Opening position for a Researcher: Numerical modelling in geotechnics

Job description: The successful candidate will develop research in numerical modelling of soil-structure interaction under complex loadings including dynamics. Fundamental and numerical studies will be developed in relation with experimental studies performed in Laboratoire Navier and by outside partners. In addition to the development of classical techniques for numerical modelling of materials and structures (FEM, BEM, FFT, …), the valorization of big data gathered from the monitoring of geotechnical structures will be a priority area of research. This includes the development of new tools based on artificial intelligence systems for modelling and design in geotechnics.

These research activities will make use of advanced numerical methods and will be oriented towards applications to underground structures, foundation engineering, resilience of geotechnical structures, effect of multiphysics couplings on the behavior of geomaterials (partial saturation, thermal effects, …).

The selected researcher will show a strong commitment in developing industrial partnerships and in setting up European and national research projects. He will also participate to consultant and expert activities in geotechnics.

Abstract of the ALERT Special Lecture 2019

Growth of slip surfaces (life is dangerous)

Alexander M. Puzrin, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Growing slip surfaces are commonly encountered in the mechanisms of many natural geo-hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, snow avalanches, tsunamis, etc.. The talk will explore the basic mechanics of progressive and catastrophic slip surface growth in a slope using recent advances in experimental, analytical and numerical approaches. Importance of the proper understanding of this phenomenon will be illustrated via the following three novel applications: (i) defining influence zones for terrestrial landslides, (ii) relating geomorphology of submarine landslides to their tsunami generating potential, and (iii) exploring plausibility of a delayed release for earthquake-triggered snow avalanches. In the process, it will be demonstrated how the slip surface growth can negatively affect life of an ordinary citizen.

Alexander M. Puzrin is Professor and Chair of Geotechnical Engineering at the ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He is engaged in the constitutive modeling of geomaterials and the analysis of progressive and catastrophic failure in soils, with applications to onshore and offshore slope stability problems.  His other interests are in development of novel sensor technologies for geotechnical monitoring and in assessment and mitigation of geotechnical eco-hazards. Professor Puzrin has been involved as an expert and consultant in large-scale onshore and offshore geotechnical projects in the UK, the US, Switzerland, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Israel. His research papers received multiple awards from the UK Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). He served as the Editor of Géotechnique in 2012–2015.

Open Geomechanics is open and ready to receive submissions

Open Geomechanics — a peer reviewed, non-profit, open-access journal in geomechanics run by geomechanics researchers — is open and inviting publications.

https://opengeomechanics.centre-mersenne.org/

High quality research submissions (in any geomechanics related topics such as analytical, numerical or experimental studies) or case studies, negative results, as well reproducibility studies are welcome.

If you believe that the large publishing houses are exploiting their positions of power, and believe in free and open communication of scientific results, please support this young journal in its early  days and submit your next paper to us.

PhD fellowship in rock physics models for improved 4D seismic interpretation

We have a vacancy for a 3 years PhD Fellowship at Department of Geoscience and Petroleum (IGP), NTNU. The work will be a part of the project: Improved prediction of stress and pore-pressure changes in the overburden for infill drilling at SINTEF’s Department of Petroleum, that is supported by the industry and the Research Council. The main objective of this project is to provide calibrated rock-mechanical and rock-physical models for overburden rocks for prediction of stress- and pore-pressure changes in the overburden of a depleting reservoir.

Follow the link for more information:

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/165157/phd-fellowship-in-rock-physics-models-for-improved-4d-seismic-interpretation-iv-97-19

First call for papers for E-UNSAT 2020, the 4th European Conference on Unsaturated Soils

Dear colleague,


This is the first call for papers for E-UNSAT 2020, the 4th European Conference on Unsaturated Soils: https://eunsat2020.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/

The conference will be hosted at IST, in Lisbon, Portugal, from 24 to 26 June 2020. It is supported by the Technical Committee 106 of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering on Unsaturated Soils.

Continue reading

Tenth International Symposium on Land Subsidence (TISOLS), 20 – 24 April 2020, Delft – Gouda, The Netherlands

The Tenth International Symposium on Land Subsidence (TISOLS) will take place in Delft and Gouda, the Netherlands, from 20 to 24 April 2020.

TISOLS is organized under the auspices of the Unesco IHP Land Subsidence International Initiative. This working group has endeavored to improve and disseminate knowledge on land subsidence since the 1970s, through International Symposia on Land Subsidence, collaborative projects and publications.

TISOLS2020 intends to bring together 300+ international experts to share the latest research and insights on natural and anthropogenic land-level lowering.

The Call for Abstracts has just been published and is available at the symposium website.

Deadlines

    Abstract submission:                               March 31, 2019

    Letters of Acceptance sent:                    May 2019

    Full paper submission deadline:          September 1, 2019

Research fellow position in modeling of mass movements at IRSTEA Grenoble (France)

Dear colleagues,

IRSTEA is the French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture.

The ETNA research unit in Grenoble, specialized in the prevention of natural hazards in mountain environments (avalanches, snowdrift, torrential floods and debris flows, rock-falls, glacial hazards), invites applications for a permanent researcher position (research fellow) in multiscale mechanical modeling of gravity-driven mass movements.

All details concerning the position and application procedures are available at this link.

Best regards,

Guillaume Chambon.

2 PhD positions in the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems. The University of Western Australia

Predicting foundation response for offshore wind turbines Supervised by Britta Bienen, Conleth O’Loughlin

The aim of this research is to predict the installation and in service response of suction buckets supporting offshore wind turbines. This foundation concept is now being adopted in offshore wind farm designs. Following self-weight penetration into the seabed, the bucket is installed by pumping water out of the bucket, which creates a pressure differential across the lid and drives further penetration. In service, the foundation needs to resist the cyclic loading imposed on the turbine from the ocean environment. The mechanisms of suction installation (in layered soils in particular) and the effects of the installation process on the soil state are poorly understood. The evolution of foundation stiffness and displacement underpin the design. The research will be predominantly experimental, utilising recently developed purposedesigned experimental facilities. The project is a collaboration with Lloyd’s Register EMA and Melbourne University.

More information in the attachment:

Postdoctoral position on Acoustic metamaterials for geomechanics

Applications are invited for a postdoc position at the University of Twente (Netherlands), within the Multiscale Mechanics group. We are seeking an enthusiastic researcher with interests in geomechanics, acoustics and/or computer modelling to work on Optimization of acoustic metamaterials using DEM and Machine Learning, founded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The position is for 1 year, starting as soon as possible.More information and application link in the website