ALERT Workshop 2021 – Call for abstracts

The ALERT Workshop 2021 (31st Edition) should be held in Aussois from 27th to 29th September, 2021. Abstracts can now be submitted. Please submit your abstracts by email directly to the coordinators using the Workshop abstract form (doc). If you wish to publish your presentation after the Workshop on the ALERT website, do not forget to agree by ticking the corresponding box in the abstract form.

Since time for the presentations is limited, only a part of the submitted abstracts can be chosen for the oral presentations. Therefore, we invite you to submit your abstract as soon as possible. The presentation can also be submitted as a poster. The abstracts of the posters will be published in a separate booklet (ISSN registered).

The deadline for the abstract submission is May 17, 2021. For any communication about your participation to the workshops, please contact the coordinators of the workshop sessions directly.

Note that if the sanitary situation does not allow us to meet in Aussois at the end of September 2021, the workshop will not be postponed again but will be held online.

ALERT Geomaterials Workshop 2021

From September 27 to September 29 (hopefully in Aussois, possibly online).

Session 1 “Forecasting landslide displacements”  

Coordinators: Sabatino Cuomo (UniSa), Jean Vaunat (CIMNE), Núria M. Pinyol (UPC)

Dear Colleagues,

the Workshop is organized in the framework of the agreement between ALERT Geomaterials and the international LARAM School (LAndslide Risk Assessment and Mitigation, University of Salerno).

Geomechanics-driven models will be presented, including issues like incrementally non-linear behaviour of soil, hydro-mechanical coupling, weathering process, rate- and thermal effects. These models are widely applied for slope analysis at local scale, especially for back-analysis of failures, individuation of the key factors for failure, investigation of triggering mechanisms, modelling of post-failure and tempo-spatial evolution of slopes. Contributions about small-strain approaches for cohesive soils, large-displacements approaches for slope failures evolving into flows, or landslide propagation analysis are welcome.

Engineering-oriented procedures will also presented in the context of landslide risk theory to provide relevant information for early-warning systems, urban planning maps, countermeasures against landslide movement and land control tools operational, both at slope scale and over wide areas.

The two classes of tools are really complementary and they should be ideally integrated to effectively tackle the forecasting of landslide displacements. And, in fact the Workshop aims at reinforcing the links between the scholars coming from ALERT and LARAM communities.

DEADLINE: 20 June 2021 to send title and abstract of presentations (only abstract respecting the format suggested by ALERT, can be accepted).

SUBMISSION: please send your abstract to: scuomo@unisa.it

Best regards, see you in Aussois

Sabatino, Jean and Nuria


Session 2 “ Machine Learning and Geomechanics ”  

Coordinators: Ioannis Stefanou (EC-Nantes) and Felix Darve (3SR)

Machine Learning (ML) is a promising ensemble of mathematical tools and methods that have already lead to astonishing results in science and technology.

The objective of this session is to demonstrate that machine learning can be used to bypass some of the current limitations of several experimental and numerical methods in the field of geomaterials, geomechanics and more generally in solid mechanics.

There is hope that this new approach may lead to more realistic, physics-based models with several applications in geo-energy resources (e.g. geothermal energy, oil and gaz extraction, …), in nuclear waste disposal, in CO2 sequestration, and in the prediction and prevention of natural risks (e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, rockfalls, snow avalanches, debris flows, …).

The session will consist of invited talks only. Renowned invited speakers will share their experience on ML showing the large perspectives of the method in solid mechanics and geomechanics.


Session 3 “Bridging the gap between experiments and modelling: from laboratory testing to material models prediction” 

Coordinators: Béatrice Baudet (b.baudet@ucl.ac.uk) (University College London, U.K.), Federica Cotecchia (federica.cotecchia@poliba.it) (Politecnico di Bari, Italy), Cristina Jommi (cristina.jommi@polimi.it) (Politecnico di Milano, Italy) and (C.Jommi@tudelft.nl) (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)

At this point in time, when soil laboratory testing has advanced to the extent that we can determine the contact behaviour between two sand grains and coarse soils can be modelled at the microscale with realistic particle properties, it may be a good time to pause and ask: are we modelling real internal processes for either coarse or fine soils? This day session attempts to address this issue.

