Graduate Student Research Opportunities

MSc Project
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon

(This webpage was posted/updated May 1, 2002)

A research project is available for studying the properties of foam cement under varied loading conditions. Foam cement has been shown to maintain its strength after undergoing high rates of strain. The application of foam cement is being considered as a pillar material for potash mines where yielding support is required. Research funding is available for an MSc student in the department of Civil & Geological Engineering. The project is ideally suited to engineering graduates from Geological and Mining Engineering. The project would focus on the mining application of this material and the research would include sample preparation, lab testing, modelling and field trials at a local potash mine. Funding can be guaranteed at $12,000 per year for two years. It may be possible to augment this grant through contract lab testing, additional industry funding and TA positions.

If you want more information on this project, contact Doug Milne by e-mail (milned@engr.usask.ca) or at (306)-966-5714. The Geological Engineering Website is: http://www.engr.usask.ca/dept/geoe/

The Civil & Geological Engineering Department has a well equipped Rock Mechanics Lab with a technician, with over 25 years experienced, devoted to running the lab. Lab equipment includes standard static testing equipment as well as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and acoustic emission measuring equipment. Field rock mechanics equipment includes a borehole camera and an acoustic velocity borehole logging tool. Computer resources are also available in the rock mechanics lab as well as through the Engineering College.