MRI: Acquisition of a Rock Triaxial Testing System

该NSF MRI奖资助了最先进的岩石三轴测试系统的收购，该系统是北佛罗里达大学地质力学和地质成像实验室的核心。 该测试系统在三轴条件下耦合水文，地球物理和机械（静态和动态压缩）测试功能。岩石三轴测试系统增强了现有的试样制备设备，预测试表征设备，指数测试设备和声发射监测设备，以在主要的本科院校创建一个独特的实验岩石表征设施。该测试系统支持的项目包括：表征脆性大孔材料的特性和行为;解决技术问题，使工程师能够在风化的佛罗里达石灰岩中设计经济、可持续的地下基础设施;开发知识，使工程师、科学家和政策制定者能够评估佛罗里达州地质碳封存的潜力。三轴测试系统支持北佛罗里达大学地质材料表征方面的前沿教学、教育和研究。 拥有这种独特的实验表征系统，增强了与佛罗里达州内外研究人员的多学科合作研究项目。 使用岩石三轴测试系统生成的实验数据通过专门的基于网络的数字图书馆传播给研究人员和教育工作者。除了学生，教师和研究人员，从这个系统中受益的更广泛的社区包括高中生谁参加北佛罗里达工程学院和国家决策者谁决定在国家努力到地质碳封存的大学内的推广活动。

This NSF MRI award funds the acquisition of a state-of-the-art rock triaxial testing system, which is the centerpiece of the Geo-Mechanics and Geo-Imaging laboratory at the University of North Florida. The testing system couples hydrological, geophysical, and mechanical (static and dynamic compression) testing capabilities under triaxial conditions. The rock triaxial testing system augments existing specimen preparation equipment, pre-test characterization equipment, index test equipment, and acoustic emission monitoring equipment to create a unique experimental rock characterization facility at a predominately undergraduate institution. Projects to be supported by the testing system include characterization of the properties and behavior of brittle macroporous materials; addressing technical issues that will allow engineers to design economic; sustainable subsurface infrastructure in weathered Florida limestone; and developing knowledge that will allow engineers, scientists, and policy makers to assess the potential for geologic carbon sequestration in the state of Florida. The triaxial testing system supports cutting edge instruction, education, and research in geological material characterization at the University of North Florida. Possessing this unique experimental characterization system enhances numerous multidisciplinary collaborative research projects with researchers within and outside of the state of Florida. Experimental data generated using the rock triaxial testing system is disseminated to researchers and educators using a dedicated web-based digital library. Beyond students, faculty and researchers, the broader community which benefits from this system includes high school students who participate in outreach activities within the University of North Florida's School of Engineering and state policy makers who decide upon state endeavors into geologic carbon sequestration.