Post-doctorant.e en géotechniques F/H

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Mission

Project Context

This postdoctoral position is offered as part of the European SIRIMA project (Sinkhole Hazard and Risk Management in Post-Mining Areas), funded by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS-2023). The SIRIMA project aims to enhance knowledge and expertise regarding uncontrolled ground movements, particularly sinkholes in post-mining areas, and to reduce the associated risks. These sinkholes pose a real threat to buildings, technical infrastructure, roads and other utility facilities, while also endangering public safety, causing anxiety and stress.The SIRIMA project partners include the Central Mining Institute (GIG, Poland), INERIS (France), BRGM (France), DMT-LB (Germany), SRK S.A. (Poland), the Institute of Rock Mechanics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland), Subterra Ingenieria (Spain), Université de Lorraine (France), and GEODERIS (France).

Project Description

In a risk management approach, it is essential to assess and map the level of risk of structures exposed to ground movements related to mining activities, in order to distinguish those with an acceptable level of risk from those requiring a reinforced monitoring and mitigation of their vulnerability.

The study of consequences of ground movements on structures and infrastructures (buildings, buried pipelines, etc.) requires considering the phenomena of soil-structure interaction. These phenomena have been studied using different approaches: numerical, analytical and physical models (El Kahi et al., 2020- 1-2-3; Basmaji et al., 2017; Cai et al., 2017; Saeidi et al., 2025-1-2; Serhal et al., 2016). However, existing studies are faced with the difficulty of taking into account numerous uncertainties related to models and measurements which nevertheless have major effects on the final results. This makes it difficult to apply existing results and methods to real situations as an operational and engineering assessment approach. Thus, the consideration of uncertainties in the study of the vulnerability of structures affected by ground movements will constitute one of the originalities and scientific contribution of the project.

This project aims to study the interaction between structures and ground movements, in order to improve risk prevention and reduce the associated consequences. The research will be based on numerical modelling coupled with numerous observations of ground movements (mainly sinkholes) conducted in different European basins. More specifically, we are interested in the study of soil-structure interaction phenomena (ISS) which consider the rigidity of the ground and that of the structure (buildings and buried pipelines) to better assess the movements transmitted to the structure and their consequences (malfunctions or damage). The idea is to end up with a simple but valid model allowing to study many configurations, to carry out sensitivity studies and to evaluate the influence of uncertainties on the results. The results will be valued by means of the development of fragility curves which constitute an operational approach to assess damages in a context of uncertainty (Serhal et al., 2016).

Deadline for submitting your online application: January 6th, 2025

Start date of the project: March/April 2025

Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension for a second year

How to apply: https://forms.gle/XivUayGZq2jwAksh9

Profil

Required education level: PhD in civil-geotechnical engineering

Research field: Civil Engineering, Geotechnics, Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis

Eligibility criteria: as our laboratory is classified as a “sensitive laboratory with reinforced protection”,

the final recruitment of the selected candidate will be subject to the acceptance of his/her administrative

file by the Security and Defense Project Manager.

Required languages: English (Advanced), French (Intermediate)

Selection process: the required documents for the online application include an updated Curriculum

Vitae (CV), one or two recommendation letters, and the abstract of your PHD thesis. An interview of

selected candidates will be organized during January-February 2025