The sub-sessions will concern the laboratory testing providing evidence of a micro to macro behavioural framework. Both consolidated soils, either coarse or fine, whose structure developed through sedimentation and consolidation in saturated conditions and compacted soils, deposited and loaded in partially saturated conditions, are of interest. The afternoon sub-sessions will be focused on the modelling of micro- and macro-processes, including the differences between the micro-structure of consolidated and compacted soils, which will be emphasized with experimental data to serve as platform for the modelling. Examples of how some of that evidence is integrated in modelling should be provided. The morning and afternoon sessions will be centred around two invited lectures each, complemented by selected presentations. Extra discussion time will be scheduled.

Three sub-sessions are foreseen: 1. Experimental evidence of physical processes in soils and their experimental characterisation; 2. Modelling micromechanical properties and processes with discrete mechanics; 3. Continuum modelling of micromechanical processes with macromechanics. The modelling sessions should focus on models that actively account for experimental observations.

The organisers would like to invite you to participate in one of the sessions above in the form of a 20-minute presentation.

DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION: Abstracts are invited to be submitted to the organisers by 20 June 2021 (respecting the format suggested by ALERT). Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to give a presentation within the appropriate mini-session. 

PhD offer on granular materials under cyclic loading at Université Gustave Eiffel

We are looking for a PhD Student to collaborate with us on a project combining discrete element simulation and centrifuge modeling of cyclic loading of granular materials entitled:

Study of the behavior of granular materials under cyclic loading

under the supervision of  Riccardo Artoni, Patrick Richard, Bogdan Cazacliu, Luc Thorel, Matthieu Blanc a the Gustave Eiffel University (campus of Nantes)

Here’s the thesis offer: https://gpem.univ-gustave-eiffel.fr/fileadmin/redaction/GPEM/jobs/PhD_offer_granular_cyclic.pdf 

The application (available here: https://www.ifsttar.fr/offres-theses/sujet.php?num=2474&num_session=1 ) is open until the 23rd april 2021.

Please contact us before applying online.

Faculty Positions in Geotechnical Engineering at the National University of Singapore

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in Geotechnical Engineering, on areas related to Urban Sustainable Development and Climate Change. The candidate should hold a doctorate in civil engineering, preferably with background and experience in, but not limited to, one or more of the following geotechnical domain expertise: underground space, land creation, sustainable geo-materials and coastal resilience. Additional skills and knowledge in data analytics and machine learning will be highly advantageous. Relevant industry experience and professional qualifications (e.g. professional engineer) will be considered favorably. The opening is at the Assistant Professor or Lecturer level. Exceptionally well qualified applicants may be considered at the Associate Professor level.

More information in this attachment.

Assistant Professor in Offshore Geotechnics (Durham University, UK)

Ref: ENGI21-51

The Department of Engineering at Durham University is currently undergoing a period of strategic growth and is looking to fill nine new academic posts across a range of specialisations at various academic levels. We welcome applications from outstanding individuals with research and teaching interests in the following areas:

  • Offshore Geotechnics – Assistant Professor grade 7/8

This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding, unified Engineering Department which is recognised as being one of the very best in the UK, with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. In the REF2014 exercise, 90% of the Engineering outputs were graded 3* or 4*, and Durham was ranked 4th in the UK for impact in the General Engineering unit of assessment. The Department is committed to an ethos of research-led teaching at all levels of our taught programmes. Durham University was ranked 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2021, 6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 and 7th in The Complete University Guide 2021 for General Engineering. We were ranked 2nd in Engineering behind only Cambridge, in a recent Institute for Fiscal Studies report on the difference in graduate earnings by UK university choice.

Continue reading

2 joint PhD scholarships “Cyclic soil-structure interaction framework for the foundations of offshore renewable energy structures” (KU Leuven & University of Melbourne)

Positions open until filled. Students can start immediately. Recruitment process deadline is August 2021.

If you are interested please submit a complete academic CV, transcripts, proof of English Language, contact details of three references, expected graduation date and a motivation letter in a single pdf.

