Title: CAREER: Towards near-real time site characterization: advanced computational methods and NEES-based validation experiments

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Description:

The aim of the project is multifold:

(a) to develop the capability for the site-specific rapid imaging of the skeletal properties of a soil mass by coupling in-situ non-invasive experimental and computational methods

(b) to develop the computational framework and experimental protocols that will allow near-real-time profiling of large sites, including in-situ adjustments in field arrays to optimize inversion procedures

(c) to validate the imaging results using experimental data.

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Publications:
J-W. Kang and L.F. Kallivokas, “Total wavefield-based inversion in PML-truncated domains,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 135, 1-8, 2008 (doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/135/1/012055)

S-W. Na and L.F. Kallivokas, “Direct time-domain soil profile reconstruction for one-dimensional semi-infinite domains,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 29, 1016-1026, 2009

S-W. Na and L.F. Kallivokas, “On the inverse problem of soil profile reconstruction – A comparison of time-domain approaches,” Computational Mechanics, 42 (6), 921-942, 2008
Title: Selective focusing of elastic wave energy in existing reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) (with C. Huh, The University of Texas at Austin)

Sponsor: AEA - KAUST

Description: This project is concerned with a largely untapped, and, theoretically, unexplored method for enhancing oil recovery: stimulating reservoir mobility by the selective focusing of elastic wave energy to an existing formation. To explore the feasibility and applicability of the method, we propose a two-fold approach: first, numerical studies, to lend credence to the generative macro-mechanisms that lead to increased mobility in existing reservoirs when illuminated by traveling waves; and secondly, we propose a systematic approach that will allow the prescription of the excitations necessary for the optimal illumination of the targeted reservoir. Our ultimate goal is to explore whether the focusing of elastic waves could be competitively used for EOR purposes, and under which conditions such an approach is physically meaningful.

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Publications:
C. Jeong, C. Huh, L.F. Kallivokas, “An inverse source identification problem in layered media,” EM08, The Inaugural International Conference of the Engineering Mechanics Institute, Minneapolis, MN, May 2008

C. Jeong, C. Huh, L.F. Kallivokas, “On the feasibility of reservoir vibrational energy delivery for enhanced oil recovery,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (in review), 2009
Title: NEESR-SG: High-fidelity site characterization by experimentation, field observation, and inversion-based modeling (with J. Bielak, Carnegie Mellon, K. H. Stokoe, O. Ghattas, The University of Texas at Austin, D. Assimaki, Georgia Tech, J. Steidl, UCSB, L. Velasquez, UTEP)

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Description: The main objective of this project is to develop the capability for estimating the geological structure and mechanical properties both of individual sites and of complete basins, and to demonstrate this capability on the nees@UCSB site at the Garner Valley Downhole Array (GVDA) and the entire Garner Valley.

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Publications:
S. Kucukcoban and L.F. Kallivokas, “Perfectly matched layers in axisymmetric elastic media for direct transient analysis,” EM08, The Inaugural International Conference of the Engineering Mechanics Institute, Minneapolis, MN, May 2008

J-W. Kang and L.F. Kallivokas, “Mixed unsplit-field perfectly-matched-layers for transient wave propagation in heterogeneous domains,” Computational Geosciences (under review), 2008
Title: Developing a testing device for total pavements acceptance

Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation

Description:
This project is concerned with the development of an integrated next-generation total pavements assessment device that combines the Based capabilities of the Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer, GPR, V-Crack, rut measurement, video, and accurate distance measurements.(with K. H. Stokoe, The University of Texas at Austin, et al).

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