Achievement

IGERT SmartConstruction trainees and faculty working on experimentation and modeling of soil/machine compaction interaction completed both finite element analysis and real time strain-based soil compaction monitoring of a pad foot compactor. Finite element modeling was used to investigate strain behavior under various loading conditions and helped determine best locations for pad instrumentation. Laboratory experimentation involved controlled pad loading monitored by strain gages mounted on the inside of the pad and a vertical load cell. Field Testing of an instrumented pad foot compactor included testing of different soils and moisture contents. Results were presented in poster format at ASCE's GeoTrends 2010 conference and the Transportation Research Boards Annual Meeting. Results were also published in the proceedings of the Smart Structures/Nondestructive Evaluation Conference.