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Jitendra Sharma
B.Eng.[Mumbai], M.Tech. [IIT-Kanpur], Ph.D.[Cantab]
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My research interests are in the area of classical Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. I am particularly interested in fundamental soil behaviour assessed using Critical State Soil Mechanics framework, Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling, Numerical Modelling of Soil-structure Interaction, Ground Improvement using Geosynthetics and Soft Ground Tunnelling. |
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On-going Research Projects
Engineering Geology of Glaciated Clays
Glaciated soils underlie much of North America's populated areas. The glacial processes to which these soils have been subjected in the past influence their fundamental engineering properties such as shear strength, compressibility and hydraulic conductivity. The mechanism by which the fundamental soil properties are influenced by glacial processes is not well understood. A new model based on both shearing and compressive normal stresses imposed by the ice during glacial advance and retreat uses the theories of critical state soil mechanics to study the processes such as deposition, erosion, glacial shear and compression. The goal of this project is to validate the proposed model using data obtained from an extensive program of field and laboratory testing of Canadian glaciated soils. One of the key requirements for the proposed new model is the existence of anisotropy of geomechanical properties in glaciated soils. Recent work on this topic has found some evidence of the existence of anisotropy of geomechanical properties in glaciated soils of Europe. If anisotropy is found to be universal, it will represent a fundamental paradigm shift in geotechnical design practice. Therefore, one of the key challenges of this project is to look for the existence of geomechanical anisotropy in Canadian glaciated soils. The findings of the project will advance the state-of-the-art of geotechnical design of structures constructed over or within these glaciated soils. The project is being run in collaboration with researchers from Technical University, Delft [TUD] in the Netherlands and is funded by NSERC Discovery Grant program, NSERC IPS Scholarship Program, Golder Associates Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Transportation. Back to Top
Time-dependent Deformation of Clays subjected to Embankment Loading
Certain fine-grained soils such as highly plastic clays and organic soils, exhibit time-dependent plastic (or viscoplastic) behaviour. Such soils exhibit creep or secondary compression at constant effective stress, that is, these soils continue to settle with time long after all the excess pore-water pressures due to loading have dissipated. The main objective of this project is the development of an improved elastic viscoplastic (EVP) model to describe the behaviour of such soils mathematically and to validate the model using laboratory element tests and instrumented case histories. The project also aims to answer the question: When is it absolutely necessary to incorporate time-dependent behaviour in the design of structures founded on fine-grained soils? The project is a part of the Canada Northern Ireland Transportation Systems Technology Initiative (CNITSTI), a collaborative venture between Queen's University in Belfast, UK, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba and University of British Colombia. Back to Top
Factors affecting Failure Mechanism of a Retrogressive Landslide on a Riverbank
Slope instabilities are becoming increasingly frequent on the banks of the rivers in Western Canada because of increased rates of infiltration caused by snowmelt and wetter-than-usual summers. Such slope instabilities usually express themselves in the form of multiple-block retrogressive landslides because of the stratigraphy of the glaciated soils in Western Canada. It is generally believed that the movement and subsequent failure of these blocks is caused by the movement of the toe block. Real- time monitoring of one such retrogressive landslide near Prince Albert SK has revealed that the progressive failure initiates at the crest block and not at the toe block. This project, which aims to establish the factors that result in such a failure mechanism, involves modelling of the monitoring data using coupled seepage and stress-deformation finite element analyses. This project is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Transportation. Back to Top
Effect of Strong Acid on Geotechnical Properties of Fine-grained Soils
This project aims to study the effect of strong sulphuric acid (pH less than 0) on the geotechnical properties, such as hydraulic conductivity, compressibility and shear strength, of fine-grained soils. The sulphuric acid is being generated by the stockpiled sulphur, which is obtained as a byproduct of sweet crude production from oil sands. Blocks of sulphur are generally placed directly over fine-grained soils that act as natural aquitards (or barriers). There are concerns that a significant change in the geotechnical properties of these fine-grained soils may render them ineffective in containing the contamination. A systematic investigation of the acid-soil interaction is being conducted using a series of laboratory tests under controlled conditions. The project is being run in collaboration with Professor Jim Hendry, Department of Geological Sciences, U of S and is sponsored by Syncrude Canada Ltd. Back to Top
Plastic Limit of Fine-grained Soils by Indirect Extrusion Method
Plastic limit is an important index property of fine-grained soils. Along with liquid limit, it defines the range of water contents over which a soil remains plastic. It also gives an indication of the mechanical behaviour of a soil in terms of its compressibility and its suitability for use as a fill material. Currently, hand-rolling method is the only accepted method of plastic limit determination. This method, however, is not suitable for contaminated soils. This project aims to develop a novel method of plastic limit determination using the principle of indirect extrusion. It is well-known that the steady-state pressure required for indirect extrusion of an ideal plastic material is a function of its yield strength. Given that most fine-grained soils can be considered as ideal plastic, this correlation between the extrusion pressure and yield strength can be used to determine plastic limit. The project is partly supported by NSERC Discovery Grant program. I am looking for an industry sponsor for this project. Back to Top
Shear Strength and Deformation Behaviour of Municipal Solid Waste
Municipal landfills are being constructed now-a-days to unprecedented heights. It is, therefore, vital to obtain meaningful estimates of the shear strength and the elastic properties of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is the main component of a municipal landfill. This project involves a systematic study of the mechanical behaviour of MSW using intact samples taken from landfills as well as using recompacted samples prepared under controlled conditions. The main objective is to develop a model for mechanical behaviour of MSW by incorporating factors such as biodegradation of MSW as well as incorporating stress-level dependent parameters. A one-dimensional compression cell that doubles up as a bioreactor has been developed and is being used in combination with a respirometer to study the correlation between the compressibility and biodegradation of MSW. The project is being run in collaboration with my colleague Dr. Ian Fleming and is sponsored by the NSERC Discovery Grant program and the City of Saskatoon. Back to Top
Flow characteristics of Pharmaceutical Powders using Direct Shear Testing
The grains of pharmaceutical powders come in all kinds of shape and sizes. As such, different pharmaceutical powders exhibit differet degrees of interlocking and flowability. The design of systems such as feeders and hoppers that are used for the handling of these powders should take these factors into account. This project aims to use the technique of direct shear testing, which is frequently used to study shear strength characteristics of granular soils, to establish shear strength and flow characteristics of a wide range of pharmaceutical powders. The project is being run in collaboration with Professor Todd Pugsley of Department of Chemical Engineering, U of S and is sponsored by the NSERC CRD program and the local pharmaceutical industry. Back to Top
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