Project Description

In this project, we plan to investigate the coupled evolution of fabric and particle crushing in particulate materials subjected to probe penetration (e.g., cone penetration tests). An instrumented probe/cone measuring penetration and sleeve resistances is advanced at controlled rates in sand samples of varying relative densities, prepared in a large calibration chamber. The probe will also be equipped with a vision sensor to capture changes in particle shapes and fabric during the experiments.
High-resolution imaging, combined with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and individual particle tracking, will be used to quantify displacement fields, strain localization, and force-chain surrogates. Purpose-designed stress sensors will provide stress tensors. After testing, microscopy and X-ray CT will be used to assess particle crushing and gradation changes.
We plan to define fabric descriptors (e.g., void ratio, orientation tensors), kinematic metrics (e.g., shear band thickness, dilatancy), and a particle crushing index to relate soil structure to penetration resistances in different sands. The results will provide mechanistic insights linking probe response to the evolution of the microstructure of crushable, particulate materials, advancing the fundamental understanding and interpretation of penetration tests in these materials. 

Start Date

January 2026

Postdoc Qualifications

The postdoc should have experience with particulate materials, penetration experiments, advanced instrumentation, digital image correlation, image processing, vision probes, and Xray CT.

Co-advisors

Monica Prezzi - [email protected]
Vikas Tomar - [email protected]

Bibliography