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

CICI UTA站点的研究将侧重于土壤-结构相互作用，重点是使用复合材料和纤维增强来提高土壤的抗拉强度，以减轻收缩开裂，从而最大限度地减少冲刷问题。该网站将研究土工复合材料在膨胀土环境中加固墙系统。与复合材料相关的机械和长期耐久性问题也将被探讨。将特别强调生命周期成本分析和可持续性研究，以便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未被充分代表的学生。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。研究成果将通过出版物和报告传播给学术界、研究界和工业界。由于使用特定的复合材料，该基地将制定评估可持续性和减少空气中碳排放的战略。将提供有关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、建筑工程师和代理机构。K-12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.