Lunar Geotechnical Engineering

Researcher: Professor Mark Jaksa

Lunar Site Preparation and Ground Improvement

Research is currently underway to ascertain techniques and processes for optimal regolith site preparation and compaction on the Moon.  

The research aims to:

(1) Characterise the geotechnical properties of the lunar regolith at a number of key sites on the Moon

(2) Develop experimental equipment to simulate authentic geotechnical engineering lunar conditions

(3) Test and develop a range of ground improvement prototypes for deployment on the Moon that achieve optimal performance; and

(4) Validated by experimental testing, develop numerical models, likely based on the discrete element method, to simulate the behaviour of the ground improvement prototypes.
 

Benefits to life in space

As part of a multi-pronged, industry supported, research endeavour, we have developed novel, unique testing and analysis methods which will be adapted to lunar site preparation techniques. Our team is the largest and most successful group in the world examining rolling dynamic compaction (RDC) and aligned ground improvement techniques.  We have also achieved considerable success in applying machine learning to predicting ground improvement performance on-Earth, as well as a wide range of geotechnical engineering problems. 

Benefits to life on Earth

For more than a decade, our geotechnical team has developed state-of-the-art laboratory and field testing, novel instrumentation, and sophisticated numerical modelling of ground improvement processes with a focus on RDC for on-Earth applications.  When compared against conventional compaction methods, such as vibrating drum rollers, RDC is able to compact the ground to a much deeper extent (e.g. > 3 m cf. 0.5 m), more quickly (12 km/h cf. 4 km/h), and hence more efficiently.