Andres Espinosa
University of Maine
Degrees:
Bachelors in Civil Engineering, National University of Colombia (2020)
Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Maine (In Progress)
Preferred Career After Graduation:
Geotechnical Engineering
Broad Research Area:
Ground improvement
Specific Research Area:
Numerical modeling of chemical stabilization for ground improvement methods
Other Interests & Activities:
3D printing, running, and traveling
Top Accomplishment in 2023:
At Large Scholarship and 2023-2024 ADSC Scholarship recipient
Student Bio:
Andres Espinosa is a graduate research assistant at the University of Maine, hailing from Colombia. A Civil Engineer specializing in geotechnical engineering, he honed his skills for a year and a half as a junior civil engineer in a geotechnical consulting firm, contributing to projects related to geotechnical instrumentation, design, and analysis. Passionate about soil behavior and innovation in the geotechnical engineering industry. Andres Espinosa secured two scholarships during his master’s journey, (DFI At Large and ADSC scholarships) encouraging young professionals in the geotechnical industry. An avid basketball player and outdoor enthusiast, he finds joy in hiking. Andres Espinosa will earn his master’s degree in May 2024, having developed a numerical framework for simulating gas transport in porous media and calcium carbonate reactions for soil improvement.
Presentation
Poster
Files
Thesis Title and Summary
Title: Numerical Modeling of Soil Carbonation for Sustainable Soil Subgrade Stabilization
Abstract: A Finite Element Analysis was conducted to simulate soil carbonation, a ground improvement method wherein carbon dioxide reacts with lime to create a binder, enhancing soil strength and stiffness. The simulation of gas flow through the soil was based on the conservation of mass and the advective-diffusion law for gases. This comprehensive framework incorporates the reaction during soil carbonation, considering the amount of binder generated and the changes in the porous media resulting from this process. In parallel, laboratory tests are underway to track the pressure and advancement of carbon dioxide as functions of soil properties, aiding in the calibration of the numerical model.
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