CAREER: Linking Rheology to Performance - An Integrated Approach to the Evaluation and Design of Trenchless Technology Fluids

翻译后摘要：本研究涉及的主题的非开挖技术（微隧道，顶管和水平定向钻井）中采用的流体的设计和评价。 这些流体在地下公用设施的建设和修复中发挥着至关重要的作用，仅在美国，地下公用设施的总长度估计就超过3500万英里。 仅水和废水的递延维护成本就超过1000亿美元/年，因此可以扩大建筑和修复资金范围的技术具有重要价值。所有非开挖技术成功的关键是使用具有四个关键功能的流体：润滑;滤饼形成和过滤控制;弃土/切割运输;土壤调理。 为了优化这些流体的选择/设计，必须以综合的方式同时考虑性能的所有这些方面。 本研究的重点是开发一种综合的方法来设计和评价非开挖技术中使用的流体。 这项工作是建立在使用国家的最先进的设备和方法进行的各种流体的流变特性的基本调查。 研究的重点主要是膨润土基流体，两者？纯洁吗以及用用于增强其性能的化合物（不同类型的聚合物、表面活性剂、蜡、微珠）处理。 然而，在第二个基础上，选择聚合物流体也将进行研究。结合流变测试，实验程序包括设计用于在描述的四个主要功能中评估流体的性能的实验，在代表现场发生的那些条件下，用于与流变数据直接相关。 通过最先进的SEM设备和冷冻装置，对水合状态下的流体进行微观结构观察，将提供将观察到的行为与微观结构联系起来的方法。教育活动与研究有直接联系，旨在使包括K-12学生和大学新生在内的广大观众受益。特别是，研究将看到一个本科生团队的直接参与，通过参与创新设计为基础的课程，支持研究活动。 该提案包括一项计划，招聘妇女和代表性不足的少数民族从事土木工程，并增加她们对研究的参与。

Abstract:This research addresses the topic of the design and evaluation of fluids employed in trenchless technology (microtunneling, pipejacking, and horizontal directional drilling). These fluids play a critical role in the construction and rehabilitation of underground utility infrastructures, the total length of which is estimated to exceed 35 million miles in the US alone. With deferred maintenance costs for water and wastewater alone assessed at more than $100 Billion/year, techniques that can extend the reach of the construction and rehabilitation dollar have significant value. Paramount to the success of all trenchless technologies is the use of a fluid which serves four critical functions: lubrication; cake formation and filtration control; spoil/cutting transport; and soil conditioning. For optimal selection/design of these fluids all these aspects of performance must be considered simultaneously in an integrated manner. The focus of this research is to develop an integrated approach to the design and evaluation of fluids used in trenchless technology. The work is founded on a fundamental investigation of the rheological properties of a variety of fluids performed using state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies. The emphasis of the research is primarily on bentonite based fluids, both ?pure? as well as treated with the compounds (polymers of different types, surfactants, waxes, micro-beads) that are used to enhance their properties. However, on a secondary basis select polymeric fluids will also be investigated. In conjunction with the rheological tests, the experimental program includes experiments designed to evaluate the performance of the fluids in the four primary functions described, under conditions representative of those occurring in the field, for direct correlation to the rheological data. Microstructural observations of the fluids in their hydrated state through state of the art SEM equipment with cryo-unit, will provide the means to link observed behavior to microstructure.The educational activities have a direct tie to the research and are designed to benefit a large audience including K-12 students and college freshmen. In particular, the research will see the direct involvement of a team of undergraduate students in support of the research activities through participation in an innovative design based course. The proposal contains a plan for recruiting women and underrepresented minorities to civil engineering and increasing their involvement in research.