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

本学院早期职业发展（Career）项目的研究目标是通过多尺度探测框架建立颗粒土中关键宏观材料特性与潜在微观结构之间的联系，从而绕过现象学材料演化规律。我们专注于在颗粒尺度上建立已建立的连续力学框架和离散力学之间的桥梁，同时通过将先进的实验和x射线技术与基于参数表面的接触力学相结合，捕捉真实的微观结构（如颗粒形状和运动学）。与研究目标相一致的是，这个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，从而产生更深入的学习。高中和本科学生将致力于实践经验的发展，这些实践经验将引导其他人对教学和研究中使用的重要概念进行观察和理论综合。然后，这些经验将被用作本科课程外展活动和归纳教学的一部分。这些经验将通过互联网广泛提供，并将利用仪器仪表和可视化方面的最新发展，使它们易于获取和负担得起。在地质材料中精确连接多个尺度的基础研究将改变我们对这些材料的理解，从而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）结构来制定更耐用的绿色混凝土，更可靠的孔隙尺度模型用于深层油藏中的颗粒岩石，以及基于物理的滑坡期间土壤模型，从而具有潜在的深远社会影响。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更广泛地参与代表性不足的群体。这项工作将为解决社会挑战迈出重要的一步：招聘和留住有才能的科学和工程人才，能够解决我们在能源、基础设施和可持续发展方面的迫切需求。

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.