Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2022-2023).

The sustainable (cost effective, environmentally friendly, and socially viable) management of civilx000D
infrastructure depends on a clear understanding of the engineering properties of the supporting soils. Thex000D
interaction of marginal earthen materials (expansive clays and collapsible silts) with changing meteorologicalx000D
conditions poses serious challenges to an uninterrupted use of buried utilities. TransGas Limited providesx000D
natural gas (14,000 km long pipeline) as well as system integrity assessment and service for the distributionx000D
network (69,000 km of mains and 390,000 individual services). The main issue associated with buried pipes isx000D
the variable geotechnical pipe failure rate that ranges from 40/year to 110/year. In support of the company'sx000D
management strategy, the main objective of this collaborative research is to understand and improve thex000D
geotechnical behavior of marginal soils. This is the first time that the company is participating in ax000D
comprehensive geotechnical evaluation of indigenous soils deposits. Based on a detailed research programx000D
(using laboratory investigation and numerical modeling), a scientific framework will be developed to workx000D
with expansive and collapsible sediments in Saskatchewan. Soil properties will be investigated usingx000D
fundamental concepts of saturated and unsaturated soil mechanics under natural and compacted conditions.x000D
The resulting innovative technology (characterization protocols and computational predictions) will be pivotalx000D
for the design, construction, operation, and rehabilitation of civil infrastructure systems. The expectedx000D
economic benefits of understanding and improving local marginal soils for TransGas Limited are minimizingx000D
the number of leak surveys and prioritizing vulnerable areas within the networks. Likewise, the environmentalx000D
and safety benefits due to reduced pipe ruptures and gas leaks will ensure public confidence in the natural gasx000D
distribution system. The research results will be critical for the company for ongoing and future pipelinex000D
network expansions. Finally, the expected capacity development in technical expertise, recruitment of highlyx000D
qualified professionals, and multi-disciplinary interactions are important benefits for the University of Regina