An improved understanding of the role of EPS geofoam inclusion in reducing earth pressure on buried structures

本提案中概述的研究旨在提高我们对埋地结构（管道，涵洞和隧道）上方发泡聚苯乙烯（EPS）土工泡沫夹杂物的短期和长期影响的理解。麦吉尔大学的研究小组进行了一项初步研究，由NSERC Engage资助，以开发一种实验室设置，允许在静态和循环载荷下连续测量埋地圆柱形管道上的接触压力分布。该合作研究项目将涉及广泛的实验研究，以评估土工泡沫密度和层厚度对结构与周围地面之间界面处接触压力分布的作用。此外，还将研究所用土工泡沫材料在持续荷载作用下的蠕变行为。拟议的研究将是重要的发展更好地了解短期和长期的反应，使用诱导沟法建造的埋地结构。本研究项目将有助于培养两名硕士和一名本科生，他们将参与进行实验工作和分析收集的数据。

The research outlined in this proposal aims to improve our understanding of the short- and long-term effects of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam inclusion above buried structures (pipes, culverts and tunnels). A preliminary study was conducted by the research group at McGill, funded by an NSERC Engage grant, to develop a laboratory setup that allows for the contact pressure profile on buried cylindrical pipes to be continuously measured under both static and cyclic loading. This collaborative research project will involve extensive experimental investigation to evaluate the role of geofoam density and layer thickness on on the contact pressure distribution at the interface between the structure and the surrounding ground. In addition the creep behavior of the used geofoam material under sustained loading will be investigated. The proposed research will be important for developing a better understanding of the short- and long-term response of buried structures constructed using the induced trench method. This research project will contribute to the training of two Master and one undergraduate student who will be involved in conducting the experimental work and analyzing the collected data.