This system estimates thermo-mechanically induced consolidation of soils by computing soil consolidation under various thermo-mechanical stress loadings and measuring pore-water pressure and suction in soil specimens. The system comprises a base plate with tensiometer slots, a bottom porous disc with drainage grooves, a specimen ring with pressure ports, a top porous disc, and an outer casing. A loading piston connected to a Universal Testing Machine applies load, while suction tensiometers measure suction variation. A Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) measures soil specimen displacement. The system provides a comprehensive tool for studying the thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of soils, essential for safe and efficient engineering designs.
Figure (1) Photograph of the experimental setup for thermo-mechanical consolidation of soils, showing the assembled configuration with suction tensiometers, heating elements, and displacement sensors integrated for comprehensive soil behavior analysis; (2) The cross-section of the setup depicting the tensiometers and heating units.
Understanding the behavior of soils under elevated temperatures is crucial for various contemporary applications, including geothermal energy utilization, deep disposal of nuclear waste, satellite launching pads, thermal piles, and underground utilities such as electrical cables and pipelines. When soils are exposed to high temperatures, the expansion of soil constituents and the build-up of pore-water pressure and suction occur, altering the soil's engineering properties. Despite numerous constitutive models and numerical solutions proposed over the past two decades, validating these models with empirical data from sophisticated instrumentation remains essential. Accurate quantification of thermomechanical effects on soils is vital for reliable engineering predictions and designs in thermal and mechanical soil-related applications.
- Comprehensive Measurement Capabilities: The integration of both pore-water pressure and suction measurements allows for a thorough understanding of soil behaviour under thermo-mechanical stress conditions.
- Versatility in Stress Simulation: The system can simulate a wide range of thermo-mechanical stress loadings on soil specimens, making it adaptable for various experimental requirements.
- Precise Displacement Measurement: A Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) is used to accurately measure the deformation of soil specimens, ensuring precise tracking of displacement.
- Multi-Point Pore-Pressure Profiling: Detailed analysis of pressure variation along the soil specimen is enabled through multiple pore-pressure measurement points.
- Enclosed System Design: The setup maintains a controlled testing environment, leading to more accurate, reliable, and consistent experimental results.
A fully functional laboratory-scale prototype of the system, termed Thermo-Mechanical Consolidation System (TMCS), has been developed to study the coupled behavior of soils under thermal and mechanical loads. The setup comprises a precision-machined assembly including a base plate, porous discs, a specimen ring, and an outer heating jacket with integrated electric heaters and temperature sensors. A loading piston connected to a Universal Testing Machine applies controlled vertical stress, while a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) captures real-time settlement of the soil specimen. The system also integrates suction tensiometers and pore-pressure transducers to monitor internal soil responses, enabling simultaneous measurement of suction and pore-water pressure variations. All data is recorded via a digital logging unit. The prototype has been successfully tested using standard and natural soil samples, validating its ability to simulate and quantify thermo-mechanically induced consolidation in geotechnical applications.
Prototype has been built and tested at Environmental Geotechnology Lab, IIT Bombay.
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Would enable studying the effects of climate change on soils; would greatly reduce the cost of expensive geotechnical testing equipment from foreign manufacturers having much less capabilities/features.
- Geothermal energy systems.
- Deep nuclear waste disposal.
- Design of satellite launch pads.
- Thermal piles and foundations.
- Underground utilities (electrical cables, pipelines).
- Soil behavior research under thermal and mechanical stress.
Geography of IP
Type of IP
201921054314
464601