Research Areas of MIT

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Geotechnical Engineering, Geomechanics and Geotechnology back to top

ProfessorHerbert H. Einstein

Rock Fracture Characterization and Fracture Mechanics

Rock mass behavior, such as slope and tunnel stability and flow through rock is strongly affected by

fractures (joints). Fractured rock flow and related mechanisms are particularly important in energy

production, for example in unconventionals and engineered geothermal systems. This is a focal area for

the MIT-CEE rock mechanics group. The major emphasis is to examine how fractures propagate and

coalesce through lab experiments using high-speed observation, scanning electron microscope

observations and nano-identations and acoustic emissions. The experimental information is then used to

develop analytical models. Past research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the U.S.

Department of Energy. Present research also involves experiments and modeling of hydraulic fracturing

in the context of the Multiscale Shale Gas Collaborative sponsored by TOTAL-MITEI (see also research on

shales, below). For more information, visit the Video page for a short video showing some of this work.


Tunnel and other Infrastructure Design and Construction

Tunneling is one of the most expensive and uncertain civil engineering endeavors. It is, therefore,

essential to quantify and explicitly consider all factors that contribute to uncertainty in cost, time and

resources. Several major computer-based tools (Decision Aids for Tunneling, Decision Aids for Tunnel

Exploration) have already been developed and put to use to address uncertainty. Ongoing research

extends this work to complex tunnel systems and other heavy infrastructures to develop a procedure that

will make it possible to use experience gained from past projects, together with observations of a

particular project, to update predictions about construction cost and time as the tunnel or other

infrastructure is constructed.


Behavior of Shales

Shales, in the widest sense, are the most common near-surface rocks. Within the last decade, they have

become of great interest in conjunction with gas and oil extraction. Shales are also of great interest in civil

engineering because of their often problematic properties (low strength high deformability tendency

to swell). Professor Einsteins research in this area has been going on for 40 years, first related to civil

engineering problems and then resulted recently in models representing anisotropic behavior. The

present research is related to tight shales inconjunction with oil and gas extraction. In the context of

the project Multiscale Shale Gas Collaborative, sponsored by TOTAL-MITEI, propagation and

coalescence of fractures in shales are being investigated. This involves both experiments and modeling,

which can be based on previous research with other types of rocks. Very sophisticated testing procedures

and advanced models are being developed and used.
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Decision Analysis for EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems)

EGS rely on circulating water through rock fractures to extract heat and then through heat exchangers to

eventually produce electricity in addition to directly useable heat. In this context, holes need to be drilled,

artificial fractures created and the water circulation maintained through the lifetime of the system. Manyuncertainties affect this system, and this research addresses the uncertainties related to the subsurface

components. Specifically, stochastic fracture pattern models and fracture flow models are combined to

produce probabilistic flow models. In parallel, cost-time models for wells (drill holes) are developed.

Finally, on the basis of the fracture flow and drill cost/time models, models will be created to predict the

optimal location of the wells. The research is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy under the ARRA

(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) Program.


Effect of Natural Hazards on Infrastructure Construction and Operation

Research on the physical aspects of landslides and associated hazard and risk analysis and decision

making processes has been conducted for many years. Recent extensions led to enhanced decision

making procedures involving, for instance, Bayesian networks and including the effect of conducting

exploration. The present work is a project in which the effect of natural hazards on the transportation

infrastructure construction and operation in Abu Dhabi is investigated. The processes and tools

developed in this context will be extended to other types of infrastructure and will form the basis for

similar approaches in other locations.

ProfessorJohn R. Williams

Pore Scale Simulation For Enhanced Oil Recovery

In an oil reservoir, 20-40% of the oil can be recovered by primary development techniques. The rest

remains trapped in the rock pores. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques, such as water flooding, gas

injection, chemical injection and thermal stimulation, optimistically recover an additional 10-20% of the

oil. This still leaves almost half of the oil trapped in the rock pores. The Department of Energy (DOE) has

estimated that if next generation EOR isapplied, the United States could generate an additional

240 billion barrels of recoverable oil resources - over 30 years supply at the present US consumption rate

of 20 million barrels per day. For comparison, the Middle East holds an estimated 685 billion barrels that

are recoverable and the tar sands of Alberta 300 billion recoverable barrels of heavy oil, with over a

trillion barrels potentially recoverable using enhanced methods. We are researching new EORtechnologies by providing understanding of the fundamental physical processes within a reservoir,

particularly at the pore scale. We are developing the computational algorithms for pore scale simulation of

oil reservoirs based on multi-scale, multi-physics models. The work leverages particle models based on a

partition of unity class of techniques, including SPH and DEM.
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ProfessorJohn R. Williams

Mutiscale, Multiphysics Simulation on Multicore Computers

A typical multiphysics simulation takes direct input from a microCT scan, at a resolution of some 8 billion

voxels of data. Each grain of rock has a different shape and may be cemented to other grains.

