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CIV_ENV 357: Terramechanics

Description

Problems defined by the interaction between machines and terrain—or by organisms and terrain—are ubiquitous on Earth, and they are beginning to play important roles elsewhere as we explore, exploit, and perhaps eventually occupy the moon and other planets.  While aspects of these problems are understood, much remains to be learned in the field of terramechanics.

 The aims of the course are as follows:

• describe and synthesize key concepts from past and present research in terramechanics
• assess future directions for research and development
• connect problems in terramechanics to those in geotechnical engineering and geomechanics
• explore links to other fields of engineering, mathematics, and physics
• stimulate broader interest in geotechnical engineering and related fields, particularly among undergraduate students

Activities include classroom discussions on selected topics and assigned reading, self-determined research projects, invited lectures from industry partners (depending on interest and availability), a prediction contest based on experiments performed in the Soil-Machine Interaction Laboratory (SMI Lab), and possible field excursions (again depending on interest and availability).