- Contact: apply here
- Location: Research Institute in Civil and Mechanical Engineering (GeM) – SAINT-NAZAIRE • Loire-Atlantique, France
- Duration: 36 months
Job description
Thesis topic
Following on from the MATARUN project, this research will focus on characterising a wide range of formulations made from different types of local soils, with the aim of establishing a multifactorial model linking the intrinsic properties of the soils, the formulation parameters and the expected overall performance of the resulting material.
The experimental and numerical work will form the core of the thesis and will draw on the complementary expertise of the two partner laboratories. The work will be structured around two main scientific parts:
(1) Part one – Modelling the properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) from experimental data
The results of the previous experimental tasks (T1a & T1b), supplemented by the many studies available in the literature and within the CNRS JRP AI4EB project, will form a structured database. This database will link, as input variables, soil types and formulations (composition, type of binder, fibre content, degree of compaction, particle size distribution) to the performance indicators measured at block scale (thermo-hygro-mechanical properties).
This database will be used to identify a reliable predictive model with a low computational cost, able to estimate CEB properties from the composition of Reunion Island soils and the type of stabiliser considered. Artificial intelligence methods (supervised and unsupervised learning, generative models) will be used to study the non-linear interactions between formulation variables and observed performance.
(2) Part two – Numerical modelling of hygrothermal behaviour at building scale
The outputs of model 1 (hygrothermal properties of the CEB) will then be fed, together with weather files representative of the main microclimates of Reunion Island (hot coastal areas, temperate mid-altitude areas and cool high-altitude areas), into a numerical design of experiments developed with EnergyPlus.
This model will be used to assess the hygrothermal behaviour of the building and occupant comfort at the scale of a single zone, by simulating the interactions between material properties and indoor air temperature / relative humidity (T_air, RH_air). This step will establish a hierarchical relationship between material properties and the overall thermal behaviour of the single-zone building, thus providing a link between the on-site observations under real conditions (T2) and the simulated conditions of use.
A numerical database will be generated from this design of experiments and analysed with generative artificial intelligence tools in order to simulate building behaviour from CEB properties and climatic conditions. Sensitivity analyses and multi-objective optimisations (performance, durability, environmental footprint) may be carried out to improve the robustness and transferability of the model.
The final model will provide predictive, context-specific formulations adapted to the soil type, the microclimate and the manufacturing process considered.
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Candidates must hold an engineering degree and/or a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science or Environmental Engineering.
The position requires solid knowledge of the physico-chemical and mechanical characterisation of construction materials, as well as good oral and written communication skills. A good command of French and English is required to present the research at conferences and to write articles for scientific journals.
We are looking for a motivated and curious young researcher, able to work independently and strongly committed to their research project.
The candidate must also be able to work effectively as part of a team across two different research sites.
Applications must include:
• a detailed CV;
• at least one referee (a person who may be contacted);
• a one-page cover letter;
• a one-page summary of the Master’s thesis;
• Master 1 and/or Master 2 transcripts, or engineering school transcripts.
Your working environment
GeM is a joint research unit (UMR) of Centrale Nantes, Nantes Université and the CNRS. The laboratory was founded in 2004 and has around 240 staff spread over 3 sites in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire. Its aim is to bring together, within a single laboratory, all the expertise of the Nantes Saint-Nazaire metropolitan area in civil engineering, mechanics of materials and processes, and modelling and simulation in structural mechanics.
GeM is strongly involved in research-based training: it hosts around a hundred PhD students and runs several Master’s programmes. The research topics of its 9 Thematic Research Units (TRU) are organised around the Materials – Processes – Structures triptych. In-house expertise covers experimental techniques as well as modelling and numerical simulation.
This thesis will be carried out as part of the ASTER project (Architecture and Tropical Soils through Experimentation in Reunion Island), funded under the LORIZON 2026 call for projects. The project aims to reduce imports of construction materials to Reunion Island by promoting the use of locally available materials.
The ASTER project builds on the complementary expertise of the GeM laboratory (Nantes Université, ECN, UMR 6183) and the PIMENT laboratory (University of Reunion Island).
GeM has recognised expertise in physico-chemical and microstructural characterisation, used to assess the mechanical behaviour and durability of construction materials. The laboratory also has established expertise in modelling methods, in particular multiscale approaches based on homogenisation techniques (ANR projects Demcom and MHygroTer) and artificial intelligence methods (CNRS JRP AI4EB project).
The PIMENT laboratory has extensive experience of tropical climatic conditions and of the volcanic soils of Reunion Island. For several years, it has been conducting applied research on the thermo-hygro-mechanical (THM) behaviour of walls under real conditions and on occupant comfort.
The project will be co-supervised by S. Bonnet and B. Malet-Damour, whose complementary skills converge on the valorisation of geo-sourced materials.
This thesis is strongly supported by Action Logement, with the aim of helping to address the housing crisis in Reunion Island through the use of locally available natural materials and co-products.
The PhD student will take part in international conferences related to the research topic and will publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Resources
The equipment and facilities of the two laboratories involved in the project will be made available to the recruited person to carry out their research. Travel and equipment costs will be covered by the laboratories.
Constraints and risks
The recruited person must be willing to travel between the two research sites.
Salary and benefits
Salary
Minimum gross salary of €2,300 per month
Annual leave and RTT (reduced working time days)
44 days
Teleworking practice and allowance
Teleworking practice and allowance
Transport
75% of public transport costs covered, and a sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300