Furthermore, the surface properties of the grains influence the wetability of the rock/fluid system. Thegas, water and oil in the pores, and the rock matrix are then subject to driving forces, mainly mechanical

but also seismic, chemical and electrical. We have developed new algorithms to take advantage of shared

memory multicore computers. The challenge is to be fast but also to be thread safe. We have shown that

by tuning the task size to the hardware we can solve problems that were impossible even a few years ago.

ProfessorAndrew J. Whittle

Development of constitutive models for soils

Rate Effects in ClaysAlthough there are many observations of rate dependent properties of clays in laboratory element tests

there are no credible model formulations that consistently describe strain rate effects in shearing or creep

and relaxation in compression. The current research aims to develop and validate an elastic-viscoplastic

framework for clays that can extend prior elastoplastic models developed at MIT. The research makes

extensive use of unique experimental data on rate dependent undrained shear behavior and effects of

prior stress history. The goal is to develop a model that will resolve an enduring controversy (within the

geotechnical community) regarding the coupling of consolidation and creep (secondary compression),

and hence enable more reliable predictions of long-term ground movements for structures founded on

soft clay.

Multiscale Modeling of ClaysRecent advances in molecular modeling methods and nano-scale measurements of material properties

offer a new paradigm for understanding the multi-scale behavior of complex natural materials such as

clays. Recent studies at MIT have used molecular models to simulate the hydration of montmorillonite

and to predict elastic properties at different hydration states. We have also used molecular models to

investigate the interactions between clay platelets and hence, to develop the first meso-scale models of

clay aggregates. Future research will extend these analyses to include distributions of particle sizes and

different clay minerals. The long-term goal is to use the bottom-up approach to improve macroscopic

models of clay behavior.

Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Behavior of ClaysThe coupling of thermo-hydro-mechanical properties of clays is of great importance in problems relating

to the containment of radioactive waste and ground source heat exchangers (shallow geothermal

heating/cooling systems). Research on the latter was initiated through a three-way collaboration with

colleagues at Tsinghua and Cambridge Universities. The MIT research aims to simulate ground response

due to seasonal heating and cooling using the TTS model formulated by colleagues at Tsinghua
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University. The TTS model is based on a novel thermodynamic framework where coupling between

thermal and mechanical properties is due to the exchange between bound and free water within the clay.

There are only limited data available to evaluate the model and future research will need to conduct more

extensive validation.

Ground Movements for Expansive Soil Subgrades Many parts of the continental US are underlain by expansive clays that undergo significant changes in

volume (swelling or shrinkage) due to seasonal changes in moisture content. Existing methods for

estimating these effects are based on simplified empirical procedures that are grossly overconservative. A

new research project aims to develop more reliable methods of analysis by simulating strains of partially

saturated clay due to seasonal changes in matric suction. The research will calibrate properties for a

complex elastoplastic model (BExM developed at UPC, Barcelona) based on a program of laboratory tests

on an expansive clay and to install a field station to monitor pore pressures and ground deformations at a

test site in Texas.


Analyses of Soil-Structure Interactions

Seismic Retrofit of Pile-Deck Wharf StructuresMany port facilities in the North America are vulnerable to severe damage in major seismic events. The

most critical structures are pile-supported wharf decks that are often founded within loose/uncompacted

fills. Lateral spreading (and potential liquefaction) of the fill slopes during an earthquake can cause

bending failure of the piles and collapse of the wharf. The main goal of this research is to investigate the

effectiveness of retrofit methods for improving seismic performance while causing minimal disruption of

port operations. Research on this topic was originally supported by NSF through a NEESR-Grand

Challenge project (led by colleagues at Georgia Tech.). The MIT research used the framework of OpenSees

to simulate the underlying (free-field) ground response that is then coupled to the structure through

macro-element representations of pile-soil interactions. Studies to date have shown the effectiveness of

PV drains as a method of mitigating structural damage for a broad suite of ground motions. On-going

studies aim to improve the modeling of cyclic response of the soils to enable more realistic predictions of

seismically induced slope failures.

