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Sample Research Memorandum #2

This document discusses research into developing sensor-enabled geogrids (SEGs) coated with a carbon black-filled polymer for monitoring tensile strains in earthen structures. The research aims to determine how percentage strain relates to electrical resistance under isolated tensile testing and how axial stresses impact geocomposite performance. Prior research on carbon black-filled polymers is reviewed. The methodology involves tensile and direct shear testing of PVC/CB polymer and PVC/CB coated geogrid samples. This research could lead to a more cost-effective, accurate method of monitoring embankment and foundation performance without excavation.

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111 views4 pages

Sample Research Memorandum #2

This document discusses research into developing sensor-enabled geogrids (SEGs) coated with a carbon black-filled polymer for monitoring tensile strains in earthen structures. The research aims to determine how percentage strain relates to electrical resistance under isolated tensile testing and how axial stresses impact geocomposite performance. Prior research on carbon black-filled polymers is reviewed. The methodology involves tensile and direct shear testing of PVC/CB polymer and PVC/CB coated geogrid samples. This research could lead to a more cost-effective, accurate method of monitoring embankment and foundation performance without excavation.

Uploaded by

Alex
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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To: Alex Parry

From: Mary Smith, Kyle Smith, William Smith


Re: Tensoresistive Polymer Composites for Performance Monitoring of
Earthen Structures
Date: April 5, 2016
1. Summary
Both academia and industry employ the use of geosynthetic and
geosynthetic technology for slope stability and performance
monitoring of earthen structures. Geogrids are geosynthetic materials
placed between soil layers to maintain and increase soil stability. A new
generation of geosynthetic material is being developed with the
capability to self-measure tensile strains below ground surface. These
sensor-enabled geogrids will be coated with a carbon black-infused
polymer filled with electrically conducting particles, allowing the tensile
strain of the geogrid to be measured in-situ. In this study, sensorenabled geogrid (SEG) materials will be coated with a carbon blackfilled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer and the tensoresitive properties
will be measured in order to predict field-level tensile strains of
reinforced soil-based structures.
In this study, purpose of analysis will be twofold: (1) determine the
dependence of percentage strain on relative resistance in isolated
tensoresistivity testing, and (2) investigate the influence of axial
stresses on the performance of geocomposites.
2. Background
2.1. Importance of Health-Monitoring of Structures
It is imperative in geotechnical engineering to understand the
subsurface force structure and stratigraphy. This analysis will lead to
correct bearing capacity for embankment or foundation construction,
or will lead to the choice of a reinforcing structure, such as a
geotextile. This will help prevent catastrophic failures such as
landslides, slope failures, or dam and levee breaches (Basham, 2015).
Traditionally, strain gauges and extensometers have been used to
assess the stability of earthen structures. However, strain gauges and
extensometers require complex and expensive data acquisition
systems, are not accurate due to calibration factors measured in
isolation, and protective assemblies inherent in the apparatus result in
unknown local stiffening and interlocking effects with adjacent soil or
aggregates, influencing the measurements (Hatami, 2009).

