Geotechnics, Materials and Transportation Engineering - Universite des Mascareignes
Geotechnics, Materials and Transportation Engineering
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Research

RESEARCH FIELD: Geotechnics, Materials and Transportation Engineering

UdM Researchers working on this field:

Funded projects

Project 1

Title:

Fly Ash for Partial Replacement of cement in Concrete and Basaltic Filler for Partial Replacement of cement in Concrete.

Duration (start/end):

2014 - 2017

Principal Investigator:

Mahen Conhyea – Gamma Materials

Collaborating partner:

Dr Rajeshwar Goodary – Université des Mascareignes.

Awarding body or sponsor:

Mauritius Research and Innovation Council.

Description of projects:

Basaltic Filler is produced from blue basalt which is locally available.
Both Fly ash and Basaltic filler are a serious threat to our environment. Despite pressure from Government and NGO’s to comply with environmental regulations the construction industry and IPP’s have found no better solution in replacement to the above.

Partial replacement of cement by fly ash and basaltic filler in concrete has therefore a national interest. It will not only help mitigate the environment problem by reducing the carbon footprint but also by reducing the importation of cement by 10%.
Both projects benefitted funding from the MRC under the CRIGS scheme.
Implementation of the outcomes of these two projects will reduce emission of carbon by 40 KTons and save 2.6 m$ in the importation of cement every year.

Project 2

Title:

Characterisation of Locally Available Residual Soils of Volcanic Origin and their Possible Stabilisation (in collaboration with IRCER Research Laboratory, University of Limoges).

Duration (start/end):

2012 - 2017

Principal Investigator:

Dr Goodary Rajeshwar – Université des Mascareignes.

Collaborating partner:

Associate Professor Dr. Gisele Lecomte – Université de Limoges.

Awarding body or sponsor:

Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (Océan Indien) under the ‘Perfectionnement à La Recherche’ scheme.

Description of projects:

The aim of this research was to establish an appropriate mix comprising an appropriate stabilizer and Dark Magnesium Clay (DMC), well known for its expansive nature that would yield a composite soil mixture with acceptable swelling and mechanical properties.
Outcomes of the investigation, in collaboration with IRCER Research Laboratory, University of Limoges, have been published in journal and conferences.

Research is ongoing to look into possibilities of stabilizing DMC with locally available non-swelling soils (soil mixing).

Any further inquiries?

Please contact on the following email: ecoledoctorale@udm.ac.mu