The proposed research project is in the earth sciences and its objective is to develop knowledge that will lead to improved analysis of geological materials and realistic constitutive models for systems that will be used in river valley projects. Realistic constitutive models will allow incorporation of many factors such as nonlinear material behavior, insitu stresses, and discontinuities very often ignored or highly simplified in the past. Together with modern computational methods the resulting procedures will permit solutions of highly complex problems which are difficult to solve using conventional methods. A unique aspect of the research is the integration of basic mathematical modelling for realistic characterization of the behavior of materials, implementation of models in non- linear computational procedures, and verification of field behavior of typical structures. The collaboration is between Drs. C.S. Desai, University of Arizona and A. Varadarajan, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. Scope: Results of the research will benefit applications of advanced constitutive models and computer procedures for the development of rational structures for river valley projects both in India and the U.S. This type of research is particularly relevant in the U.S. as significant research work is in progress in constitutive modelling of geologic materials and discontinuities, development of new laboratory devices, implementation of constitutive models in computer methods and verification through laboratory/field studies. A formal collaboration will be of mutual benefit.
