A PhD position is now open at University of Orleans on the optimization of innovative solutions for adapting houses exposed to Clay Shrinkage-Swelling phenomenon using numerical modeling.
Since 2015, intense droughts over longer periods has been observed in France. These climatic phenomena have a very considerable impact on the physical and mechanical characteristics of clayed soils. These exceptional events are the main factor triggering the shrinkage-swelling phenomenon of this type of soil and consequently cause damage to buildings.
The thesis topic is part of the SAFE RGA project (Innovative Solutions for Adapting Buildings Exposed to drought Facing the Expansion of the Clay Shrinkage-Swelling Phenomenon) funded by ADEME. This project aims at developping new innovative solutions for adapting houses exposed to Clay Shrinkage-Swelling Phenomenon in the context of increasingly intense, long and recurring droughts under the effect of climate change. In this context, the objectives of this thesis subject consist in developing and applying numerical modeling technique to support and optimize adaptation solutions with regard to the Shrinkage-Swelling phenomenon according to the scientific program carried out at three scales: the laboratory test scale on small samples, the intermediate scale of an instrumented environmental chamber WABox (Weather AdapBox) and the building scale.
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