Characterizing The Mechanical Properties of JSC Mars-1A Martian Soil Simulants

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Qiushi Chen, Clemson University

Written Paper Award

2nd Place

Abstract

Conducted at a civil engineering lab at Clemson University, this research project complements a recent SC NASA Space Consortium funded project to study the feasibility of using simulated in situ Martian soils to create functional building blocks. The first objective of this project are to characterize the mechanical properties of JSC-1A Martian soil simulant, in particular, the grain size distribution and shear strength, through a series of soil mechanics experiments. Another focus of this research project was to compile, analyze and prepare experimental data for calibrating numerical models. Sieve analyses and hydrometer analyses were performed in order to observe the grain size distribution, which can be compared to terrestrial soil to provide a basis for comparison. Direct shear tests were run to test the shear strength and obtain the friction angle of the simulant, which provides more information regarding the actual constructibility of the soil. The results from these tests can be used to determine whether the Martian regolith can be used to construct building blocks on Mars. From these results, the data was analyzed to determine whether the Martian regolith could be used for construction on the Martian surface. Although this research only encompasses a small portion of the data, it allows for some clarifications of the properties of the soil as well as an indication as to whether habitation of Mars is plausible.

Start Date

3-25-2017 11:59 PM

Presentation Format

Written Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:59 PM

Characterizing The Mechanical Properties of JSC Mars-1A Martian Soil Simulants

Conducted at a civil engineering lab at Clemson University, this research project complements a recent SC NASA Space Consortium funded project to study the feasibility of using simulated in situ Martian soils to create functional building blocks. The first objective of this project are to characterize the mechanical properties of JSC-1A Martian soil simulant, in particular, the grain size distribution and shear strength, through a series of soil mechanics experiments. Another focus of this research project was to compile, analyze and prepare experimental data for calibrating numerical models. Sieve analyses and hydrometer analyses were performed in order to observe the grain size distribution, which can be compared to terrestrial soil to provide a basis for comparison. Direct shear tests were run to test the shear strength and obtain the friction angle of the simulant, which provides more information regarding the actual constructibility of the soil. The results from these tests can be used to determine whether the Martian regolith can be used to construct building blocks on Mars. From these results, the data was analyzed to determine whether the Martian regolith could be used for construction on the Martian surface. Although this research only encompasses a small portion of the data, it allows for some clarifications of the properties of the soil as well as an indication as to whether habitation of Mars is plausible.