足的学生。他们将在土工合成材料和土工复合材料相关领域培养训练有素的劳动力，从而提高美国工业的全球竞争力。研究将通过出版物和演示文稿向学术界、研究界和产业界传播。该网站将制定战略，评估由于使用特定复合材料而导致的空气中碳排放的可持续性和减少。将提供关于复合材料应用和可持续实践的短期课程，以教育和培训执业工程师、建筑工程师和机构。K-12年级的学生将通过夏令营参与该项目。

The research at UTA site of CICI will focus upon soil-structure interaction with an emphasis on minimizing scour issues using composites and fiber reinforcements to enhance the tensile strengths of the soils to mitigate shrinkage cracking. The site will investigate geocomposites in reinforced wall systems in expansive soil environment. Both mechanical and long term durability issues related to composite materials will also be explored. Special emphasis will be given to life-cycle cost analysis and sustainability studies for better understanding of the benefits of using novel composites, as applied to civil infrastructure projects.The site at UTA will make effort to involve underrepresented students of various ethnicity and backgrounds. They will develop trained workforce in areas related to geosynthetics and geocomposites, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of US industry. Research will be disseminated to the academia, research community and industry through publications and presentations. The site will develop strategies for evaluating sustainability and reduction of carbon emissions in air due to the usage of specific composite materials. Short courses on the applications of composites and sustainable practices will be offered to educate and train practicing engineers, construction engineers and agencies. K-12 students will be involved in the program through summer camps.