Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The requested versatile mechanical tester supports an essential infrastructure and training facility for a minimum of six researchers and their HQP in the new School of Engineering (established in 2020) in Northern British Columbia. The tester will allow for quantifying the performance of engineering materials in a wide range of geotechnical, timber, hydraulic, structural, and pipeline engineering problems encountered in the northern climate and in natural resource development. The mechanical tester is equipped with indentation and scratch functions, acoustic emission and three-dimensional imaging sensors, and multiple environmental chambers, which provides a unique versatility to meet the requirements of the applicants and users. The specific engineering pursuits are: (1) Geo-energy extraction: This research focuses on characterizing the creep deformation of rock, which is essential for evaluating the long-term hydraulic fracture conductivity in shale gas and deep geothermal energy extraction, particularly in Northern BC. The improved quantification of rock creep behaviours will allow for a better choice of stimulation parameters in hydraulic fracturing. (2) Engineered timber: This research expands THz technology to new applications in the non-destructive evaluation of engineered timbers, including concealed interface inspection and non-contact strength measurements. The requested tool provides independent validation of the efficacy of new THz applications in the wood products industry, thus improving their technology readiness levels for industrial use. (3) Cold region hydraulics: This research advances the knowledge on riverbed scour around hydraulic structures in northern climates. The requested tool allows accurate quantification of the ice cover's conditions and its influence on local scour processes near bridge piers. The research outputs will improve guidelines for bridge design by considering the impact of ice cover. (4) Infrastructure in harsh environments: These studies aim to improve the performance of engineering materials, including concrete, steel, wood, and pipes used for infrastructure in harsh environments. The requested tool will be used to quantify the deformation, strength, and friction of engineering materials in various loading (e.g. cyclic, dynamic, creep) and low/high-temperature conditions, which contributes to the resilience of infrastructure. The use of the requested mechanical tester will substantially improve our ability to evaluate the performance of various materials in a wide range of engineering disciplines, which will improve the efficiency and safety of engineering activities in the northern communities that support sustainable resource development. Both undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be trained on the equipment, providing them with valuable skills in material testing and data analysis that is directly related to the protection of public health and the environment.