Enhancing the Life Cycle of Plastic Pipes Through Nano-reinforcement

该项目汇集了对先进(纳米)和回收材料的研究，适用于塑料管道基础设施、生命周期成本计算，以及针对管道制造商和公用事业最终用户的实用工具。将使用实验测试方法结合多尺度模型来表征纳米粘土增强塑料管在基础设施管道使用寿命期间预期的应力条件下的材料响应，并确定满足压力和非压力条件下使用寿命标准的纳米粘土和再生塑料成分。从材料测试到多尺度模型，再到生命周期模型，将为管材制造商提供实用和公开可用的管材成本工具提供经验依据，以指导纳米复合塑料管的设计选材。该项目的成功完成将对工程材料产生广泛的影响，还将加强研究生和本科生对新建筑材料及其在性能和相关成本方面的优势和限制的认识教育。基于拟议的研究，将创建多个具有真实基础设施应用的案例研究项目，作为研究生为本科生提供指导的平台。学生将学习新兴建筑材料的工程基础、环境和成本方面，以及将工程研究付诸实践的重要性。塑料的回收以及与这一过程相关的科学将为一个以环境为主题的K-12教育项目奠定基础。

This project brings together research on advanced (nano) and recycled materials suitable for plastic pipe infrastructure, life cycle costing, and a practical tool targeted to pipe manufacturers and public utility end-users. Experimental testing methods combined with multi-scale modeling will be used to characterize the material response of nanoclay reinforced plastic pipe when subjected to stress conditions expected during the service life of infrastructure pipe; and to determine nanoclay and recycled plastic compositions that meet service life standards for pressure and non-pressure conditions. Multiscale models will be developed based on polymer molecular structures to capture the cracking behavior and to predict the lifetime of pipe made from appropriate mixes of pristine and nanoclay reinforced recycled plastic.Research results from material testing, to multi-scale model, to life cycle model, will formulate the empirical basis for a practical and publicly available pipe cost tool directed at pipe manufacturers to guide the selection of material in designing nanocomposite plastic pipe. Successful completion of this project will have a broad impact on engineering materials and will also strengthen graduate and undergraduate education in the awareness of new construction materials and their advantages and limitations regarding performance and associated costs. Multiple case study projects with real-world infrastructure application will be created based on the proposed research to serve as platforms for graduate students to provide mentoring to undergraduate students. Students will learn both the engineering fundamentals and environmental and cost aspects of emerging construction materials and the importance of implementing engineering research into practice. The recycling of plastics along will the science associated with the process will ground an environmentally themed K-12 education program.