SGER: Soil Solidification by Magnetorheological Fluids

Regents Of The University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

The potential usage of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) for temporary in-situ solidification of coarse-grained soils is being investigated. Should magnetorheological materials be successfully introduced into the pore space of a soil and solidified by application of a magnetic field, they could significantly improve our ability to sample saturated or dry cohesionless soils with minimum disturbance. The cost savings over pore fluid freezing could be very significant. Other potential future applications of MRFs in geotechnical engineering may include: stabilization of soil for excavation and tunneling, control of seepage and contaminant migration, liquefaction hazard reduction, control of machine vibrations, soil surcharging to accelerate pre-construction settlement and others. The present exploratory laboratory program will include tests for hydraulic conductivity, stiffness, strength, volume change susceptibility due to vibration, and stability of open cuts in MRF-stabilized soils.