2.2. Carbon Black-Filled Polymers for Geosynthetics


Many different mixtures of carbon black-filled polymers have been
used for strain monitoring of PVC composites subjected to tensile cyclic
loading (Yazdani, 2015). Influence factors such as magnitude of strain,
loading rate, and pre-straining on tensoresistivity performance of
coating composite have been analyzed in order to quantify composite
performance under cyclic loading. Carbon Black 1 (CB1) has been used
in the past as a higher-structure with less deformation under loading
(Basham, 2015).
The use of Carbon Black 1 (CB1) was abandoned in favor of Carbon Black 2 (CB2) due
to chemical composition and bonding behavior in polymer formulation, particularly to
avoid branching of polymer chains. It was necessary to execute testing in a fine material
in the absence of electrolytes (Basham, 2016).
3. Project Description
3.1. Benefits to Field
Geotechnical and transportation engineers will be able to use this
research to develop and mass-produce SEGs without the need of
excavation. This material will also allow for a more cost-effective and
accurate method of performance monitoring of earthen structures.
3.2. Methodology
An evaluation of the influence of vertical and axial stresses on the resistivity of
polyvinylchloride/carbon black (PVC/CB) coated sensor enabled geogrid (SEG)
structures was conducted based on analysis of stresses as a function of deformation.
Integrity of SEG samples will be determined through tensoresitivity testing and a twofold in-soil testing process: (1) PVC/CB polymer samples subjected to direct shear and
(2) PVC/CB coated polyester reinforced samples subjected to combined tensoresistivity
and direct shear testing. Samples will be prepared using a sonication probe as well as
manual mixing to ensure optimal adherence of particles within the polymer.
For in-soil shear testing, a fine, nonconductive material such as sawdust with fines less
than 0.42 mm (passing the #40 sieve) will be used for in-soil shear testing in order to
apply desired stresses as a simulation of geogrid performance on the laboratory scale.
During in-soil testing, electrical resistivity will be simultaneously measured using (DC)
high-resistance meter at voltage of 10mA. Experimentation was repeated until samples
produced an in-air stress-strain response for strains greater than 10%. Finally, a
predicable linear model with unique slope given as a function of applied normal stress
will be determined from least-squares optimization of empirical laboratory data.

3.3. Difference from Prior Research


The use of CB2-filled SEGs will allow for a more accurate strain reading
in-field. Since CB2 filling results in less molecular branching in the
polymer, the coating of the geosynthetic grid will better transfer
electric conductivity, allowing for more accuracy in tensoresistivity
readings.
References
Basham, M., Hatami, K., Pfeiffer, T., McMullen, N., Sarfatis, C. (2015).
Multiscale 3D Dispersion Characterization of Carbon Nanotube-filled
Polymer Composites Using Microscopic Imaging and Data Mining.
Carbon Nanotechnology. Vol. 32, Issue 5 (2015). pp. 1253-1260.
DOI:10.1007/s10706014-9796-x.
Basham, M., (2016). Tensoresisitive Polymer Composites for
Performance Monitoring of Earthen Structures. Poster session
presented at GeoEnvironmental Conference, Chicago, IL.
Fathi A, Hatami K, Grady BP. Effect of Carbon Black Structure on LowStrain Conductivity of Polypropylene and Low-Density Polyethylene
Composites. Polym Eng Sci 2012;52(3):54956.
Hatami K, Grady BP, Ulmer MC. Sensor-enabled geosynthetics: use of
conducting carbon networks as geosynthetic sensors. J Geotechn
Geoenviron Eng 2009;135(7):86374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/
(ASCE)GT.1943- 5606.0000062.
Yazdani, H., "Tensoresistive PVC Coating for Sensor-Enabled Geogrids",
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2015.

Interview with Dr. K. Hatami


Q: What is your area of expertise?
A: I am a geotechnical engineer, and so I study slope stability and
earthwork performance. I also delve into materials science, particularly
concerning polymer composites.
Q: What are unsolved problems in the your area of expertise?
A: I am currently working with the NSF, ODOT, and the University of
Oklahoma to develop sensor-enabled geogrids for performance
monitoring.
Q: What is the next step you will pursue with your research?
A: I already have a patent on this research and development, and the
research now is to get the polymer composites ready for mass
production by industry.
Q: What room for research and development exists with this project?
A: It is quite extensive. Industry is very concerned with obtaining an
inexpensive, less obtrusive method for strain monitoring of
embankments and other earthen structures.
Q: What work has already been completed on this topic?
A: There was your project, I had a PhD student working on the
materials science portion of polymerization, and Dr. Grady in the
chemical engineering department has been working on this with me for
the last 10 years.
Q: Are there any grant or funding opportunities for this type of
research?
A: The NSF [National Science Foundation] funds a lot of this project.
ODOT [Oklahoma Department of Transportation] also has shown
interest, and industry which I cannot name at this point in time has
provided extensive funding to SEGs.

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