U.S.-India Planning Visit: Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Compressed Earth Block Structures

该奖项支持芝加哥大学早期职业研究员Craig Foster博士和一名研究生的计划访问，以研究压缩土块（CEB）的力学行为。他们将与班加罗尔印度科学研究所（IISc）的土木工程师Venkatarama Reddy博士合作，建立一个正在进行的实验和建模计划，以提高对CEB结构的理解和性能。CEB作为一种高热质量的低成本材料，已经引起了发展中国家和美国可持续发展界的兴趣；然而，关于这些材料的结构行为，还有很多有待了解的地方。本研究的优点包括提高了对压缩土块和砌体的理解。这种理解包括失效模式的知识，以及失效如何通过CEB结构系统进行。其次，该程序将有助于发展具有扩展裂缝的结构的数值技术。特别是，断裂的扩展，材料可能在界面上或在块状材料中失效，将被探索。最终，这种理解将应用于CEB结构的设计规范。更广泛的影响本项目将在几个方面为社会创造更广泛的利益。首先，通过设置视频设备，改善实验室设施。测试的数字胶片可以保存、重新检查并分发给全球的合作伙伴。分发是改善国际伙伴关系的一种方式。访问期间的交流、对材料的动手实验和实地访问将有助于加深对印度和美国的需求和方法的了解，并将促进思想的交流。

0946659Foster Temple This award supports a planning visit for early career researcher, Dr. Craig Foster, University of Chicago and a graduate student to study the mechanical behavior of compressed earth block (CEB). They will collaborate with civil engineer, Dr. Venkatarama Reddy, Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bangalore to establish an ongoing experimental and modeling program for improving the understanding and performance of CEB structures. As a low cost material with high thermal mass, CEB has gained interest in developing countries and in the US sustainability community; however, much remains to be understood about the structural behavior of these materials. Intellectual MeritsThe merits of this research include an improved understanding of compressed earth block and masonry in general. This understanding includes knowledge of failure modes, and how failure progresses through a CEB structural system. Secondly, the program will aid in the development of numerical techniques for structures with propagating fractures. In particular, the propagation of fractures where the material may fail either at an interface or in the bulk material will be explored. Eventually this understanding will be applied to design codes for CEB structures. Broader Impacts There are several ways in which this project will create broader benefits to society. First, by setting up video equipment, the laboratory facilities will be improved. Digital films of tests may be saved, reexamined, and distributed to partners across the globe. The distribution is one way in which international partnerships will be improved. The communications during the visit, the hands on experiments with the material, and the site visits will help build understanding of the needs and approaches in India and the U.S., and will foster cross-fertilization of ideas.