An improved understanding of the role of EPS geofoam inclusion in reducing earth pressure on buried structures

这项建议中概述的研究旨在提高我们对地下建筑物(管道、涵洞和隧道)上方的发泡聚苯乙烯(EPS)地泡沫夹杂的短期和长期影响的了解。McGill的研究小组在NSERC Engage赠款的资助下进行了一项初步研究，以开发一种实验室装置，允许在静态和循环载荷下连续测量埋地圆柱形管道上的接触压力分布。这一合作研究项目将涉及广泛的实验调查，以评估地球泡沫密度和地层厚度对结构与周围地面之间界面处接触压力分布的影响。此外，还将研究使用过的土工泡沫材料在持续载荷下的蠕变行为。建议的研究将对更好地理解采用诱导沟槽法建造的地下结构的短期和长期响应具有重要意义。该研究项目将有助于培养两名硕士和一名本科生，他们将参与进行实验工作并对收集的数据进行分析。

The research outlined in this proposal aims to improve our understanding of the short- and long-term effects of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam inclusion above buried structures (pipes, culverts and tunnels). A preliminary study was conducted by the research group at McGill, funded by an NSERC Engage grant, to develop a laboratory setup that allows for the contact pressure profile on buried cylindrical pipes to be continuously measured under both static and cyclic loading. This collaborative research project will involve extensive experimental investigation to evaluate the role of geofoam density and layer thickness on on the contact pressure distribution at the interface between the structure and the surrounding ground. In addition the creep behavior of the used geofoam material under sustained loading will be investigated. The proposed research will be important for developing a better understanding of the short- and long-term response of buried structures constructed using the induced trench method. This research project will contribute to the training of two Master and one undergraduate student who will be involved in conducting the experimental work and analyzing the collected data.