The research objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) proposes to incorporate surface analysis to civil engineering applications through the use of advanced research equipment and analysis methods. Fundamental research is required to develop measurement, analyses, and implementation tools for surface characterization in civil engineering, where the significant effects of surface texture on system response has been recognized, yet research has been limited. The instrumentation (optical interferometer) will be used to conduct fundamental surface analyses using multiple scales and approaches, representing the first time that surface texture will be determined or correlated to engineering performance for the majority of the test materials. Guidelines will be developed for surface analysis. Recommendations will be provided for production of processed natural materials and manufacture of synthetic materials for desired surface characteristics. Advancements will be enabled in modeling of civil engineering systems with unique surface knowledge that will be obtained.
If successful, the research will improve fundamental understanding of mechanics and micromechanics associated with engineering applications through quantifying surface characteristics with significant new knowledge generated. Significant advancements will be possible in the analysis of interface behavior, fiber inclusions, and pre-, in-, and post-service analyses and forensics for a wide variety of materials through integrated experimental and numerical analyses. The proposed instrumentation will add extensive research capabilities; provide opportunities for advancing ongoing research and enabling new research; add unique capabilities to the research infrastructure to attract external funding; and foster inter- and intra-department collaborations. The proposed activities will provide research training opportunities for a diverse group of faculty and students; attract underrepresented groups (female, first-generation college, and Hispanic students, who constitute a significant percentage of the Cal Poly student body) to engineering; and integration of state-of-the-art research into learning modules for use at Cal Poly (with some of the U.S.?s largest undergraduate engineering departments), other U.S. universities, and internationally.
The acquisition of the optical interferometer provided extensive research capabilities at Cal Poly that had not been previously available on campus or regionally and also provided opportunities for advancing ongoing research as well as developing new research investigations and directions. Surface texture characteristics of the large majority of the civil engineering materials investigated have been quantified for the first time using the interferometer. Similarly, surface characteristics of materials, studied by investigators from other disciplines such as food science and packaging, have been quantified for the first time. The Intellectual Merit of the proposed activities includes improving fundamental understanding of mechanics and micromechanics associated with applications in civil engineering and other technical fields through quantifying surface texture of materials. The system provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations and new linkages between surface microtopography and engineering performance of materials. The combined experimental and numerical analyses lead to significant advances in interface analysis, and pre-, in-, and post-service analysis of materials with significant new knowledge generated. Optimizing material performance became possible by identifying, quantifying, and understanding surface texture characteristics of materials, components, and systems, which can lead to better and more sustainable design and construction. The Broader Impacts of the proposed activities include research training opportunities for users of the equipment; attracting underrepresented groups (specifically, females, first-generation college students, and Hispanic students, who constitute a significant percentage of the student body at Cal Poly) to engineering; and integration of state-of-the-art research into learning modules for use throughout the curriculum at Cal Poly (which has some of the U.S.’s largest undergraduate engineering departments), other U.S. universities, and internationally. Access was provided to large groups of university community including: undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and faculty members during the project period as well as to undergraduate students from other higher education institutions from around the U.S. through an ongoing NSF REU Site project at Cal Poly. Performance and overall lifetime of civil engineering infrastructure affect all members of society. The ASCE Report Card published annually indicates that significant improvements are required to the aging infrastructure in the U.S. Improved knowledge of the behavior of civil engineering materials and improvements to civil engineering systems through the use of the proposed equipment and research projects enabled benefits society in general. The Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts of the project continue beyond the duration of the project as the use of the equipment and measurement system acquired through this project continue to be in effect. Further research findings that benefit the society and promote sustainability will result from the future use of the system.
