A study of lunar soil simulants from construction and building materials perspective

Abstract

Ten lunar soil simulants originated from North America and Europe were analysed in this paper. Properties important from civil engineering perspective (especially for future large-scale field experimental studies associated with lunar aggregate and lunar concrete-like composite) were of special interest. The tested properties included: bulk density in loose and vibrated state, density measured using the pycnometer method, particle size distribution, median particle size, coefficient of uniformity, coefficient of curvature, cohesion, inner friction angle and angle of repose. A microscopic analysis was also conducted. The properties of soil simulants were compared to average properties of lunar soil brought by Apollo and Luna missions. Finally the Principal Component Analysis was performed in order to select simulants most similar to the lunar soil.