CAREER: A Multi-Scale Computational Paradigm for Research and Education in Geomaterials

该学院早期职业发展(CALEAR)项目的研究目标是通过多尺度探测框架，在颗粒土壤中建立关键宏观材料特性与潜在微观结构之间的联系，从而绕过唯象材料演化规律。我们致力于在颗粒尺度上建立良好的连续介质力学框架和离散力学之间的桥梁，同时通过结合先进的实验和X射线技术以及基于参数表面的接触力学来捕捉真实的微观结构(例如，颗粒形状和运动学)。根植于研究目标，该项目的教育目标是增加地质力学基本概念(例如渗透率)的可及性，以产生更深入的学习。高中生和本科生将致力于实践经验的发展，这些经验将引导其他人观察和理论综合教学和研究中使用的重要概念。然后，这些经验将被用作本科生课程的外展倡议和诱导性教学的一部分。这些经验将通过互联网广泛提供，并将利用仪器和可视化的最新发展，使它们变得容易获得和负担得起。在岩土材料中准确地连接多个尺度的基础研究将改变我们对这些材料的理解，导致预测模型的发展和工程和科学教育方法的改进。这种多尺度框架可以通过操纵纳米(微观)结构、深层油藏中颗粒岩石的更可靠的孔隙尺度模型以及滑坡期间的土壤物理模型来配制更持久的绿色混凝土，从而产生潜在的深远的社会影响。与工业界和学术界的合作将加强研究和教育的基础设施。美国本科生和高中生的加入将有助于代表不足的群体更广泛地参与。这项工作将使我们在应对社会挑战方面采取重大步骤：招聘和保留一支有能力满足我们在能源、基础设施和可持续发展方面的迫切需求的科学和工程方面的有才华的劳动力。

The research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project is to establish a link between key macroscopic material properties and the underlying micro-structure in granular soils via a multi-scale probing framework, thereby bypassing phenomenological material evolution laws. We focus on establishing a bridge between the well-established continuum mechanics framework and discrete mechanics at the granular scale, while capturing the real micro-structure (e.g., grain shape and kinematics) by combining advanced experimental and X-ray techniques with contact mechanics based on parametric surfaces. Ingrained to the research objective, the educational objective of this project is to increase the accessibility of fundamental concepts in geomechanics (e.g., permeability) to yield deeper learning. High school and undergraduate students will work on the development of hands-on experiences that will lead others to the observation and theoretical synthetization of important concepts used in teaching and research. The experiences will then be used as part of outreach initiatives and inductive teaching in the undergraduate curriculum. The experiences will be made widely available via the Internet and will leverage recent developments in instrumentation and visualization to make them accessible and affordable.Basic research connecting multiple scales accurately in geomaterials will transform our understanding of these materials, resulting in the development of predictive models and improved educational methods in engineering and science. This multi-scale framework could be used to formulate more durable greener concrete by manipulating the nano (micro) structure, more reliable pore-scale models for granular rocks in deep oil reservoirs, and physics-based models for soils during landslides, thus having a potentially deep societal impact. Collaboration with industry and academia will enhance the infrastructure for research and education. The inclusion of American undergraduate and high school students will contribute to broader participation of underrepresented groups. The work will allow significant steps towards addressing societal challenges: recruitment and retention of a talented workforce in science and engineering capable of addressing our pressing needs in energy, infrastructure, and sustainability.