Grant: Engage Grants Program
University of Regina
$25,000.00
Volume change evaluation of natural expansive soils
FY 2010-11
Summary
Regina is currently undergoing a period of infrastructure development including mega-projects such as the
Global Transportation Hub and the Downtown Covered Stadium with a 55000-seat capacity. Clifton
Associates Limited is involved in the design and construction of several engineered facilities. Based on past
experience, the company has recognized the significance of in situ soil conditions for geotechnical design
involving the expansive Regina clay. However, consulting projects usually do not include micro-mechanical
assessments and post-construction scenarios. Departing from routine engineering practice, a comprehensive
research investigation is required to develop a fundamental understanding of local soils. The main purpose of
this research work is to evaluate the volume change behavior of natural expansive soils by capturing the effects
of vertical fissuring and periodic saturation. A distinctive research methodology combining conventional and
innovative testing and analyses is developed. The main milestones and end-user deliverables of this
investigation include the following: (i) a design tool to determine volume changes of expansive Regina clay at
any initial degree of saturation; (ii) a numerical model to evaluate the saturation-desaturation phenomenon in
local soils; and (iii) a technical report summarizing the research findings. The applicant will also assist Clifton
Associates Limited to integrate the newly devised methods into routine geotechnical practice. The new design
approach (which captures the effects of vertical hairline discontinuities and seasonal climatic variations)
developed during this research will be beneficial in reducing environmental risks, construction and operation
costs, and social uncertainty associated with the management of civil infrastructure. With virtually global
applicability, the findings of this research will be of immense economic value to other parts of western Canada
founded on similar soils such as Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Victoria, and Kelowna.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Recipient
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
397862-2010
Name nom
Azam, Shahid
Department département
Engineering, Faculty of
Organization id
17
Institution établissement
University of Regina
Province en
Saskatchewan
Province fr
Saskatchewan
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program name en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1555
Committee name en
Prairie Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour les Prairies
Area of application code
1206
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Engineering
Area of application fr
Génie
Research subject code
1002
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Geotechnical engineering (including engineering geology)
Research subject fr
Géotechnique (y compris génie géologique)
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Volume change evaluation of natural expansive soils
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Regina is currently undergoing a period of infrastructure development including mega-projects such as the
Global Transportation Hub and the Downtown Covered Stadium with a 55000-seat capacity. Clifton
Associates Limited is involved in the design and construction of several engineered facilities. Based on past
experience, the company has recognized the significance of in situ soil conditions for geotechnical design
involving the expansive Regina clay. However, consulting projects usually do not include micro-mechanical
assessments and post-construction scenarios. Departing from routine engineering practice, a comprehensive
research investigation is required to develop a fundamental understanding of local soils. The main purpose of
this research work is to evaluate the volume change behavior of natural expansive soils by capturing the effects
of vertical fissuring and periodic saturation. A distinctive research methodology combining conventional and
innovative testing and analyses is developed. The main milestones and end-user deliverables of this
investigation include the following: (i) a design tool to determine volume changes of expansive Regina clay at
any initial degree of saturation; (ii) a numerical model to evaluate the saturation-desaturation phenomenon in
local soils; and (iii) a technical report summarizing the research findings. The applicant will also assist Clifton
Associates Limited to integrate the newly devised methods into routine geotechnical practice. The new design
approach (which captures the effects of vertical hairline discontinuities and seasonal climatic variations)
developed during this research will be beneficial in reducing environmental risks, construction and operation
costs, and social uncertainty associated with the management of civil infrastructure. With virtually global
applicability, the findings of this research will be of immense economic value to other parts of western Canada
founded on similar soils such as Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Victoria, and Kelowna.
