Experimental investigation and constitutive modelling of reactive soils

该项目旨在开发将活性土壤对基础设施的影响降至最低所需的基本知识、机械框架和实用的工程设计工具。活性土在被富盐地下水浸湿或侵入时会发生显著的膨胀和弱化，而在干燥时会发生收缩。这可能会对建筑物和基础设施造成超出修复状态的损坏。该项目将开发工具、模型和理论，以发现建立在有问题的活性土壤上的基础设施及其基础设计中的弱点，评估其影响，并实施有效的补救措施，以提高绩效。该项目预计将通过改进设计和减少破坏来提高效率，并每年为基础设施所有者、政府和私人节省数千万美元。

This project aims to develop the fundamental knowledge, a mechanical framework and practical engineering design tools needed to minimise the effects of reactive soils on infrastructure. Reactive soils undergo significant swelling and weakening upon wetting or intrusion by salt-rich groundwater and shrinkage upon drying. This can result in damage to buildings and infrastructure beyond a state of repair. This project will develop tools, models and theories to detect weaknesses in the design of infrastructure and its foundations built on problematic reactive soils, assess the impact and implement effective remedial measures to improve performance. The project is expected to increase efficiency through improved design and reduced damage, and save infrastructure owners, government and private, tens of millions of dollars each year.