Conductor-Soil InteractionThe oil spill resulting from the blowout of the Macondo Well and sinking of the Deepwater Horizondrilling ship has raised many critical questions regarding the safety of offshore drilling operations. A

multi-disciplinary research team at MIT is currently investigating possible failure mechanisms associated

with drilling rig drift-off or drive-off. These processes generate large loads and potential failure of the

conductor below the blowout preventer. Geotechnical research is focused on realistic analyses of the

conductor-soil interactions to simulate the large lateral deformations of the embedded conductor within

the soft marine clay sediments and subsequent dynamic response for riser separation. The analyses use
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constitutive models developed previously at MIT and are to be validated through comparisons with results

of physical model tests (carried out in a large geotechnical centrifuge facility at C-Core in St Johns) for

conditions typically found at deepwater sites in the Gulf of Mexico. The ultimate goal is to develop

simplified methods for representing conductor-soil interactions in simulations of the entire conductor-

riser system.

Ground Movements due to Soft Ground TunnelingThe prediction and mitigation of damage caused by construction-induced ground movements represents a

major factor in the design of tunnels. This is especially important for shallow tunnels in congested urban

environments, where expensive remedial measures such as compensation grouting or structural

underpinning must be considered prior to construction. The goal of this research is to develop and

evaluate new methods for predicting ground response due to tunneling. Research supported by Ferrovial-

Agroman simulates Earth Pressure Balance (EBP) tunnel boring machines in clay. The analyses consider

the role of face pressure, grouting around the precast lining rings and complex (non-linear and inelastic)

properties of the surrounding soil. Site-specific predictions have been compared with recent field

measurements during construction of Crossrail tunnels in London and with results of simplified analytical

models. Research is now focused on interactions of the tunnels with overlying buildings.


Monitoring & Control of Underground Infrastructure

Real Time Measurement and Modeling of Excavation Support SystemsThe designs of Temporary Earth Retaining Systems (TERS) for deep excavations are heavily regulated to

minimize risks during construction. The construction is then closely monitored to ensure conformance

with expected behavior and the performance is deemed acceptable while measurements remain below

pre-set trigger levels. While this paradigm ensures that TERS are safe and cause minimal damage, there is

little motivation to reduce the spiraling costs associated with overly conservative designs. This research

aims to integrate recent advances in computational analyses (massive 3D FE models) and in the design of

low cost wireless sensors, in order to develop a capability for real-time data interpretation and

prediction. This methodology will use the field monitoring data to update and re-evaluate model

predictions during construction and hence, offer a real-time observational framework that can reduce risk

while enabling more creative and cost effective designs of TERS. The current research is funded through

the Center for Environmental Sensing and Modeling and is being conducted in collaboration with the

Land Transport Authority in Singapore. The current involves applications for a series of subway station

projects under construction for the new Thomson Line. Next generation wireless strain gauges are being

designed and tested in collaboration with colleagues at Coventry University.

Monitoring and Control in Water Distribution NetworksMany cities worldwide must deal with the maintenance of aging infrastructures such as water distribution

systems where there are significant losses due to leakage, increasingly frequent failures due to pipe bursts
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and growing concerns regarding water quality in the pipe network. Prior research (WaterWiSe@sg)

funded through the Center for Environmental Sensing and Modeling, and carried out in collaboration

with the Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB) has led to a proof-of-concept, end-to-end system for

continuous remote monitoring of the water distribution system in downtown Singapore (FCPH zone),

including a generic wireless sensing platform capable of measuring hydraulic (pressure and flow),acoustic (hydrophone) and water quality parameters (pH, ORP, conductivity, turbidity), a data collection

and visualization infrastructure, and a set of modeling and analysis tools. The testbed provides a unique

opportunity for advancing research capabilities. Current research includes the development of analytical

tools to 1) optimize the placement of sensors within the complex network, 2) improve the detection and

localization of hydraulic and water quality anomalies; and 3) automate tools that can enable sub-zones of

the system to be isolated (to reduce public health risks). Further studies aim to measure and characterize

the development of biofilms within the water pipes.

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Research Areas of MIT