PhD 1: Soil-structure interaction framework for monopiles in sand under cyclic loading (approx. 3 years at KU Leuven, 1 year at University of Melbourne) Contact: Dr George Anoyatis, KU Leuven  george.anoyatis@kuleuven.be

For more information: https://melkul.research.unimelb.edu.au/2020/10/16/soil-structure-interaction-framework-for-monopiles-in-sand-under-cyclic-loading/

PhD 2. Soil-structure interaction framework for plate anchors in sand under cyclic loading (approx. 3 years at University of Melbourne, 1 year at KU Leuven) Contact: Dr Shiaohuey Chow, University of Melbourne  shiaohuey.chow@unimelb.edu.au 

For more information: https://melkul.research.unimelb.edu.au/2020/10/16/soil-structure-interaction-framework-for-plate-anchors-in-sand-under-cyclic-loading-2/  

PhD position (University Gustave Eiffel – Nantes) on Soil reinforcement by rigid inclusions

We are looking for a PhD Student to collaborate with us on a project entitled:

Soil reinforcement by rigid inclusions: effect of complex surface loading – centrifuge and numerical modelling

supervised by Thibault Badinier, Luc Thorel and Matthieu Blanc at the Gustave Eiffel University (Nantes campus).

The application is open until the 23rd april 2021.

More details and application at the link below
https://www.ifsttar.fr/offres-theses/sujet.php?num=2425&num_session=1&ver=an

14th Euroconference on Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics -Abstract submission

Dear colleagues,

I hope you are keeping well!

The 14th Euroconference on Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics will be in Scotland from the 30th of August to the 3rd of September 2021. Given COVID19 (travel restrictions and lockdown measures), the conference will take place virtually.

The session themes are:

  1. Subsurface deformation processes: from fracturing to friction and beyond
  2. Thermo-chemo-hydro-mechanical coupling
  3. Non-destructive testing in rock mechanics and rock physics
  4. Visualising and quantifying rock deformation and multi-phase flow interactions
  5. From lab to field: scaling relationships
  6. Energy storage: CO2, H, cold/heat
  7. Energy Extraction: shallow/deep geothermal, oil/gas
  8. UKGEOS: case studies and on-going research
  9. Open session on Rock Mechanics and Rock Physics

The abstract submission is now open. To submit your abstract, please follow the instructions that can be found in our website: https://www.euroconference2021.org/

During the following days, our website will be populated with all other useful information related to the 14th Euroconference on Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics.

See you all (virtually) on the 30th of August for a fascinating week of science!

Best wishes,

Elma (On behalf of the organising committee)

12th ALERT Olek Zienkiewicz course. 18-20 May 2021 (+ 13 & 20 April), Online.

The 12th ALERT Olek Zienkiewicz course 2021: Looking into the rhizosphere: the interface between plant science and soil mechanics will be held online on 18-20 May 2021. It is organised in five sessions. The course will be preceded by preparatory lectures organised in four sessions over two day, 13 & 20 April 2021.

The course is organised by the Alliance of Laboratories in Europe for Education, the University of Strathclyde (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering),
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Department of Geotechnical Engineering & Geosciences), CIMNE (Geomechanics Group) and TERRE Network. The course is coordinated by Alessandro Tarantino (University of Strathclyde) and Enrique Romero (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).  

More information on the organisation of the course in this attachment.

The course is free of charge for participants affiliated to institutions member of ALERT Geomaterials. The web platform to register is not yet opened but registrations can already be made by email (see attachment above).

Thesis proposal on Particulate Materials under Compaction (Université de Montpellier, France)

The compaction of particulate materials is one of the most important industrial processes. It is used to manufacture net or near-net shape components with complex geometries and high tolerance, and with souhaitable strength. The compaction process transforms a loose particulate material into a compacted product with a higher density.

The PhD thesis will take place at the Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil (LMGC)-CNRSUniversité de Montpellier-France in collaboration with the INRAE Montpellier and the University of Leeds. Highly motivated candidates with a master’s degree in physics or mechanics, or graduated from an engineering school, and interested in numerical modelling are encouraged to apply.

More information in this attachment.