Advancing Sustainable Grout Mix Design for Groundwater Hydraulic Barriers in Open Ground Mines

This PhD research project aims to contribute to sustainable mining practices by developing innovative grout mix designs for groundwater hydraulic barriers in open ground mines. As a PhD candidate, you will have the opportunity to explore the optimization of grout materials and techniques to enhance the performance, longevity, and environmental sustainability of hydraulic barriers.

Key Research Areas:

• Grout Material Selection: Investigate alternative grout materials that minimize environmental impact while maintaining the required strength, durability, and impermeability characteristics for effective hydraulic barriers. Evaluate the performance of different materials, such as low-carbon cementitious binders, natural pozzolans, and recycled aggregates.
• Mix Design Optimization: Develop optimized grout mix designs by investigating the influence of various factors, including water-to-binder ratio, aggregate grading, chemical admixtures, and curing conditions. Employ advanced experimental and computational techniques to achieve the desired properties of strength, workability, flowability, and long-term stability.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Conduct comprehensive environmental impact assessments to evaluate the sustainability of grout mix designs. Assess the carbon footprint, energy consumption, and other environmental indicators associated with grout production, transportation, application, and disposal. Explore opportunities for waste reduction, recycling, and carbon capture and storage.
• Field Performance Evaluation: Collaborate with mining industry partners to validate the performance of sustainable grout mix designs in real-world open ground mining operations. Monitor the long-term effectiveness of hydraulic barriers, assess their resistance to erosion, and evaluate the impact on groundwater quality and overall site sustainability.

How to Apply

To express your interest in this project, please contact Dr Ali Kashani at ali.kashani@unsw.edu.au and include a copy of your CV and academic transcripts.